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Which one should you buy?

For most home cooks, a little angled measuring cup beats a traditional jigger: it's easier to read, easier to pour and costs less than a cocktail. Here's what I'd point you to:

A cocktail is a recipe, and like any recipe it works when the balance is right. Too much spirit and it's harsh. Too much juice and it's flat. Too much sugar and it's pudding. Measuring takes the guesswork out, and your drinks taste the same every time.

It's also the responsible way to make a drink. When you measure, you know exactly how much is in the glass, for you and for your guests. Free-pouring looks flash on telly, but at home a measure is your friend.

Why a measuring cup beats a jigger at home

A traditional jigger is a little double-ended metal cup, often with one side for a larger measure and the other for a smaller one. They look smart, but they have a few habits that drive home bartenders mad. Many have faint lines or none at all. Narrow mouths make it easy to miss. And when you flip from one end to the other, they drip or flick spirit across the counter.

The OXO cup isn't a traditional jigger. It's a tiny measuring cup that holds 2 ounces, and the markings sit on an angled ramp inside. That means you can read them from above as you pour, without crouching down to eye level with the counter. The lines are big and bold, and there are marks for ¼, ½ and ¾ ounce, which is exactly what most cocktail recipes call for.

The newer version also has the markings sealed in so they don't fade after lots of washes, which was a weakness of older ones.

OXO Mini Angled Measuring Cup at a glance

What to look for in a jigger

• Bold markings inside. You should be able to read them at a glance, including ¼, ½ and ¾ ounce.

• A wide mouth. At least 2 inches across, so you're not dribbling gin down the side.

• Readable from above. Angled markings mean no bending down.

• Accurate lines. A measure is only useful if it's right.

• Survives the dishwasher. Printed lines that wash off are no use to anyone.

The OXO cup does all of this for less than the price of a cocktail in a bar.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You're new to making cocktails and want them right every time

• You want a measure you can read without squinting

• You'd like a little measuring cup for the kitchen too

Skip it if

• You want the classic metal bar look: go for the OXO SteeL, or a bartender-style double jigger like the Cocktail Kingdom Leopold (about $20), which is beautifully balanced but has no numbers on its lines

• You're making drinks for a crowd at speed and already know your way round a double jigger

How to get the best from it

Set it down to pour

Stand the cup on the counter and pour to the line, reading it from above. It's steadier than holding a jigger in mid-air.

Know your conversions

1 ounce is 2 tablespoons, or about 30 ml. ½ ounce is 1 tablespoon, or about 15 ml. ¾ ounce is 1½ tablespoons. Handy when a recipe gives one and your tool shows another.

Sticky stuff last

Measure syrups and liqueurs last, so they don't leave a sticky coating that throws off the next pour. A quick rinse between ingredients keeps things accurate.

Use it in the kitchen

It's brilliant for small amounts of vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce or vanilla, where a tablespoon too much spoils the dish.

Cleaning and safety

• Dishwasher safe. Top rack is best.

• Rinse straight after syrups so sugar doesn't dry in the corners.

• Check the lines now and then. If they ever start to fade, it's time for a new one.

The one rule

Measure every drink. Your cocktails will taste better and you'll always know what you're pouring.

Questions people ask

How many tablespoons are in an ounce?

Two. One fluid ounce is 2 tablespoons, or about 30 ml.

Is a measuring cup as accurate as a jigger?

A good one is just as accurate, and easier to read. That's why I'd choose this over a lot of traditional jiggers.

Single or double jigger?

For home, I'd go for a single measure with clear lines. Double jiggers tend to drip when you flip them from end to end.

Can I use a shot glass instead?

In a pinch, but most have few or no markings, so getting ½ or ¾ ounce right is guesswork.

Mix with it first

My Classic Margarita, then the Best Classic Cocktail Recipes.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.