UK law limits nicotine-containing e-liquid to 10ml per bottle and 20mg/ml maximum strength. That rule makes sense for nic salts and small-format liquids, but it creates a problem for anyone who vapes at higher volumes. Buying twenty 10ml bottles to get through a month of sub-ohm vaping would be absurd.
Shortfills solved that by selling flavoured e-liquid without nicotine in larger bottles, 50ml or 100ml, with deliberate headroom left at the top. Nic shots are the other half of that equation.
A separate 10ml product, fully TPD compliant on its own, containing just nicotine in a plain base. You buy the two together, mix at home, and end up with a large bottle of nicotine e-liquid without anyone breaking the rules.
Clever workaround. Completely legal. And the standard way that most sub-ohm vapers in the UK get their liquid.
Nicotine Shot Mixing Guide: How Many Do You Need?
This is the part that puts people off. It should not. There are really only three numbers you need.
One nic shot (10ml of 18mg) into a 50ml shortfill = 60ml at 3mg/ml. That is the most common combination in UK vaping. One shot, one shortfill, done.
Two nic shots into a 100ml shortfill = 120ml at 3mg/ml. Same ratio, bigger bottle.
Two nic shots into a 50ml shortfill = 70ml at roughly 5.1mg/ml. Some 50ml shortfills come in a 75ml bottle specifically to accommodate two shots for vapers who want a higher strength. Check the bottle size before you buy.
Do you want 6mg? You need a shortfill that leaves room for enough nic shots. A 40ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle plus two 18mg shots gives you 60ml at 6mg. Not every brand does this, but some offer "double shot" shortfills designed for exactly this purpose.
If the maths still feels fiddly, most shortfill bottles print the target strength on the label alongside how many shots to add. Follow the label. It is already calculated for you.
One edge case worth knowing: if your nic shot is 20mg/ml instead of 18mg, the final strengths come out slightly higher. One 20mg shot in a 50ml shortfill gives about 3.3mg instead of 3mg. Small difference. Noticeable if you are sensitive to it, irrelevant if you are not.
Should You Choose a VG or PG Nic Shot?
Nic shots come in different base ratios, and which one you choose affects the final consistency of your mixed liquid.
VG-based nic shots (typically 70/30 or 100% VG). These keep the final blend thick, which is what you want if you are adding them to a 70/30 shortfill for sub-ohm use. The nic shot matches the viscosity of the shortfill, so the mixed liquid behaves the same way in your tank. This is the most common type sold in the UK.
PG-based nic shots. Thinner. Adding a PG nic shot to a VG-heavy shortfill will thin the overall blend slightly. Barely noticeable with one shot in a 100ml bottle. More noticeable with two shots in a 50ml. Some vapers specifically prefer this because they want a tiny bit more throat hit and flavour sharpness from the added PG.
50/50 nic shots. Split down the middle. A neutral option that does not lean the final blend in either direction. Fine for most purposes.
Does it matter much in practice? Honestly, for a single shot in a large bottle, the difference is minimal. The shortfill's own ratio dominates. Where it matters more is if you are adding two or three shots to a smaller bottle, because that is a larger proportion of the total volume coming from the nic shot base.
If you are not sure, match the nic shot ratio to the shortfill ratio. VG nic shot into VG shortfill. Simple.
How to Add a Nic Shot to a Shortfill
- Unscrew the shortfill cap and remove any nozzle insert.
- Squeeze the entire nic shot bottle into the shortfill. Every drop.
- Replace the cap on the shortfill and close it tight.
- Then shake. Properly. Not a gentle swirl. Hold the bottle firmly and shake it like you mean it for a full thirty seconds. The liquid will look uneven at first, streaky or layered. That is the nic shot sitting on top of the flavoured base before it integrates. Keep going until the colour and texture look consistent throughout.
- Set the bottle down for two or three minutes. Pick it up and shake again. Another fifteen seconds or so.
Why does this matter? Because nicotine that is not evenly distributed means the first few tank fills from the bottle will be stronger than the last few. That inconsistency is not dangerous, but it is annoying. A proper shake at the start prevents it entirely.
One more thing. Do not taste-test the nic shot on its own. It is unflavoured concentrated nicotine and it tastes exactly as unpleasant as that sounds. The flavour comes from the shortfill. The nic shot is just the functional ingredient.
Nicotine Shot Strength Guide
Most nic shots in the UK are sold at 18mg/ml. Some are at 20mg/ml. The strength of the nic shot is not the strength you will vape. It is the concentration of the ingredient you are adding. The final strength depends on how much you dilute it.
Think of it like cordial. The concentrate is strong. The finished drink is not. Same principle.
Here is a quick reference:
• One 18mg shot into 50ml shortfill: 3mg final strength
• Two 18mg shots into 50ml shortfill: 5.1mg (in 70ml total)
• One 18mg shot into 100ml shortfill: 1.6mg (too low for most vapers)
• Two 18mg shots into 100ml shortfill: 3mg final strength
• One 20mg shot into 50ml shortfill: 3.3mg
• Two 20mg shots into 100ml shortfill: 3.3mg
Most sub-ohm vapers target 3mg. That is the standard. If you want higher, you need either more shots per bottle (check the shortfill has room) or a higher-concentration nic shot.
Who Are Nicotine Shots For?
Anyone buying shortfills who wants nicotine in their liquid. That is the core use case. No nic shot, no nicotine. The shortfill is 0mg on its own.
Sub-ohm vapers and DTL users. If you run a vape tank or mod at 30W or above and go through liquid quickly, shortfills plus nic shots are the most cost-effective way to vape.
Budget-conscious vapers. Buying nic shots alongside shortfills works out significantly cheaper per ml than buying pre-mixed 10ml bottles. The savings add up fast at high consumption rates.
Vapers who want precise control. Some people like choosing exactly how much nicotine goes in. Nic shots let you fine-tune by adding slightly more or less than the label suggests, within reason.
Who does not need them? Pod kit users buying 10ml nic salts. Those come pre-mixed with nicotine at 10mg or 20mg. Nothing to add, nothing to mix. If you vape nic salts from a pod kit, nic shots are not relevant to you.
How to Store Nicotine Shots Properly
Nicotine degrades over time, especially when exposed to heat, light, and air. Nic shots are concentrated, so degradation matters more here than in a pre-mixed bottle.
• Keep them sealed until you are ready to use them. The childproof cap stays on until mixing day.
• Store in a cool, dark place. A drawer. A cupboard. Not a windowsill or a car. Room temperature is fine. Fridges are not necessary unless you are storing a large quantity for months.
• If the liquid inside has turned noticeably dark, the nicotine has oxidised significantly. It will still work, but the flavour may be slightly harsher. Using nic shots within three to six months of purchase avoids this entirely.
• Keep nic shots away from children and pets. The concentration at 18mg/ml or 20mg/ml in a 10ml bottle is high enough to cause serious harm if ingested. The childproof cap is there for a reason. Store them out of reach, every time.
Every nic shot at Pirate Vapes is TPD compliant, childproof-capped, and dispatched the same day before 4pm. Free Pirate Post on orders over £40. Age-verified checkout. Over 18s only. Pair them with your shortfills and you are set.
