Nicotine Shots

What are Nicotine Shots?

Nicotine shots are small bottles of unflavoured nicotine e-liquid designed to be added to shortfills — larger bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid that leave space for mixing. By adding nic shots, you can increase the nicotine content to your desired strength.

What’s The Difference Between Nic Salts and Nic Shots?

While both nicotine salts and nicotine shots deliver nicotine, they differ in formulation, feel, and intended use:

• Nic Salts – Provide a smoother, faster-absorbing nicotine hit, allowing for higher strengths with minimal throat irritation. They’re designed for refillable pod vapes and MTL (mouth-to-lung) devices, and are sold as pre-mixed e-liquids rather than being added to shortfills. Learn more in our guide to nic salts. 
• Nic Shots – Contain flavourless freebase nicotine used to increase the strength of shortfill e-liquids. They deliver a sharper throat hit and a more traditional vaping sensation, making them ideal for DTL (direct-to-lung) devices. Nic shots also offer greater control over nicotine strength and VG/PG ratios when mixing your own e-liquid.

How Strong is a Nicotine Shot?

Nicotine shots usually come in 10mg, 18mg and 20mg per 10ml bottle. When added to a shortfill, the final nicotine strength depends on the ratio of shortfill liquid to nic shot volume. For example, adding one 18mg nic shot to 50ml shortfill results in a 3mg strength e-liquid.

Nicotine Shot VG/PG Ratios

Each nicotine shot contains a specific VG/PG ratio, which affects how your e-liquid feels, tastes, and vapourises. Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is a thicker, smoother liquid that produces large, dense vapour clouds with a mild throat hit — ideal for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping and sub-ohm kits. Propylene Glycol (PG), on the other hand, is a thinner liquid that carries flavour and nicotine more efficiently, creating a stronger throat hit that feels closer to smoking.

The right ratio depends on your device and personal preference:

• 50VG/50PG - Best for pod vapes and MTL vaping styles. Offers a strong flavour and cigarette-like throat hit.
• 70VG/30PG or higher - Best for sub-ohm kits and vape mods for DTL vaping. Produces smoother inhales and larger clouds.
• 60VG/40PG - A balanced option for hybrid pods for an even mix of flavour and vapour.

How to Use Nic Shots?

Nicotine shots are easy to use, simply:

1. Remove the cap from your shortfill bottle.
2. Add your chosen nic shot(s) to the shortfill.
3. Replace the cap and shake well for even distribution.
4. Allow the liquid to steep for a few hours for best results.

You can experiment by combining freebase and nic salt shots for a tailored hit — for instance, half nic salt for smoothness and half freebase for a more pronounced throat hit.

How Many Nic Shots Do I Need?

The number of nicotine shots you’ll need depends on three factors — your shortfill size, your desired nicotine strength, and the strength of your nic shots. Here’s a little guide on the achieving the most common desired strengths:

For 100ml shortfills:

• 4 x 10mg nic shots or 2 x 18-20mg nic shots typically create a 3mg e-liquid 
• 8 x 10mg nic shots or 4 x 18-20mg nic shots typically create a 6mg e-liquid 
• 12 x 10mg nic shots or 6 x 18-20mg nic shots typically create a 9mg e-liquid 
• 16 x 10mg nic shots or 8 x 18-20mg nic shots typically create a 12mg e-liquid 

For 50ml shortfills:

• 1 nic shot of 10mg, 18mg, or 20mg typically creates a 3mg e-liquid
• For a stronger hit (6mg or above), you’ll need 2 or more nic shots

If you’re wondering how many nic shots for 100ml to make 20mg, it’s not recommended — 20mg is the maximum legal nicotine strength for standard e-liquids in the UK and is far too strong to mix into large shortfills. Instead, opt for pre-mixed nic salts, which are specifically designed to deliver high nicotine levels with a smooth, satisfying throat hit in a compact, user-friendly format.

How Long Do Nicotine Shots Last?

A 10ml bottle of nicotine shot will usually last 1-2 weeks on average once mixed into your shortfill, depending on how often you vape and the size of your tank. For the best results, use any opened nicotine shots within two to three months.

Each bottle is marked with a best-before date, showing how long the nicotine will retain its full strength, flavour quality, and clarity. Over time, exposure to air, light, or heat can cause oxidation — this may darken the liquid and slightly reduce its nicotine potency. Even so, darkened nic shots are generally safe to use, though fresh bottles deliver better flavour and a smoother nicotine hit. For long-term storage, keep nic shots sealed tightly and away from direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain quality for as long as possible.

Find the Perfect Nicotine Shot for Your Vape

At Vapourcore, we only stock premium, TPD-compliant nic shots from trusted UK brands. Whether you prefer icy freshness, smooth nic salts, or classic freebase formulations, our range has everything you need to customise your vape exactly how you like it. Browse our complete collection above or contact our expert team for personalised recommendations, and enjoy free tracked delivery on orders over £25.