At Make My Vape, nicotine shots are incredibly popular with our MMV community and it’s easy to see why. They’re simple, versatile and an essential part of the vaping process, some could say this is very basic introduction to DIY vaping. In this blog, we’re giving you the complete guide to everything you need to know about nicotine shots.
Nicotine shots, often called nic shots, are an essential part of vaping especially in the UK, where shortfill e-liquids are a firm favourite for High VG vaping for vapers wanting e-liquid with nicotine in larger bottles than prefilled 10mls. While Nic Shots are small in size, nic shots play a big role in helping you tailor your e-liquid to your ideal strength and style.
Whether you’re brand new to this or just want to refresh your knowledge, this guide will cover what nic shots are, the different strengths and types available and exactly how to use them.
A nicotine shot is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine liquid designed to be added to larger bottles of nicotine free e-liquid, like shortfills and longfills. Shortfills typically contain flavoured e-liquid, while longfills contain only flavour concentrate, giving you more freedom to mix your base and nicotine just how you like it.
Nic shots are a quick and safe way to add nicotine to your vape without affecting the flavour. They're usually made with propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG) or a blend of both, depending on the kind of vape experience you prefer. For example, PG provides more throat hit and carries flavour better, while VG gives a smoother vape with thicker clouds.
A common mix is a 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle. Add one 10ml nicotine shot at 18mg strength and you’ll end up with a 60ml e-liquid at 3mg, a favourite among sub-ohm vapers who enjoy high VG e-liquids.
If you're vaping mouth to lung (MTL) and prefer higher strengths, nic salt shots might be a better fit. Please check out our extensive collection of Longfill e-liquids. We have Make My Vape Nicotine Shot bundles and Nixer longfills and nixer Nic Shot bundles. These bundles are simple: Choose your Longfill, choose your desired nicotine shots and mix together well. For direct to lung (DTL) vaping with bigger clouds and smoother hits, freebase nic shots in VG or a VG heavy mix are the go to.
Freebase Nicotine Shots
18mg Nicotine Shots in PG 10 Pack
18mg Nicotine Shots in 30PG/70VG 10 Pack
18mg Nicotine Shots in VG 10 Pack
18mg Nicotine Shot in PG 10ml
18mg Nicotine Shot in 30PG/70VG 10ml
18mg Nicotine Shot in VG 10 Pack
15mg NIC NIC Nicotine Shots in 70VG/30PG 10ml
Ice Nicotine Shots
18mg Cool Shots 18MG 50VG 10mg
Fizz Nicotine Shots
18mg Fizz Nic Nicotine Shots
Nicotine Salts Shots
20mg Nicotine Salts Shot in 50VG/50PG 10ml 10 Pack
20mg Nicotine Salts Shot in 50VG/50PG 10ml
20mg NIC NIC Nicotine Salts Shot 50VG 10ml
15mg NIC NIC Nicotine Salts Shot 100VG 10ml
11mg NIC NIC Nicotine Salts Shot 50VG/50PG 10ml
Longfill Bundle Nicotine Shots
Nixer Bundles - Freebase 0mg 3mg 6mg 9mg /Nicotine Salts 10MG 5MG
Nicotine shots are not just about strength. They also differ in what they are made with. Most nic shots are blended with either PG or VG or a mix of both. Each option gives you a slightly different vaping experience.
PG is thinner in consistency and excellent at carrying flavour. It provides a more noticeable throat hit, which is often preferred by vapers who used to smoke or those who enjoy mouth to lung vaping. VG is thicker and smoother, producing bigger, denser clouds and a much gentler inhale. It is the go to for direct to lung vapers and anyone who wants a smoother experience.
If you are looking for strong flavour and a more intense throat hit, PG based nic shots are a great option. If you prefer a softer vape with lots of vapour, VG based nic shots are the better choice. For those who want the best of both worlds, many vapers go for a fifty fifty blend that offers a good balance between flavour, throat hit and vapour production.
Even though nicotine shots are far less concentrated than pure nicotine, it is still important to handle them with care. Always store them in a cool and dark place away from sunlight, and most importantly, keep them out of reach of children and pets. If you mix e-liquid often or work with multiple bottles at once, it is worth wearing gloves just to avoid any contact with your skin. It is also a good habit to keep all your bottles clearly labelled, especially if you are storing nicotine alongside concentrates and base liquids.
Being safe with your nic shots ensures that you can keep experimenting and creating without any worry. A few small precautions go a long way when it comes to handling nicotine.
Nicotine shots might be small bottles, but they are one of the most important tools in DIY vaping. Whether you use freebase, nic salts or ice shots, and whether you prefer PG, VG or a mix of both, knowing how to choose and use nic shots properly makes a big difference to your vaping experience.
Take your time getting familiar with different strengths, types and blends. Play around until you find your ideal mix. The great thing about DIY vaping is that you are always in control. With the right nic shot and a bit of mixing knowledge, you can make your vape exactly how you want it.
Feel free to use our much loved Make My Vape E-Liquid Calculator if you need to confirm what you need to mix
