How to Use Nicotine Shots with Shortfills

Whether you're exploring our website or the shelves of a physical vape store, you'll see a range of e-liquid bottle sizes. Take a closer look at the larger ones, and you’ll notice they're not completely full, but don't worry, this is by design. This space is for adding nicotine shots, offering a flexible and cost-effective way to customise your nicotine intake.

Whether you are a long-time vaper seeking a more adaptable setup or someone taking their first steps away from disposable devices, understanding shortfills and nicotine shots is key to unlocking a more personalised and economical vaping experience. This guide will break down exactly what they are, how to combine them, and what you need to know to get it right the first time.

What Are Shortfills?

As mentioned above, shortfills are e-liquid bottles that are intentionally "short-filled" to leave room for you to add nicotine shots and create your preferred strength. They are available in larger quantities, often 50ml, 100ml, or even 200ml, with the empty space being specific to the bottle size. Understanding the nuances of shortfill e-liquids is key; 100ml shortfills, for example, actually come in a 120ml bottle size, containing 100ml of e-liquid, giving you 20ml to add your nic shot and achieve your desired nicotine level in a larger volume.

Shortfills gained popularity as a direct response to the UK's Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which restricted the sale of nicotine-containing e-liquids to bottles no larger than 10ml. By offering nicotine-free e-liquid in larger volumes, shortfills provide a smart workaround, giving vapers more juice for their money and the flexibility to tailor their nicotine strength to their individual needs.

What Are Nicotine Shots?

Nicotine shots (often called nic shots) are 10ml bottles of unflavoured nicotine e-liquid, typically with a strength of 18mg/ml. They're designed to be added to shortfills to produce a final mix with your desired nicotine level.

There are two main types:

• Freebase nic shots: These provide a stronger throat hit, mimicking the feel of traditional cigarettes.
• Nic salt shots: These provide a significantly smoother nicotine delivery with faster absorption into the bloodstream, making them a popular choice for vapers who find the throat hit from freebase nicotine too harsh.

Nic shots also come in different VG/PG ratios. Most shortfills are high VG (e.g. 70/30), so it’s a good idea to match the VG/PG of your nic shot to maintain the intended consistency and performance of your e-liquid.

How Much Nic Shot Do You Need?

The amount of nicotine shot(s) you’ll need to add depends on both the size of your shortfill bottle and the nicotine strength you're aiming to achieve.

Most nic shots contain 18mg/ml of nicotine, and when you add one or more of these 10ml shots to a shortfill, you're diluting that nicotine across the entire bottle volume. The more nicotine you add (or the smaller the base volume), the stronger the result.

Here’s a breakdown of typical shortfill and nic shot combinations:

Most shortfills are designed to reach 3mg/ml when topped up to their full bottle capacity (e.g. 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle + 1 shot). If you want to go higher, you'll usually need a shortfill in a larger bottle with more empty space to accommodate additional nicotine shots.

For those who consistently prefer higher nicotine strengths and want to avoid mixing, using pre-mixed 10ml bottles of e-liquid at your desired strength is the most straightforward option. Alternatively, vapers seeking complete control over their e-liquid, including nicotine strength, can explore the world of DIY mixing using flavour concentrates and nicotine base. This method offers ultimate customisation, but requires more knowledge and supplies.

Step-by-Step: How To Add Nicotine Shots to a Shortfill

Mixing your own e-liquid might sound a bit daunting at first, but it's actually a surprisingly simple process. Here’s a more detailed step-by-step guide to ensure you get it right:

1. Prepare Your Supplies

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need within easy reach:

• A shortfill bottle containing your chosen nicotine-free e-liquid.
• The correct number of nicotine shots required to achieve your desired strength.
• A piece of paper towel to clean up any accidental spills.

2. Open the Shortfill Bottle

Most shortfill bottles are designed with a removable top nozzle or nib to make adding nicotine shots easier. You can usually use your fingernails or a small, flat tool (like a bottle opener or even a butter knife) to gently pry this cap off. Take care not to apply too much force, as you don't want to damage the bottle itself.

3. Add the Nicotine Shot

Carefully open your nicotine shot bottle. Then, slowly and steadily pour the entire contents of the nic shot into the shortfill bottle. If you’re using multiple nic shots, add them all.

4. Replace the Cap and Shake Thoroughly

Once all the nicotine shots are in the shortfill, securely replace the nozzle or nib and then screw the main cap back on tightly. Now comes the important part: vigorous shaking. Shake the bottle for a good 1 to 2 minutes to ensure nicotine mixes evenly throughout the e-liquid. A thorough mix is crucial for a consistent vape.

5. Let It Steep (Optional)

While your e-liquid is technically ready to vape after a good shake, some vapers find that allowing the mixed bottle to sit (steep) for a period of 24 to 48 hours can further enhance the flavour. This is particularly recommended for more complex flavour profiles, such as dessert, cream, or tobacco blends, as it allows the different flavour molecules to fully combine and settle. Simply store the bottle in a cool, dark place during this time.

Tips for the Best Results

Here are a few key pointers to help you achieve the best possible results when mixing your shortfills and nicotine shots:

• Match VG/PG ratios: For consistent vapour and performance, use nic shots with a similar VG/PG ratio to your shortfill (e.g., 70/30 with 70/30). Using mismatched ratios can alter the final e-liquid's thickness, potentially affecting vapour production and how well it wicks in your coil.
• Use nic salt shots for smoother hits: If freebase nicotine feels harsh, especially at higher strengths, opt for nic salt shots for a smoother inhale and faster nicotine absorption.
• Avoid overfilling: Never add more liquid than the shortfill bottle's total capacity to prevent leaks and ensure proper mixing. The empty space in the shortfill is there for a reason!
• Label your bottle: Once you've mixed your shortfill and nicotine shots, take a moment to clearly label the bottle, including the flavour name and the final nicotine strength. This simple step is especially helpful if you have multiple e-liquids mixed at different strengths or flavours, preventing any accidental mix-ups.

Final Thoughts

Using nicotine shots with shortfills gives you full control over your vape — strength, smoothness, and flavour — all without being limited to small 10ml bottles. While it might seem new at first, once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature.

Whether you’re looking to reduce your nicotine intake or simply want to enjoy larger bottles of e-liquid at better value, combining nic shots with shortfills is one of the most flexible and satisfying ways to vape.

Happy mixing!