Choosing bottles for liqueurs and spirits

How to find the perfect bottle shape and size

Whether you’re a start-up, a craft producer or a medium-sized business: choosing the right bottle is crucial for the first impression your product makes. As specialists in packaging solutions for the spirits sector, we’ll show you what really matters and how the right bottle can showcase your product and brand to best effect.

Why is bottle selection so important?

Choosing the right bottle is much more than a packaging decision – it’s a strategic factor for your product’s and your company’s success. Especially in the B2B sector, where you’re competing with established brands and innovative start-ups, the bottle can be the deciding factor between a purchase and a missed opportunity.

First impressions count: The bottle is often the very first thing your customer sees – whether on the shelf, in an online shop or when unwrapping a gift. An appealing shape, high-quality glass and a harmonious design will immediately set your product apart from the crowd.

Brand ambassador: The shape, size and closure of your bottle underline your market positioning. Want to offer premium liqueurs? Opt for heavy, elegant bottles with exclusive closures. Want your gin to stand out as young and creative? Modern apothecary bottles or distinctive designs make a statement. Your bottle tells your brand’s story before your product is even tasted.

Practical aspects: The choice of bottle has a direct impact on production processes, storage logistics and shipping costs:

• Is the bottle easy to stack and resistant to breakage?
• Can it be filled easily and cleanly?
• What is its weight (affecting shipping costs)?
• Is it convenient for the end customer to handle? A well-thought-out choice saves costs, minimises breakage and has a positive effect on the entire supply chain.

Legal compliance: Spirit bottles in the EU are subject to strict regulations – for example, regarding permitted fill volumes, labelling and youth protection. The wrong bottle size or incomplete labelling can lead to warnings or sales bans. At the same time, your customers expect packaging solutions that are compliant, safe and trustworthy.

Our aim: To provide you with fast, expert guidance to the perfect bottle for your spirits project.

Overview: bottle shapes and sizes

The most common bottle shapes for spirits:

• Round-shoulder bottles
  Classic all-rounders, popular for liqueurs, brandies and gin.
• Square bottles
  Modern and eye-catching – a design highlight.
• Apothecary bottles
  Especially for gin and trendy spirits, with a retro charm.
• Swing-top bottles
  Rustic, practical, reusable.
• Miniature bottles (20–50 ml)
  Perfect for samples, tastings or gift sets.
• Decorative and printed bottles
  Ideal for special editions or as gift ideas (e.g. heart, star, fir tree).

Typical bottle sizes:

• Mini: 20–50 ml
• Small: 100, 200, 350 ml
• Standard: 500, 700, 750 ml, 1,000 ml
• Special sizes: e.g. 3 litres for catering/events

Tip: Small and medium batch sizes are available for B2B customers starting from low minimum order quantities.

Which bottle for which product?

Liqueurs

• Slim, tall bottles with long necks: elegant and refined
• Bulbous shapes for cream liqueurs
• Motif bottles for gifts and special editions

Discover liqueur bottles

Gin

• Apothecary bottles, usually with a thick base
• Clear or coloured glass variants for more brand character

Discover gin bottles

Whisky, rum, cognac

• Voluminous, heavy bottles or decanters
• High-quality cork or special closures

Discover spirit bottles

Fruit brandies/schnapps

• Cylindrical long-neck bottles (classic)
• Hip flasks for smaller volumes

Discover long-neck bottles

Vodka

• Cylindrical shape, often with an extravagant or modern twist

Discover cylindrical bottles

Gift and seasonal bottles

• Motif bottles (heart, star, tree) for seasonal promotions or promotional gifts

Discover bottles for special occasions

Target group and positioning

• Consider who your product is aimed at: a premium liqueur for gift sets? A classic fruit brandy for retail? A trendy New Western gin for bars?
• The bottle carries your message to the outside world:
• Premium product: Choose heavy, thick-walled bottles or special designs. These signal quality and exclusivity.
• Own-label or value product: Functionality is key here. Simple, practical bottles offer good value for money and are efficient to fill and store.

Practical aspects

• Stackability: Especially important for storage, transport and wholesale – bottles that stack well are a real advantage.
• Weight: Lighter bottles significantly reduce shipping and logistics costs, without compromising perceived value.
• Break resistance: Robust bottles made from thick glass or with special shapes minimise the risk of breakage – crucial for shipping and export.
• Closure types: Choose between cork, screw cap or swing-top, depending on your product and target market. Corks stand for tradition and premium quality, screw caps for practicality and safety.

Production and logistics costs

• Compatibility with filling lines: Check whether your chosen bottle fits your existing production. Standardised bottle shapes make automation easier and save time during filling.
• Shipping options: Bottle formats that are easy to pack reduce transport costs – an underestimated factor for large orders or exports.

Marketing and branding

• The bottle shape is a key part of your corporate design. It creates recognition and differentiation in the market.
• Customisation: Use printing, engraving, special label shapes or even bespoke bottle designs to make your brand unmistakable. Our customer service team will be happy to advise you.

Flexibility for small batches

• Especially for start-ups, craft producers and innovative product lines, it’s important to stay flexible.
• We’re happy to offer small quantities or sample orders – so you can test several designs or sizes before making a final decision.
• This flexibility reduces financial risk and supports you with seasonal or limited special editions.

Legal requirements and practical advice

As a supplier of spirits and liqueurs, you not only need to choose the right bottle, but also comply with a range of legal requirements. These regulations apply both to the bottle itself and to its labelling and distribution. Careful compliance protects you from warnings, sales bans and builds trust with your customers and business partners.

Key points at a glance

Permitted bottle sizes
According to the EU Prepackaging Ordinance, spirits may only be placed on the market in certain nominal fill volumes. Common, permitted sizes include:

• 100 ml
• 200 ml
• 350 ml
• 500 ml
• 700 ml
• 1,000 ml
• 1,500 ml
• 1,750 ml
• From 2,000 ml in litre increments up to 10 litres

Other sizes are not permitted for commercial sale in the EU. Always ensure your chosen bottle allows for a permitted fill volume – this also applies to special shapes or gift bottles.

Mandatory label information

To ensure your bottle is legally compliant, the label must clearly and permanently display the following:

• Product description (e.g. “Liqueur”, “Gin”, “Fruit Brandy”)
• Net fill volume (e.g. 500 ml)
• Alcohol content in % vol. (e.g. “40% vol.”)
• Producer / bottler (including address)
• Batch number for traceability
• Any allergens (e.g. for advocaat: “Contains egg”)
• Indication of colourings or additives (if used)

Conclusion

The right bottle makes your product stand out and supports your market success. Get in touch – we’ll provide expert, individual advice, drawing on the know-how from countless successful projects.

Disclaimer
Despite careful and thorough research, we cannot accept any liability for the completeness, accuracy or timeliness of the information provided. Please check the information carefully in relation to your own products at:
European Spirits Regulation