Dosing nicotine shots and bases correctly – a guide for DIY mixing beginners

Anyone who mixes their own liquid sooner or later asks: how do I get the nicotine strength I want? In our shop in Freiburg this is one of the most common questions from mixing beginners. In this guide we explain what nicotine shots and bases are, what matters when dosing and which safety rules you should always follow.

What is a nicotine shot?

A nicotine shot is a small bottle of base containing nicotine. You add it to a nicotine-free base and a flavour concentrate to make a liquid containing nicotine.

In Germany, a nicotine-containing liquid may contain no more than 20 milligrams of nicotine per millilitre, and nicotine-containing refill containers hold no more than 10 millilitres (§ 14 TabakerzG). That is why nicotine shots are offered in small bottles with exactly this upper limit. The label shows the nicotine content, ingredients and warnings.

What does “dosing correctly” mean?

Dosing correctly means mixing shot, base and flavour so that the end result is the nicotine strength that suits you, while following the manufacturers’ information.

The more nicotine-free base and flavour you add to the shot, the lower the nicotine strength in the finished liquid. We deliberately do not give calculation examples here. Many manufacturers print a mixing recommendation on shots, bases and flavours, and there are online mixing calculators you can use to check your mix in advance. Follow this information and double-check the result.

What about flavour dosing?

Flavours are added in a specific amount stated by the manufacturer on the bottle. You should stick to this recommendation. Too much flavour can taste unpleasant and make the coil get dirty faster.

Which nicotine strength suits me?

That mainly depends on your device and your inhale style. We are happy to advise you personally in the shop.

With mouth-to-lung vaping (MTL) using small pod systems less vapour is usually produced, which is why many people use a higher nicotine strength there. With direct lung inhales (DL) using sub-ohm devices, much more vapour is produced. The BfR points out that sub-ohm devices lead to higher nicotine intake. A lower nicotine strength is therefore usually chosen here. More on this in the guide What are sub-ohm e-cigarettes?.

Which safety rules apply when mixing?

Nicotine is poisonous. Work cleanly, protect your skin and eyes and keep everything child-safe.

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) generally advises against mixing liquids yourself, especially without sufficient knowledge and experience. It warns of severe poisoning, even death, if liquids are swallowed accidentally. If you mix anyway, follow these rules:

• Mix in a tidy place where nothing else is lying around.
• Wear disposable gloves. Nicotine should not get on the skin or in the eyes.
• Label every bottle with its contents, nicotine strength and date.
• Close all bottles again immediately and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
• Use only bases, flavour concentrates and shots intended for e-cigarettes. According to the BfR, oils must never be put into a liquid.

What to do if something goes wrong?

If a child has swallowed liquid or a larger amount of nicotine has got on the skin, contact a poison control centre or call the emergency number 112 immediately. Take the bottle with you so that the ingredients are known.

Which questions do we hear most often in the shop?

Can I put several shots in one bottle?

Yes, but only in such a way that the finished liquid does not exceed the maximum of 20 milligrams per millilitre. The manufacturer’s mixing recommendation will help you.

Do I need to shake the liquid after mixing?

Yes. Shake the bottle thoroughly so that shot, base and flavour are evenly distributed. Many flavours then still need some time. More on this in the guide How do you steep e-liquids correctly?.

Which base do I use for the shot?

It is easiest if shot and base have a similar PG/VG ratio. You can read how to find the right base in the guide Which base for vaping?.

Note: This guide is intended exclusively for adults. We sell all products only to persons aged 18 and over. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. This article does not replace medical advice. If you want to quit smoking, you can find free help on the rauchfrei portal of the German Federal Institute for Public Health.

About the authors – Team Dampfstelle Freiburg: We are an owner-managed specialist shop in Freiburg-Zähringen and have been advising customers in our shop every day since August 2022. Our team has been vaping for over 10 years and knows the devices, liquids and typical problems from personal experience.

Last updated: 14.10.2026

Which sources is this article based on?

1. German Tobacco Products Act § 14: Composition of electronic cigarettes and refill containers (in German). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tabakerzg/__14.html
2. German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): E-cigarettes: anything but harmless – questions and answers (in German). https://www.bfr.bund.de/fragen-und-antworten/thema/e-zigaretten-alles-andere-als-harmlos/
3. German Federal Institute for Public Health: rauchfrei portal (in German). https://www.rauchfrei-info.de/