Green Tea Shot: Best Cocktail Recipe, 7 Variations + 3 Tips

Jacqueline Eisenbraun (Senior Editor)

Cocktails are the lifeblood of any party. In your search for inspiration, you may have come across the green tea shot: a bubbly, lime concoction. Don’t be fooled by its unique color or name — this drink isn’t one you’ll be adding to your detox diet.

The green tea shot is a quirky drink because – first of all – it’s a misnomer. Despite its name, there’s actually no green tea behind this Jameson classic.

However, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying this zesty, refreshing beverage, especially during hot summer days or as a way to spice up the drinks you serve to your guests. If this cocktail has captured your interest and you’re wanting to try it out for your next get-together, stick around. You’ll learn all about:

• What exactly a green tea shot is, and its history and origins
• A rundown of the best whiskey brands you need to use for the best possible serving of a green tea shot
• An effortlessly straightforward recipe for making a green tea shot
• Tips on serving the drink, including the most appropriate occasions, food pairings, and types of glass to use
• Different variations of the green tea shot and other similar cocktails to add variety to the drinks you’re serving.

Worried about preparing this drink from scratch? The good news is that green tea shot is so simple to create that even complete beginners will get the hang of it very quickly.

Get a hold of the best quality ingredients you can, and prepare your tastebuds – the green tea shot is about to blow you away.

What a Green Tea Shot Is

What a Green Tea Shot Is

Just a quick glance at a glass of green tea shot and you’ll understand why it’s named with that moniker – this drink looks like a cross between a soothing cup of green tea and the refreshing taste of lime juice.

However, the exact color itself varies a lot, and it’s not uncommon to find green tea shot that looks cloudy green, milky white, or light yellow.

Trying this cocktail is utterly rewarding thanks to the delicate balance between sweet and sour, and you certainly won’t miss the spicy punch that the whiskey base leaves in the back of your throat.

Because of its moderate alcohol content, the green tea shot is an excellent drink of choice for summertime and beachside parties.

Brief History / Origin

Brief History / Origin

This cocktail was first created by Jameson Whiskey, the brand we all know and love. A green tea shot combines the company’s famous whiskey with peach schnapps, sour mix, and lemon-lime soda.

As we’ve mentioned above, this drink doesn’t contain any green tea, and it also isn’t a shot; in fact, this cocktail is better enjoyed when sipped slowly.

As for the drink’s color, that can be attributed to the combination of Jameson Whiskey and sour mix, which generally takes on a lime or green apple appearance.

Because of its unique character, the green tea shot has become a favorite around the world and particularly among young adults. It’s sweet and tangy and packs a light punch that makes it all too easy to consume the drink in excess.

Make sure to take care when consuming green tea shots as the light flavor can fool you into drinking more and becoming quickly intoxicated. Generally, only one or two shots are sufficient to relish the cocktail and enjoy it with others.

Ingredients

Ingredients

For a single serving of green tea shot, prepare the following ingredients: half an ounce of Irish whiskey (preferably Jameson Whiskey), peach schnapps, and sour mix, some lime- or lemon-based soda such as Sprite, and several ice cubes.

The most important ingredient will be the Irish whiskey base – but we’ll go over some top options for that too, so don’t worry. When everything is ready, you can get started with preparing your green tea shot.

Best Whiskey Brands for A Green Tea Shot

It’s important to choose the right Irish whiskey to perfect your green tea shot. Of course, Jameson Whiskey, being the creator of this drink, is the most obvious and arguably the best choice for the liquor base.

However, if you don’t have any Jameson Irish Whiskey with you, there are several other brands that’ll nicely do the trick.

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Let’s start off with the strongest choice for your Irish whiskey base — Jameson Irish

Best Whiskey Brands for A Green Tea Shot

. The delicate process of triple distillation and oak barrel aging lends this liquor a smooth feel that’s complemented by floral, spicy, and subtly sweet notes.

These flavors blend excellently with the green tea shot’s alternative lemon, lime, and peach notes – making for a light and fruity concoction.

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Johnnie Walker Red Label

From one of the most well-known brands across the world comes the Johnnie Walker Red Label, a blended Scotch Whiskey defined best by its smoky character.

While this liquor flaunts a fresh and fruity aroma, it undercuts initial expectations with bold and poppy flavors that leave a fiery yet satisfying sensation.

Like Jameson Irish Whiskey, Red Label works extremely well with green tea shot’s other ingredients and serves as a base that uplifts and brightens the cocktail’s other notes.

Green Spot Irish Whiskey

Green Spot Irish Whiskey

If you enjoy a woody liquor base that’ll induce your guests to reminisce about the freshness of spring, go for Green Spot – an Irish whiskey by Spot Whiskey.

One of this drink’s most distinctive characteristics is the lingering scent of flowers and fields that work alongside the smell of toasted wood.

Be warned as this whiskey has an intense kick and spicy flavor notes with subtle hints of fruitiness. Thanks to these qualities, Green Spot will help you create a finely balanced green tea shot.

Egan’s Vintage Grain Irish Whiskey

Egan’s Vintage Grain Irish Whiskey

Egan’s Vintage Grain Irish Whiskey is a single-grain liquor that boasts a warm, spicy, and sweet character.

Make sure to pay close attention to the vanilla base that underlies the drink’s aroma and flavor, giving this whiskey a relatively milder flavor profile than the other options on this list.

It’s this mildness that guarantees a different experience from the original recipe that uses Jameson Irish Whiskey, so it’s definitely one worth trying.

Redbreast 12 Year

Redbreast 12 Year

The flagship liquor offering by Redbreast is a bold, triple-distilled whiskey that carries hints of hazelnut and nutmeg. Redbreast 12 Year is creamy and dry at the same time and leaves a delicate snapping feeling on your tongue that lasts long after the drink has been downed.

As with Egan’s, this whiskey makes for a unique and distinct cocktail that features a soft and textured mouthfeel.

Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey

Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey

Tullamore’s original Irish whiskey is a unique liquor made from distilling a blend of three types of spirits: grain, malt, and pot still whiskeys.

The resulting complex flavor profile gives tasters a glimpse of sweetness and spiciness, all rolled together in a lingering finish where the liquor makes its kick quite well-known.

Because of its delicately balanced taste, Tullamore’s original Irish whiskey is an excellent base for the rest of the green tea shot’s lighter flavors to shine through.

Recipe – How to Make a Green Tea Shot

Recipe – How to Make a Green Tea Shot

As we’ve mentioned, green tea shot is friendly even for complete beginners due to how simple and straightforward it is. When done right, you can have a cold and refreshing glass of green tea shot in as little as five minutes.

Before you begin, make sure you’ve prepared all the necessary equipment — a cocktail shaker and bar strainer. Once everything’s ready, you’re good to go.

1. Take your whiskey, peach schnapps, and sour mix, and combine all of them together in a cocktail shaker with a good amount of ice
2. Shake the mixture for roughly 10 seconds, or until you can hear the change in texture
3. Pour the drink into a glass, but don’t fill all the way to the brim; leave about a quarter of space from the top and make sure you strain the ice
4. Add some ice cubes into the glass and top the drink off with a small amount of lemon- or lime-flavored soda to introduce some carbonation to the mix.

For presentation purposes, feel free to add a slice or wedge of lime on the rim of the glass as a garnish because it’ll help emphasize the drink’s color.

How to Serve and Drink a Green Tea Shot

How to Serve and Drink a Green Tea Shot

Every cocktail has its corresponding time, place, and etiquette for serving. Knowing how to best serve a drink will go a long way in presenting you as a host that puts a lot of thought behind party and event preparations. If you decide to go with a green tea shot, make sure to observe the following.

Time & Occasions for Drinking a Green Tea Shot

Time & Occasions for Drinking a Green Tea Shot

The green tea shot is certainly a summertime drink. Although it contains warming whiskey, it’s a floral and fruity cocktail overall that’s most ideal for consumption under the sun.

Additionally, before you servea green tea shot, consider the taste and preferences of your guests; this drink is widely consumed by younger adults and might be frowned upon by older generations.

As such, if you’re hosting a party for more mature guests, consider a whiskey cocktail as a green tea shot might find itself sorely out of place.

Perfect Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Thanks to their shared citrus accent, the green tea shot is just as zesty as a margarita – so foods that pair well with the latter will also work excellently with a green tea shot.

You’ll have a range of options here, including spicy foods such as nachos or enchiladas, as the refreshing drink has the ability to rinse the spice off your palate. Or, depending on the occasion, you also can’t go wrong with savory or seafood dishes like chicken and shrimp.

Best Glass to Serve a Green Tea Shot

Best Glass to Serve a Green Tea Shot

As the green tea shot is a whiskey cocktail, it should traditionally be served in a whiskey tumbler. This wide and heavy glass provides the perfect shape to allow for slow sipping, especially since the drink is served on the rocks.

If you don’t have one, a shot glass is also a viable option since it shares some characteristics with whiskey tumblers – just a bit smaller.

Variations of Green Tea Shot

Variations of Green Tea Shot

While the green tea shot might not be quite up your alley, perhaps one of these other variations will be. Some even live up to their name and contain actual green tea and all the health benefits that come with it. Feel free to try out any one of these beverages and see which one you like best.

Green Tea Punch

Green Tea Punch

Green tea punch is simply a green tea shot — only in punch form. This is ideal if you’re hosting a party, as it means that you don’t have to spend the entire evening shaking cocktails while everyone else is having fun.

Serve this in a large bowl with a great big spoon for pouring and add garnishes (such as lemon and lime wedges or round) to the bowl for something extra special.

Green Tea Vodka Spritzer

Green Tea Vodka Spritzer

This recipe does actually contain green tea and is an excellent option for those looking for a more healthy alternative to the green tea shot.

Sugar syrup made with honey that’s mixed with vodka, chilled green tea, and soda water makes for a delightfully refreshing summertime drink. This alternative is suitable to serve to more mature guests who will appreciate the novelty and health benefits of drinking green tea with a kick.

Habanero Green Tea Shooters

Habanero Green Tea Shooters

This cocktail variation is fairly straightforward and can be created in no time. Simply follow the recipe for the green tea shot and, to garnish, add a fresh habanero chili to your tumbler.

If this doesn’t provide enough spice for you, you can also muddle habanero chili into your tumbler before adding the rest of the mix.

Green Tea Margarita

Green Tea Margarita

Agave, fresh lime, a good tequila, and green tea — a match made in heaven. These flavors complement each other to perfection, and the addition of green tea provides health benefits to enjoy with the drink. Pair this with spicy food such as tacos for the ultimate refreshment to cool your mouth down.

Green and White Tea Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitans contain vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime. Green tea is a special additional ingredient that makes for a novel cocktail to serve at your next party.

While cosmopolitans are typically a bold reddish-pink color, in this recipe, I prefer to add only a dash of cranberry juice to allow the green or white tea flavor to shine through.

Vodka and Green Tea Cooler

Vodka and Green Tea Cooler

For this recipe, you can choose a juice of your liking to add to the mix. If you’re looking for suggestions, I prefer pomegranate juice for its subtle and sweet flavor. Add your juice, vodka, and green tea into a tall glass over ice. To finish off, decorate with a fruity garnish to beautify your green tea cooler.

Green Tea and Cucumber Martini

Green Tea and Cucumber Martini

Martinis are typically very heavy on one ingredient: vodka. Lighten this up a little with some chilled green tea, cucumber, and lemon or lime juice. Aromatic ingredients such as fresh ginger and Thai basil will go a long way in both garnishing and infusing delicate flavors into your cocktails.

Here you’ll learn more about the lemon drop martini.

Similar Cocktails You Will Enjoy

Similar Cocktails You Will Enjoy

If you enjoy novelty drinks such as the green tea shot, you might also enjoy these fun cocktails. Each one is innovative, taking the best components of old classics and creating something wholly new and delicious.

And because they’re similar to the green tea shot, they also have the added advantage of being something you’ll likely enjoy right from the outset.

Here you will learn everything about vieux carre.

Irish Breakfast Shot

Irish Breakfast Shot

Though it’s rather different in many ways from the green tea shot, this is another whiskey cocktail not to be missed. The Irish breakfast shot involves a 30 milliliter shot of Irish whiskey, a 30 ml glass of orange juice, and a rasher of crispy bacon. Intrigued?

First, shoot the whiskey, chase it with the orange juice, and then treat yourself to a tasty morsel of bacon. This is breakfast all in one go, though I wouldn’t recommend it as an everyday thing.

The origins of this cocktail are unknown, and you’ll notice that orange juice and bacon are not classic Irish breakfast ingredients.

However, Irish whiskey is a staple of the national diet and does at times make its way onto the breakfast table. If you want to snazz up the start of your day, going for an Irish breakfast shot is an easy way to do it.

White Tea Shot

White Tea Shot

For peachy, fizzy, all-around goodness, the white tea shot is an excellent choice. Just like the green tea shot, this cocktail doesn’t contain actual tea; the difference, however, is that the white tea shot uses vodka instead of whiskey.

This is a popular drink for young women to enjoy alongside men drinking green tea shots because it’s lower in calories and has a gentler taste.

Shake together equal parts of peach schnapps, vodka, and sour mix (for fewer preservatives, a sour mix can be made using fresh lemon and lime juice).

Strain this mixture into a whiskey tumbler, no ice, and garnish with a slice of lemon. This cocktail should be sipped slowly and not taken as a shot despite what the name suggests. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy a summer’s night out with friends.

Water Moccasin Shot

Water Moccasin Shot

This recipe is much like the green tea shot, minus the sour mix. Instead, Cointreau is used as a sweetening ingredient, making this cocktail even more alcoholic.

A smooth Canadian whiskey never fails to set the balance of this cocktail. Some recipes call for the drink to be soured with some extra lime or lemon, but this decision is up to the taste of the cocktail maker.

Green Tea Apple Cocktail

Green Tea Apple Cocktail

If you’re a fan of apple cider, this may be the cocktail for you. Take two ounces of vodka and stir them together with apple cider and chilled green tea over ice.

A thin slice of apple acts as an excellent garnish. Aside from being a unique cocktail that your dinner guests will most likely not have tried before, it’s also an ideal drink for a summery or autumnal evening as it pairs very nicely with red meat such as pork or lamb.

Matcha Highball

Matcha Highball

Of all the cocktails on this list, the matcha highball is perhaps my favorite. What you’ll need is two ounces of fine Japanese whiskey, a cap of pure matcha powder, 15 milliliter of honey syrup, and a dash of lemon juice.

To prepare this drink, simply shake all the ingredients apart from the soda in a cocktail shaker with ice, then pour the mixture into a tall glass before topping it off with soda. This novelty drink will appeal to those who are interested in all things Japanese.

Almond Green Iced Tea

Almond Green Iced Tea

The almond green iced tea is yet another interesting mix combining uncommon ingredients with old classics. You may not have heard of orgeat syrup – a sweet mixture made using almonds, rose water, and sugar — and in this cocktail, orgeat makes for a great addition.

Simply add it to two ounces of gin, chilled green tea, and some lemon juice before shaking the mixture well in a cocktail shaker with ice and serving in a highball glass with a lemon garnish. You may also choose to add some mint or basil garnish, which does wonders for the appearance and flavor of the drink.

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