Green tea which is rich in antioxidants that people say boosts metabolism, energy and skin health is known for its health benefits. In recent years, though, this beloved brew has gained some new steam outside of its traditional home hot by plunging into the cocktail scene. Don’t let the name Green Tea Shot fool you it doesn’t actually have any green tea in it (but wouldn’t that be awesome?) But it’s a vibrant beast, with a place on bar shelves worldwide.
What Is a Green Tea Shot?
As with many so called “shots,” it is a cocktail, and small-volume and meant to be imbibed like a “shot” at an event. It is a mixture of whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix (or lemon juice) and a dash of club soda (or lemon-lime soda). A namesake or not, this drink lacks green tea. It is early afternoon when a customer requests a “green tea.”
Close up of two small Green Tea Shots Getting there are the whiskey for warmth, the peach schnapps for sugary, fruity sweetness and sour mix or lemon juice, depending on how much tangy acidity you want, to balance the flavor. The drink’s carbonation from the soda part infuses it with vibrant texture when served, meaning it’s likely to appeal both to party-goers and cocktail lovers.
History of the Green Tea Shot, Making Green Tea Shots
And if the name sounds like it ought to come with an ancient recipe, it’s actually a young cocktail. In America, the Mini Cocktail trend was born at the dawn of the 2000s but its flavor profile and construction ease quickly spread across the globe. With Irish whiskey, peach schnapps or some derivative and other ingredients, the Green Tea Shot allegedly oozed up from the American one-bar joins in some time in the last few decades, and the precise lineage is something of a mystery.
We’re guessing its greenish hue has something to do with its called it (and also the fact that it’s supposed to be somewhat “healthy,” channeling the well-documented health benefits of green tea). It was the perfect name to tease this type of drinker in the manner of a shot but without the body-builder vibe of the straight spirits, and at least provide them with the illusion that they were consuming something with a gentler energy.
Word spread quickly and the Green Tea Shot was soon bouncing around bars and party spaces. That bright, fruit-forward flavor and smoothness is what makes it an ideal option for those wanting to sip on a drink that’s easy to put away, and still delivers the punch. The low cost and easy prep of the drink also contributed to its growing popularity.
How to Make a Green Tea Shot
A Green Tea Shot uses a few, easy-to-find ingredients … most all of which, I would guess, are standard arsenal of the average bar or liquor cabinet that isn’t about to be a lot more stocked than I am. So here are the fundamental ingredients for this cheery little shot:
Jameson Irish Whiskey The smooth, slightly sweet whiskey is the most common base spirit used to make the Green Tea Shot. Any other whiskey will work Jameson was the whiskey of choice, though its balanced flavor counteracted the peach schnapps and sour mix sweetness.
Peach Schnapps This sweet and fruity liqueur adds lemon lime flavour to the Green Tea Shot. Peach schnapps helps mellow the whiskey’s more aggressive flavor and is also one of the things that helps give the drink its light, refreshing profile.
Sour Mix or Lemon Juice The sour mix (a mix of lemon or lime juice and simple syrup) or fresh lemon juice that gives tartness, which the drink desperately needs in order to fight off the sweet death of schnapps and add complexity.
Club Soda or Lemon Lime Soda A splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda provides the fizz and makes the drink a great refresher with a nice effervescent finish.
Ice Essential in the drink making business, in that it will lower the temperature of the ingredients and dilute the drink slightly, thus making it go down easier
Green Tea Shot Recipe How To Make It:
A Green Tea Shot only takes minutes to prepare! All the above ingredients shaken over ice with a shaker Here’s how to make this refreshing shot, step by step:
Ingredients:
1 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey (or any whiskey of choice)
Peach Schnapps 1 ounce
1 oz Sour Mix or Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Top off with club soda or lemon lime soda.
Ice cubes
Directions:
Ice Your Shaker The first thing you do is ice a cocktail shaker. Drop in the ice and add the second spirit of your choice, which will chill the drink and thin it out at the same time and will help make it easy to sip.
Add Your Liquids: Into the shaker, add the Jameson Irish Whiskey, Peach Schnapps and the Sour Mix (or lemon juice). Seal the lid shut and vigorously shake for 10–15 seconds until fully combined.
Shake to combine, then strain into a shot glass, discarding ice.
Finishing Touches: Tip the shot glass and add club soda or lemon lime soda. It also brings a touch of fizz and lightens it up a bit, which makes it all the more refreshing.
How to serve your green tea shot: (Optional: garnish with a lemon wedge or mint leaves and enjoy.)
Green Tea Shot Variants
And while the original is an all-time favorite for many, many a bartender and home mixologist will kick it up a notch with a little extra something in the Green Tea Shot.
Lemon Green Tea Shot
Note: To further tartify the mix, some substitute the peach schnapps with a lemon-infused liqueur or increase fresh lemon juice.
Green Tea Martini
Variation: For something slightly more mature than a shot, turn the mix into a Green Tea Shot martini by adjusting the proportions of each ingredient, shaking the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and serving in an iced martini glass.
Berry Green Tea Shot
Flavor Twist: A splash of raspberry or cranberry juice has loads of flavor depth without hindering the bright refreshing characteristics of the Green Tea Shot.
Green Tea Shot with Vodka
This certainly makes a whiskey Green Tea Shot lose an easy-. or less-intense drinking base of vodka, so this is definitely one cocktail you lose out! Its sweet tart flavor, however, will continue to be the same.
Where In The World Did The Green Tea Shot Trend Start
There are few theories as to why the Green Tea Shot (a quick, body bending mix of Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, Jameson, and sour mix) has exploded in popularity over the past few years:
Deliciousness: Fragrant and complex, with an enticing sweetness (from the whiskey, peach schnapps and citrus) balanced out by a bit of tartness, this is at once refreshing and easy drinking, and perfect for a crowd. Its light and fruity flavor is much easier to be with than that of many boozier cocktails.
Easy: Green Tea Shots are super simple to mix. Whether you’re throwing a party, or just want an easy cocktail you can make and keep on hand, this is it.
Versatile: You can batch a whole bunch of green tea shots for a party, or prepare them one at a time. It can attract the casual drinker as well as the cocktail connoisseur.
Looks Fun green tea Shot you might say a dish that sometimes has a somewhat funky greenish appearance would be a myo-what? But for some reason red also feels really healthy and vibrant so I think you can see why something that has a hit of funky (green especially) to it would still be pretty nice to eat.
Cheap: Most of the items needed to mix up Green Tea Shots (whiskey, schnapps, sour mix Etc.) can be easily found in any average liquor cupboard or pub, making them one of the most affordable shots on the menu!
Final Thoughts
Whether thrown together for a bash, a night out on the town or just practicing some cocktails at home, the Green Tea Shot is a fabulous addition to any bar tenders arsenal. A combiner of taste and tradition, this drool worthy one is a colourful delicacy that is bound to appease even the pickiest of palettes. And its simple recipe and ease of prep make it especially well suited for bartenders of any experience level.
So when you’re looking for something a little more exciting than just a shot, grab a Green Tea Shot! Always add jitters and raise any capacity to the next class!
