Green Tea Shot

Categories

About

What Is a Green Tea Shot?

The Green Tea Shot is a sweet, tangy shooter made with equal parts Irish whiskey, peach schnapps and sour mix, shaken with ice and finished with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Despite the name, there is not a drop of tea in it. The shot gets its name from its pale, cloudy greenish-gold color, which looks remarkably like a cup of brewed green tea. What it tastes like is something closer to a peachy, whiskey-spiked lemonade: fruity, smooth and dangerously easy to drink.

Over the last two decades it has become one of the most-ordered shots in American bars, rivaling longtime party staples like the Lemon Drop Shot and the Jäger Bomb.

A Brief History of the Green Tea Shot

Unlike classic cocktails with centuries of history, the Green Tea Shot is a modern bar creation. It began appearing on bar menus and recipe sites in the early 2000s and spread quickly by word of mouth. Its rise is closely linked to Jameson, and the drink is frequently called a "Jameson Green Tea" or "Irish Green Tea." Many bartenders credit promotional events for the whiskey brand with popularizing the recipe, although no single inventor has ever been confirmed. Whatever its origin, it arrived at the perfect moment: Irish whiskey was experiencing a massive revival in the U.S., and drinkers were looking for approachable ways to enjoy it.

Jameson, the best-selling Irish whiskey in the world, was first distilled in Dublin in 1780, and its smooth, triple-distilled style is a big reason the shot works so well. You can read more about the brand's long history on Wikipedia's Jameson page.

Flavor Profile and What to Expect

The Green Tea Shot is sweet, fruity and surprisingly mellow for a whiskey shooter. Peach schnapps leads with ripe, juicy stone-fruit flavor. Sour mix brings tart lemon and lime that keep the sweetness in check. Irish whiskey sits in the background, adding vanilla, honey and light toasted-grain notes without the harsh bite many people associate with whiskey shots. The splash of lemon-lime soda adds a little fizz and lightens the texture. The overall effect is reminiscent of sweet iced tea with lemon and peach, which may be another reason the name stuck.

Because it is so smooth, the Green Tea Shot is a popular choice for people who usually avoid straight spirits. It is also a great gateway into the world of Irish whiskey.

How to Make the Perfect Green Tea Shot

The classic recipe uses equal parts of the three main ingredients: half an ounce each of Irish whiskey, peach schnapps and sour mix per shot. Add them to a shaker with ice and shake for 10 to 15 seconds until very cold. Strain into a shot glass, filling it about three quarters of the way, then top with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Shaking is important; it chills and slightly dilutes the shot, giving it that smooth, cloudy appearance.

If you are making shots for a group, scale up the recipe and shake in batches of four to six shots at a time. For the best flavor, use a quality Irish whiskey like Jameson, Tullamore D.E.W. or Bushmills. A fresh homemade sour mix of equal parts fresh lemon juice, lime juice and simple syrup is a noticeable upgrade over bottled versions, giving the shot a brighter, less artificial taste.

Popular Variations

The most famous spin-off is the White Tea Shot, which swaps the Irish whiskey for vodka. The result is lighter in color and cleaner in flavor, letting the peach and citrus shine even more. Some bartenders replace the sour mix with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, or swap the lemon-lime soda for club soda for a less sweet shot. You can also turn the Green Tea into a tall drink: double or triple the ingredients and pour over ice in a highball glass, topped with more soda. Peach lovers might also enjoy a Fuzzy Navel or a Woo Woo Shot, both of which highlight peach schnapps.

Curious about the liqueur at the heart of the shot? Peach schnapps belongs to a broad family of fruit spirits and liqueurs; you can learn more about the category on Wikipedia's schnapps page.

How to Serve It

Serve the Green Tea Shot in standard 1.5 to 2 ounce shot glasses. Chilling the glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before pouring keeps the shots extra cold. For parties, line up a tray of shots and top each with soda just before serving so the fizz stays fresh.

Food Pairings and Occasions

The Green Tea Shot is a party drink first and foremost. It is a favorite for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, game nights and nights out with friends. Thanks to its Irish whiskey base and green hue, it is also a fixture of Saint Patrick's Day celebrations alongside the Irish Flag Shot and the Pickleback. Pair it with classic bar food such as wings, sliders, loaded fries and pretzels with beer cheese. For more ideas, browse our shots and shooters and our Saint Patrick's Day drinks.

Why People Love the Green Tea Shot

The Green Tea Shot has earned its popularity honestly. It is easy to make, uses ingredients most bars and home bartenders already have, and tastes far better than a typical shot. It is sweet without being cloying, fruity without being artificial and smooth enough that even whiskey skeptics enjoy it. Add a fun name that sparks conversation, and you have a shooter that has become a modern classic. Learn more about the spirit behind it on Wikipedia's Irish whiskey page, then line up a round for your friends.