Kamikaze

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What Is a Kamikaze?

The Kamikaze is a simple, tart cocktail made with vodka, triple sec and fresh lime juice, shaken hard with ice. It can be served straight up in a cocktail glass or strained into shot glasses as a quick, punchy shooter. Think of it as a vodka Margarita or a Vodka Gimlet with orange liqueur. Bright, zesty and easy to make, it was one of the defining drinks of the 1970s and 1980s and remains a bar staple today.

The Kamikaze is also a key ancestor of one of the most famous cocktails of the 1990s: add cranberry juice and swap in citrus vodka, and you are well on your way to a Cosmopolitan.

A Brief History of the Kamikaze

The Kamikaze's exact origins are uncertain. Its name refers to the Japanese suicide pilots of World War II, and one popular story claims the drink was first mixed at an American naval base in Japan after the war. However, the drink did not appear widely in print until the 1970s, when it rose to prominence during the disco era. At a time when vodka was overtaking gin and whiskey as America's favorite spirit, the Kamikaze offered a quick, easy and tasty way to drink it.

By the late 1970s and 1980s, the Kamikaze was a fixture in bars across the U.S., often served as a shot. Its simple, sweet-tart profile and bright citrus flavor made it hugely popular with younger drinkers, and it paved the way for a wave of vodka-based sours and shots, including the Lemon Drop Shot. Many cocktail historians also see it as a stepping stone to the Cosmopolitan. You can learn more on Wikipedia's Kamikaze page.

Flavor Profile and What to Expect

The Kamikaze is crisp, tart and lightly sweet. Fresh lime juice dominates, bringing bright acidity and a zesty aroma. Triple sec adds sweetness and a lovely orange flavor that rounds out the lime. Vodka provides a clean, neutral backbone, letting the citrus shine. The result is refreshing and easy to drink, with a sharp, clean finish. As a shot, it goes down smoothly; as a cocktail, it is a bright, simple sour that is great for warm days.

The quality of your triple sec makes a noticeable difference. Better orange liqueurs have more natural orange flavor and less sugary sweetness. You can read more about the category on Wikipedia's triple sec page.

How to Make the Perfect Kamikaze

Add one and a half ounces of vodka, one ounce of triple sec and one ounce of fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel. To serve as shots, divide the mixture among two or three shot glasses.

Always use freshly squeezed lime juice; bottled lime juice or sweet-and-sour mix will make the drink taste flat and artificial. Many bartenders prefer equal parts of all three ingredients for a sweeter, more balanced shot, while others reduce the triple sec slightly for a tarter cocktail. Add a splash of simple syrup if your limes are especially sour.

Popular Variations

The Kamikaze has spawned many colorful variations. The Blue Kamikaze swaps triple sec for blue curaçao, giving the drink a vibrant blue color. A Raspberry Kamikaze adds a splash of raspberry liqueur, while a Melon Kamikaze uses melon liqueur. Using citrus-flavored vodka intensifies the citrus, and adding cranberry juice moves the drink toward a Cosmopolitan. Swapping vodka for gin creates a drink similar to a classic gin sour, while using brandy instead brings it closer to a Sidecar.

How to Serve It

As a cocktail, serve the Kamikaze straight up in a chilled martini or coupe glass with a lime wedge or wheel. As a shooter, strain it into chilled shot glasses. For parties, mix a batch in a pitcher and shake individual servings with ice so each one is ice-cold.

Food Pairings and Occasions

The Kamikaze's bright, citrusy profile pairs well with light, flavorful foods such as sushi, ceviche, shrimp cocktail, fish tacos, chicken wings and spicy Asian dishes. As a shot, it is a classic for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties and nights out with friends. As a cocktail, it makes a refreshing choice for summer gatherings. For more party favorites, explore our shots and shooters and our tart sour cocktails, or try the classic Gimlet.

Why People Love the Kamikaze

The Kamikaze is a simple, reliable crowd-pleaser. With just three ingredients and a shaker, you can make a drink that is bright, refreshing and endlessly versatile, equally at home as a sipping cocktail or a party shot. It played an important role in cocktail history, helping to popularize vodka sours and paving the way for the Cosmopolitan. Next time you need a quick, delicious drink, reach for the Kamikaze.