If you’ve ever been in a bar or a party and heard someone order a “Green Tea Shot,” your brain likely jumped to some health-inspired, antioxidant-heavy drink. Surprise—it’s not quite that! Despite “green tea” in its name, you’d assume a Green Tea Shot includes actual green tea. Instead, it’s a fun, flavorful cocktail that takes no time to stir up, goes down with minimum effort and is always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re having friends over, just relaxing after a long day, or curious about this out of the ordinary drink, this guide will break it down step by step, so you can make the best Green Tea Shot right at home.

We’ll break down the classic recipe in this article, get into its background, offer some tasty variations, and answer your most pressing questions in a handy FAQ section. So such let us jump in and jolt it out!

What Is a Green Tea Shot?

A Green Tea Shot is a sweet and sour type of cocktail that’s typically served in a shot glass. It’s a crisp blend of whiskey (Jameson Irish Whiskey is standard), peach schnapps, sour mix, and a splash of lemon-lime soda. The result? A pale green, vaguely green-tea aliphatic beverage; hence its name. It’s smooth and a bit fruity, and it goes down easy, making it a go-to at a casual gathering or a night out.

Don’t be misled by the “shot” part — this isn’t a heavyweight like a tequila shot. It’s more of a sipper with a balanced flavor profile that’s easy to digest, even for cocktail novices.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The real beauty of a Green Tea Shot is in its simplicity. It takes just four ingredients, and they’re easily found at most liquor stores or supermarkets. Here’s what you’ll need:

Jameson Irish Whiskey (0.5 oz.) — The smooth, mildly pungent backbone of the shot.

Peach Schnapps (0.5 oz) – Adds sweet, fruity notes to the drink.

Sour Mix (0.5 oz) – For that tangy, citrusy balance.

− Lemon-Lime Soda (splash) — Sprite, 7UP or something along those lines, for a fizzy finish

Optional Garnishes

— A slice of lemon or lime for some sharpness.

– Ice (if you’re shaking it).

Pro Tip: It’s easy to make sour mix at home: mix equal parts of fresh lemon juice, lime juice and simple syrup. It’s a game-changer!

How to Make the Green Tea Shot Recipe, Step by Step

All set to impress your mates (or just indulge yourself)? Here’s how to make a Green Tea Shot in under five minutes.

What You’ll Need

—A cocktail shaker (or a nerdy glass and a spoon if you’re MacGyver’ing.

A shot glass

A jigger or measuring tool

Ice (optional, but suggested)

Instructions

Chill Your Glass (Optional): If you want your shot even more refreshing, pop your shot glass in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes.

Add the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, add 0.5 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey, peach schnapps, and sour mix.

Add Your Ice: A few handfuls will do, just enough that it makes the mixture cold as you slosh it around.

Shaken: Cover the shaker and shake for 10-15 seconds, or until the shaker feels cold on the outside.

Strain: Using a Hawthorne strainer, pour the mixture into your shot glass, leaving the ice behind.

Top It Off: For a little sparkle, add a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Garnish (optional): Dress it up with a lemon or lime wedge on the rim.

Enjoy! Sip or shoot—it’s up to you!

Total Time: About 3-5 minutes

Makes: 1 shot (scale up as desired!)

What Makes It a Green Tea Shot?

Here’s the fun part: the Green Tea Shot has nothing to do with green tea at all. Mixing pale green color from the peach schnapps and sour mix gives this cocktail its name. Legend has it the drink was invented by the Jameson brand in a bid to promote their Irish whiskey to a younger crowd. The jokey name caught on, and it became a bar fixture.

Still others say it’s a reference to the drink’s light, refreshing vibe — the way a green tea is cleansing and easygoing. Wherever it comes from, it’s savvy use of marketing as this shot keeps coming up in the news!

How to Make the Best Green Tea Shot

Proportional: For an authentic taste use equal parts whiskey, peach schnapps as well as sour mix (0.5 oz — 15 ml each). An overdose of whiskey could drown out the sweetness; an excess of schnapps might render it cloying.

— Fresh sour mix: Prepackaged sour mix can taste a little artificial; homemade sour mix makes a big difference in flavor.

Tone-Down the Soda: The splash of lemon-lime soda works, but a little goes a long way. One more gases is far enough.

Play With the Whiskey: Jameson is classic here, but feel free to use a bourbon or another Irish whiskey.

Variations to Try

Want to mix things up? So here are some fun variations of the classic Green Tea Shot:

White Tea Shot: Swap out the whiskey for vodka (like Tito’s) for a lighter, crisper version.

Sweet Tea Shot: Make it with sweet tea vodka instead of whiskey if you’d like a Southern-fried version.

Fruity Twist: Replace peach schnapps with mango or raspberry schnapps for a totally different taste.

Spicy Kick: Swap in some ginger beer for the soda for a kick.

Big Batch: Scale up the recipe 4 or 5 times, and serve it in a pitcher for your party-ready cocktail.

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

Did you know: You don’t need any fancy bartending skills here — measure, shake & pour.

Myriad: Great for a solitary splurge, or a group celebration.

Delicious: The balance of sweet and tart is addictive and approachable.

Free: All the contents are accessible and frugal.

The next time you’re in the mood for a fun drink that isn’t too strong or fussy, the Green Tea Shot has your back.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Do Green Tea Shots Contain Green Tea?

No! It’s a cocktail of whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix and soda. The name describes its color, not what’s inside.

How Much Alcohol Does a Green Tea Shot Have?

It’s a relatively mild form, compared to straight shots of liquor. It’s just 0.5 oz of whiskey (about 40% ABV), so it’s mellowed by the rest of the ingredients, making it smooth and go down easy.

Can I do it without cocktail shaker?

Absolutely! Mix the ingredients in a glass filled with ice, stir to combine and strain into your shot glass. It’ll taste just as good.

What is the difference between a Green Tea Shot and a White Tea Shot?

A White Tea Shot swaps in vodka for the whiskey, so it offers a lighter flavor, and a slightly different vibe.

Can I make a version that is alcohol free?

Yes! Forget the whiskey and the schnapps; mix equal parts sour mix and peach juice, with a splash of lemon-lime soda. It’s not going to be perfect, but it will still taste good.

How much serves this recipe?

The basic recipe is for one shot. To feed additional people, double or triple the quantities — just maintain the ratios.

Can I make it in advance?

The whiskey, schnapps and sour mix can be mixed in advance and refrigerated. If you want to keep that sparkle, add the soda only right before serving.

What does a Green Tea Shot pair with?

Serve it with light appetizers such as chicken wings, sliders or fruit skewers. The sweet-tart flavor nags against savory and tangy bites.

Final Thoughts

Green Tea Shot has demonstrated that great things often come in small sizes. Wine, with its straightforward ingredients, low fuss and big flavor, is no shocker as a constant in casual sips and celebrations alike. Whether you choose to stick with the classic Cara Cara recipe, or adapt it to taste, you’re in for a treat that is equal parts fun to make as it is to eat.

So dust off your shaker, gather your ingredients and get to shaking. So good vibes, good flavors— bottoms up!