Green Tea Shot
A fruity, bubbly and refreshing cocktail ∙ Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 10.3% ABV ∙
The Green Tea Shot is a shaken shot of Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, lime and sugar syrup topped with lemon-lime soda, named for its color, not tea.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Irish whiskey 15 mlPeach schnapps 15 mlLime juice 10 mlSugar syrup 5 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Top with Lemon-lime soda
Tips
- Squeeze the lime fresh: in a shot this small, dull bottled juice shows straight away.
History
The Green Tea Shot contains no actual tea; its name comes from the pale green color the mix takes on, which resembles brewed green tea. Despite the shot's frequent nickname "Jameson Green Tea" and a widespread bar-lore claim that Jameson Irish Whiskey invented it as a promotional drink, no evidence supports that origin — Jameson's own official recipe list does not include it, and its creation remains undocumented.
The shot appears to have spread through American bars and nightclubs in the late 2000s and early 2010s, gaining particular popularity around 2011 with concentrated followings in the Midwest and in Delaware and New Jersey. It went on to become a common call shot nationwide, well-known enough that bartenders began bottling premixed versions of it years later to save time during busy shifts.
FAQ
What is a Green Tea Shot at a bar?
A shot of Irish whiskey and peach schnapps shaken with lime juice and sugar syrup, then topped with lemon-lime soda. It contains no tea; the name comes from its pale green color.
What goes in a Green Tea Shot?
15 ml each of Irish whiskey and peach schnapps, 10 ml fresh lime juice and 5 ml sugar syrup, shaken and fine-strained. It is topped with 15 ml of lemon-lime soda such as Sprite or 7-Up.
Do you need Sprite for a Green Tea Shot?
You need a lemon-lime soda, but not necessarily Sprite: 7-Up works just as well. Pour it on top of the strained shot; don't shake it in.
What whiskey is best for a Green Tea Shot?
Irish whiskey, and a smooth blended one works best. Its light character leaves room for the peach schnapps and lime; a heavily peated or cask-strength whiskey would bury them.
What cocktail is like the Green Tea Shot?
The White Tea Shot, its closest relative: the same peach schnapps, citrus and soda, with vodka in place of the Irish whiskey.
