Green Tea Shot
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 12.5% ABV ∙
The Green Tea Shot mixes Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, lime and sugar syrup under lemon-lime soda — named for its colour, not for any tea. Bright and tart upfront with a soft, fruity sweetness underneath, finishing crisp and fizzy from a quick soda top over a smooth, well-chilled base.
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
- Shake hard and fine-strain to keep the shot clear before topping — the fine strain is what gives it a clean, tea-like look.
- Use fresh lime juice rather than bottled — at this small volume, stale juice flattens the tartness fast.
- Pre-chill the glass so the fizzy soda top doesn't go flat before the shot is served.
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?
It is a shot-glass cocktail built around Irish whiskey and peach schnapps, shaken with citrus and a touch of sweetener and topped with lemon-lime soda. It gets its name from its green-tinted color, not from any actual tea.
What goes in a Green Tea Shot?
Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, fresh lime juice, and sugar syrup, shaken with ice and topped with lemon-lime soda such as Sprite or 7-Up. It is fine-strained into a chilled shot glass for a clear, fizzy finish.
Do you need Sprite for a Green Tea Shot?
Some form of lemon-lime soda is standard for the top, and this recipe pours it over the fine-strained shot rather than shaking it in. Sprite or 7-Up both work interchangeably since the point is the citrus fizz, not a specific brand.
What whiskey is best for a Green Tea Shot?
Irish whiskey is the standard choice, valued for its smooth, light character that doesn't overpower the peach schnapps and citrus. A softer blended Irish whiskey works better here than a heavily peated or cask-strength option.
What cocktail is like the Green Tea Shot?
It is closely related to the Lemon Drop Shot and other whiskey-and-fruit-schnapps shooters, sharing the same shake-and-strain build and citrus-forward profile. The defining difference is the peach schnapps and soda top, which give it its color and fizz.
