Would you like to save this?
Green Tea Shot Recipe
A zippy little cocktail that tastes like liquid lemonade and slips down so smoothly, you’ll swear it’s non-alcoholic—yet there’s a cheeky kick waiting!
If you’ve ever sipped a bright, citrusy cocktail at your favorite bar and wondered how bartenders get that perfect balance of sweet, sour, and a touch of warmth, this Green Tea Shot Recipe is the answer. It’s not actually made with green tea leaves, but a clever mix of vodka, Irish liqueur, peach schnapps, and lemonade that delivers all the vibe without any teapot fuss. I first whipped this up during a backyard barbecue last summer when my bartender friend Marcy challenged me to create an “alcoholic drink that tastes innocent.” Mission accomplished.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ready in under five minutes—no shaking prowess required
• Perfect crowd-pleaser at home bars or actual cocktail bars
• Balanced sweetness meets citrus tang for universal appeal
• Uses pantry-friendly ingredients: vodka, peach schnapps, bottled lemonade
• Easy enough for beginners, yet impressive for seasoned hosts
• Portable recipe: double, triple, or scale up for parties
• No bitter tannins—just smooth, memorable sips
Ingredients
• 1 ounce plain vodka (recommendation: Tito’s or Smirnoff for smoothness)
• 1 ounce Irish liqueur (Jameson’s Irish Cream or Baileys—whichever you fancy)
• 1 ounce peach schnapps (Hiram Walker or DeKuyper brands work well)
• 1 ounce lemonade (homemade or store-bought, I love Simply Lemonade for natural flavor)
• Ice cubes (use fresh, clear ice if you can—little touches matter!)
• Lemon wheel or mint sprig, for garnish (optional but oh-so-charming)
Tip: Chill your shot glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving to keep everything crisp. If your peach schnapps is a bit sweet, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten it up.
Directions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. This keeps your Green Tea Shot Recipe super cold and refreshing.
2. Pour in the vodka, Irish liqueur, peach schnapps, and lemonade. Don’t worry about fancy orders—just get everything in there.
3. Secure the shaker lid and shake hard for about 10 seconds. You’ll feel the chill through the metal; that’s your cue.
4. Strain into two chilled shot glasses or a small rocks glass if you prefer sipping.
5. Garnish each shot with a lemon wheel slipped onto the rim or a mint sprig tucked in—cute touches make guests ooh and ahh.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy! Expect a smooth, sweet-tart flavor that blossoms on your tongue.
Servings & Timing
Makes 2 shots
Prep Time: 3 minutes (plus 10 minutes chilling your glasses)
Total Time: 13 minutes
Variations
• Sparkling Green Tea Shot: Swap lemonade for lemon-lime soda for effervescence.
• Herbal Twist: Muddle fresh mint leaves in the shaker before adding ice.
• Light Version: Substitute light vodka and sugar-free lemonade to trim calories.
• Tropical Flair: Replace peach schnapps with pineapple liqueur for a beachy vibe.
• Citrus Burst: Add a splash of orange juice for a triple-citrus punch.
• Spicy Edge: Drop in a thin slice of jalapeño for adventurous palates.
Storage & Reheating
Cocktails like this are best fresh—once mixed, sip or pour into chilled glasses within 5–10 minutes. Avoid pre-mixing more than one round unless you refrigerate the batch uncovered for up to 2 hours; flavors mellow over time. No reheating needed—just stir and serve cold.
Notes
I tested this Green Tea Shot Recipe at home bar nights and even brought it to my local pub’s amateur bartender contest—won rave reviews! If your peach schnapps tastes too saccharine, a tiny splash (about ¼ teaspoon) of lime juice helps balance sweet and tang. For very cold shots, freeze your shaker for a few minutes ahead of time. And if you’re feeling nostalgic, try silver tequila instead of vodka—it’s not traditional, but it works beautifully.
FAQs
Q: Is there actual green tea in this shot?
A: Nope—“green tea” here refers to the color and citrusy vibe, not tea leaves.
Q: Can I make this ahead for a crowd?
A: You can premix up to 8 servings and chill for 1–2 hours, but shake individual shots just before serving.
Q: What if I don’t have peach schnapps?
A: Triple sec or Cointreau makes a nice stand-in, though the peach note will shift to orange.
Q: How boozy is this drink?
A: At roughly 25–30% alcohol by volume in each shot, it’s pleasantly potent without knocking you out.
Q: Can I swap vodka for gin?
A: Sure—gin adds herbal complexity, but your shot will taste less like lemonade and more botanical.
Q: Is there a non-alcoholic version?
A: Leave out the vodka and liqueurs; replace with iced green tea and peach syrup for a mocktail.
Q: Why are some shots cloudy?
A: Cloudiness happens when chilled liqueur meets lemonade; it’s purely aesthetic—same great taste.
Q: Any tips for cleaning frosted glasses?
A: Rinse quickly with warm water (not hot), then dry gently—avoids streaks and preserves that frosty look.
Conclusion
This Green Tea Shot Recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet, sour, and easygoing spirits—ideal for backyard get-togethers, bar nights, or whenever you need a quick party starter. Ready in minutes, it uses ingredients you likely have on hand and delivers that bartender-crafted flair. Give it a whirl, let me know how it turns out, and don’t forget to explore my other cocktail recipes for more spirited inspiration!

Green Tea Shot Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce plain vodka Tito’s or Smirnoff recommended for smoothness
- 1 ounce Irish liqueur Jameson’s Irish Cream or Baileys
- 1 ounce peach schnapps Hiram Walker or DeKuyper brands
- 1 ounce lemonade Simply Lemonade recommended for natural flavor
- ice cubes use clear ice if possible
- Lemon wheel or mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
- Pour vodka, Irish liqueur, peach schnapps, and lemonade into the shaker. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into chilled shot glasses or a rocks glass.
- Garnish each shot with a lemon wheel or mint sprig. Serve immediately and enjoy!

