With St. Patrick’s Day always around the corner, we introduce an easy-drinking celebratory shot for the occasion!
Created by the Jameson whiskey brand, which French liquor giant Pernod Ricard now owns as of 1988, this shot is a simple blend of Jameson Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix, and some lemon or lime soda.
Although the green tea shot does not contain green tea, it takes on a yellow-green shade reminiscent of green tea. That is why it was named “the green tea shot” and to, of course, commemorate St. Patrick’s Day.
I know… it sounds like something we’d all drink way too much of in college. However, this drink is often sipped and not shot. What’s more, the choice of Jameson Irish Whiskey is intentional for this drink. It possesses vanilla and spicy wood-tasting notes with a hint of pepper. These flavors play well with the sweetness of the peach liqueur and the sourness of lemon juice.
Sour mix is essentially lemon simple syrup, so we are making our own for this recipe for a more palatable version.
Table of Contents
What you Need to Know to Make Green Tea Shots
What is a Green Tea Shot?
A green tea shot is a blend of Jameson Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix, and lemon or lime soda that the Jameson Irish whiskey brand created to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
What is in a Typical Green Tea Shot?
- Jameson Irish whiskey: Jameson Irish Whiskey is one of the most popular types of whiskey in the world. It is a very smooth whiskey and has a slightly sweet taste with hints of wood and smoke. It is usually served neat or on the rocks.
- Peach schnapps: In general, peach schnapps is not considered to be a particularly high-quality spirit. It’s often used in sweet, fruity cocktails, or as a base for other flavoring agents.
- Sour mix: Sour mix is simply a combination of lemon juice and sugar syrup. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and tart, and it can be used in a wide variety of drinks.
- Lemon-lime soda: We prefer using a naturally-flavored sparkling water instead of sugary soda to better balance the sugar levels.
Alternatives to Jameson Irish Whiskey
Although this drink is traditionally prepared with Jameson Irish Whiskey, the following make acceptable alternatives to Jameson:
- Clontarf 1014: Both Jameson and Clontarf 1014 are smooth and full-bodied; however, Clontarf 1014 is aged longer in oak, giving it notes of vanilla and caramel.
- Powers Gold Label: Both Jameson and Powers Gold are smooth and mellow. While Jameson has a more complex flavor profile, Power Gold is slightly more floral, peaty in flavor, and a hint sweeter.
- Tullamore Dew: Both Jameson and Tullamore Dew are made with Irish barley and aged in oak; however, since Tullamore Dew is triple-distilled with spring water from the Slieve Bloom Mountains, it is smoother and possesses floral notes.
How to Choose a Peach Schnapps
Schnapps is characterized by key differences depending on where it is produced. Schnaps in Europe, mainly Germany, Austria, and Sweden, is a distilled spirit made from fermented fruit juices and a base liquor. In contrast, schnapps in North America is a sweetened liqueur made by mixing neutral grain such as barley or wheat with natural or artificial fruit flavors. The former has a much higher alcohol content and is likely enjoyed straight, while the latter is usually mixed into a cocktail.
This drink is traditionally prepared with schnapps from North America. Try to locate a bottle produced with peaches or natural peach flavors at approximately 15% – 20% alcohol content. A few notable brands are as follows:
- Rothman & Winter Orchard Peach Liqueur
- Du Bouchett Peach Schnapps
- DeKuyper Peach Schnapps
- Aspen Peach Schnapps
How to Make Lemon Simple Syrup
Lemon simple syrup is made by following these easy steps:
- Combine equal parts sugar and lemon juice into a saucepan.
- Softly boil it until it is reduced by half the original amount.
- Allow it to cool before adding it to the cocktail shaker.
Take it off the stove when the sugar is fully dissolved, and the mixture is reduced. When the syrup is hot, it will appear thin, but it will thicken as it cools.
Storage of Lemon Simple Syrup
Store lemon simple syrup in an airtight container or a mason jar in the refrigerator. You may use it for up to 1 month. When it becomes cloudy, it is time to discard it and make a new batch.
Ingredients
Green Tea Shot
- 1.5 oz. Jameson Irish whiskey
- 1 oz. DeKuyper peach schnapps
- 0.5 oz. lemon simple syrup
- 1 oz. lime sparkling water
Lemon Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup cane sugar
Instructions
Juice the Lemons
- Peel two lemon peel strips.
- Slice open and juice the lemons.
Make the Lemon Simple Syrup
- Place a saucepan on the stovetop at medium-high heat.
- Add lemon juice, two lemon peel strips, and cane sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a soft boil and allow it to reduce by half.
- Place it in a sterilized jar or container. Allow it to cool for 10 min.
Shake Up that Shot
- Pour whiskey, peach schnapps, lemon simple syrup, and lime sparkling water into a large glass. Stir or whisk until simple syrup is fully dissolved.
- Add mixture to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake it well.
Pour Those Shots
- Serve into shot glasses and enjoy.
