Shannon GaumontThat tiny shot glass of “green” may not be quite so green after all. It just goes to show you that the color of something can be a bit deceptive. So, why do they call it a green tea shot?
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What Is A “Green Tea Shot?”
A green tea shot is an alcoholic drink that is served in a shot glass. The name of this drink is a bit misleading, causing people to think there is tea in it. Although it’s not clear as to who created the green tea shot, there are claims that Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery was behind this drink. When browsing the various proprietary drinks, Jameson features on their website, there’s no mention of a green tea shot.
What Is In A Green Tea Shot?
The classic green tea shot contains whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix, lemon-lime soda, and lemonade. Various versions of this drink may have other ingredients. However, the “classic” recipe seems to be the one that the majority of bartenders use.
Why Are They Called “Green Tea Shots” If It Doesn’t Contain Green Tea?
There’s no definitive information that reveals why this drink implies it has green tea. Perhaps its pale color mimics that of a yellow or white tea. No one knows for sure. Many alcoholic drinks have “tea” incorporated into their name when they are void of tea altogether.
What Does A Green Tea Shot Taste Like?
Shot drinks are not meant to be sipped and savored but are downed in one gulp. There’s little chance to explore the layers of flavor that make this drink what it is. People claim the drink to be sweet and fruity with a swift punch of a sour finish.
Interestingly, tea drinkers and bartenders alike create healthier green tea shots which do contain genuine green tea. You may be wondering what the flavor profile of green tea with added alcohol must be like. Does the alcohol compound the green tea’s astringency or does it complement it?
Believe it or not, there are alcohols and teas that seamlessly pair together. However, when pairing green tea with a green tea shot, the palate will be attentive to an overall earthiness that lurks behind the other flavors. It’s more so noticeable in a green tea shot made with matcha tea.
Other Alcoholic Drinks Paired With Tea
A stout mix of black tea and alcohols like rum, cognac, or whiskey creates a sweet yet rounded drink. When green tea comes into the picture, it marries well with Japanese whiskey, which has a dimensional array of earthy flavors with a smooth sweetness. Earl Grey tea is well known for its bergamot flavor base. This intense flavor is tapped into by bartenders to create alcohol specialties with bourbon.
Exploring the different flavors of teas and alcohols can be enlightening. All it takes is a creative spark that may give birth to the next invention of a tea-based cocktail or shot drink.
What Is Green Tea?
Green tea is a caffeinated drink made from Camellia sinensis. It belongs to a group of true teas that includes black, oolong, yellow, and white tea. Green tea has the most varieties among these teas, and it happens to be the leading consumed and marketed tea in the tea industry. The majority of green tea is cultivated in Asia.
This tea offers the most health benefits because of how it’s processed. Compared to black tea, green is minimally processed, which protects the integrity of the tea leaves and their beneficial components.
Benefits Of Green Tea
The “Chinese Medicine Beneficial Effects of Green Tea: A Literature Review” states that there are proven benefits that green tea provides. These benefits include antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, immune-boosting, bone health-boosting, and more.
Does Green Tea Have Caffeine?
Green tea does contain caffeine. A six-ounce serving of green tea can have as much as 50 mg of caffeine. A classic green tea shot does not have green tea, so there will not be any caffeine. If this drink is made with matcha or other green tea, there can be up to 15 mg of caffeine per shot.
Is It Okay To Drink Green Tea Shots Every Day?
Our day-to-day lives can be impacted by the consumption of alcohol regularly. Depending on the amount consumed, our motor skills and thinking can become impaired. Developing a dependency can also occur. Those with medical conditions, on certain medications, or women who are pregnant or nursing can also be adversely affected.
If, by chance, a green tea shot contains genuine green tea, overconsumption of green tea itself has side effects. A study (Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review) cautions green tea drinkers, especially if they have heart conditions or renal impairment. It goes on to state that certain medications can interact with green tea.
How Many Calories Are In A Shot Of Green Tea?
Because the ingredients of a green tea shot may vary among those who have their own way of making one, the calories will be different. However, the leading classic recipe has about 280 calories and 34 grams of carbohydrates per shot.
To give you an idea of how long it would take to burn off just one of these yummy little shooters, we have composed some everyday activities for you.
- Mowing (with a push mower:) about 1 hour
- Cooking (standing up, non-stop:) about 2 hours
- Walk the dog: about 1 hour
Why Is A Green Tea Shot Bad For You?
Any alcoholic beverage should be consumed responsibly. Shooters are often over-consumed because drinkers are fooled by the notion that just because the serving is small, they can enjoy more than one or two. The National Institute of Health’s article on “Alcohol Abuse and Overdose” explains how less is certainly more when it comes to shooters. A shot glass contains 40% alcohol. In comparison, a glass of wine has 12%, and beer has 5%.
Shooters (in general) are often “thrown back” in one drink, and when in a charged social setting, drinkers tend to throw back numerous shots. If, by chance, a green tea shot happens to contain genuine green tea, caffeine becomes an added concern.
The University of Kansas published an article stating that combining alcohol and caffeine significantly increases the risk of alcohol poisoning. Drinkers tend to feel “less inebriated” because caffeine reverses the depressant effect of alcohol, causing a sense of energy and alertness. Drinkers can also quickly become dehydrated from the diuretic effect that caffeine and alcohol causes.
Those on certain medications or who have medical conditions may experience adverse reactions, interactions with medications, or unpleasant side effects. Consulting with your healthcare provider is recommended before consuming alcohol or tea.
How Do You Make A Green Tea Shot?
There are variations in green tea shot recipes. However, we have taken the classic green tea shot recipe and tweaked it by adding a green tea that complements its flavors. For a healthy, alcohol-free version, we have also included a recipe for you to enjoy.
Things You’ll Need For The Drink Preparation
Not all of us have an outfitted bar at home, complete with shakers, jiggers, strainers, and more. Having a few things ahead of time will help you to prepare an on-point green tea shot!
- Cocktail Shaker
- Strainer
- Shot Glasses
- Jigger
- Tea infuser (if you use loose-leaf tea)
Earl Grey Infused Green Tea Shot Recipe
If you like citrusy, fruity flavors, you’ll love this recipe. Earl Grey tea is a favorite among tea drinkers because of its layers of flavors and aromas.
Ingredients
- 10 ml of whiskey
- 10 ml of peach schnapps
- 10 ml of sour mix
- 10 ml of brewed Earl Grey tea (loose-leaf is best, but tea bags will do in a pinch)
- 4 ml of Sprite
- A few ice cubes
Directions
- Brew the Earl Grey tea ahead of time and allow it to cool.
- Place the whiskey, peach schnapps, brewed tea, sour mix, and ice in a shaker.
- Shake the mixture about 20 times.
- Pour (while straining) into a shot glass.
- Add the Sprite (don’t stir)
- Enjoy!
Alcohol-Free Earl Grey Infused Green Tea Shot Recipe
Although the whiskey is not present in this version of a green tea shot, you can still enjoy the lovely fruity sweetness of a green tea shot that is much healthier.
Ingredients
- 10 ml of alcohol-free peach schnapps
- 10 ml of alcohol-free sour mix
- 20 ml of brewed Earl Grey tea
- 4 ml of Sprite
- A few ice cubes
Directions
- Brew the Earl Grey tea ahead of time and allow it to cool.
- Place the peach schnapps, brewed tea, sour mix, and ice in a shaker.
- Shake the mixture about 20 times.
- Pour (while straining) into a shot glass.
- Add the Sprite (don’t stir)
- Enjoy!
A Shot Of Potent Goodness?
As with any other alcoholic beverage, moderation is key to enjoying a green tea shot. It is just as good sans alcohol with a much healthier kick that most can enjoy without concern.
Shannon Gaumont
