A "green tea" shot at a bar is traditionally made by mixing whiskey, sour mix, peach schnapps, and ginger ale and serving it in a shot glass. If made right, it astonishingly tastes just like sweet green tea without the actual tea. We here at Plum Deluxe love our tea, though, so I broke out some alchemy skills and came up with a healthier, tea-based version that should help put a pep in your step during those long holiday parties.
The Green Toddy Shot
The green toddy is a spin-off of the seasonal hot toddy, but in a chilled shot for a quick pick-me-up. This recipe uses an easy homemade lemon ginger honey to sweeten a combination of green tea, whiskey, and mandarin orange, which is in season and full of vitamin C. The caffeinated-but-not-too-caffeinated green tea concentrate will lend a hand to your energy levels while still imbibing in the party atmosphere. I like that the shot isn’t too strong, with more green tea and sweeteners than whiskey. This makes it a good option for when you want a little something, but prefer a clearer head for a long night ahead.
This recipe makes two shots; batching ahead of time is suggested. You want to stick with a lightly fruity green tea like Abundance Blend or something citrusy like Contemplative Blend.
First, you need to make the green tea concentrate. You can use 2 tablespoons of tea to 8 ounces of water or 1/4 cup of tea to 16 ounces of water, depending on how many shots you plan to make. To batch the recipe, stick to the ratios of 4:3 of green tea to whiskey and sweeten to taste.
I recommend you pre-mix a batch and keep it chilled, so you don’t have to worry about fussing over a recipe when you are socializing. The first two of the green tea shot recipes begin with the lemon ginger honey (recipe below).
Green Toddy Shot
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons green tea
- 8 oz water
- 1 teaspoon lemon ginger honey
- 1.5 oz whiskey
- 1/2 mandarin orange, juiced
Directions:
Heat water to 180 degrees, or just before boiling. Pour water over tea leaves and steep for 3.5 minutes. Strain leaves and allow to cool.
Mix 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) of green tea concentrate with whiskey, lemon ginger honey, and the juice of half a mandarin orange. Keep chilled.
When you are ready to serve, shake ingredients with one ice cube and pour into shot glasses.
Lemon Ginger Honey
This infused honey is a favorite of mine in winter. It goes beyond replacing a simple syrup in mixed drinks to flavor tea, smoothies, baked goods, or a bit of toast in the morning. It also makes an impressive hostess gift. There is no exact ratio, as you can flavor it to your taste preference.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz honey
- 1 lemon
- 1 chunk of fresh ginger
Directions:
Wash the lemon and slice it thinly. Peel the ginger and cut into slices.
Layer the lemon and ginger into a clean mason jar and top with honey. Use a butter knife to stir and make sure there are no air bubbles.
Place honey in the fridge for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. The honey will become thin like a syrup when it is infused with the lemon and ginger juices.
The Red and Green Shot
The hot toddy is a classic, but maybe you prefer your holidays without alcohol, or you need a pick-me-up outside of cocktail hour. That’s when we reach for the Red and Green Shot. Comprised of green tea, cranberry juice, wheatgrass, and mandarin orange, it’s a quick toast to your health that’s high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and holiday spirit to keep you going.
I like to keep this mixed in the fridge and take shots throughout the day when I need a boost. It could still pass as a cocktail at a party, or just be loaded up in a travel tumbler for a busy day out. This makes 20 ounces, or about 15-20 shots depending on your pour.
The Red and Green Shot
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon wheatgrass powder (available in health food stores or online)
- 1 cup of green tea concentrate (recipe above)
- 1 tablespoon of lemon ginger honey (recipe above)
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- Juice of one mandarin orange
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together by vigorously shaking in a mason jar or a blender bottle until the wheatgrass powder dissolves.
Shake each time before pouring into a shot glass.
Keep chilled.
Matcha Red and Green Shot
If you just don’t have the time or patience to make infused honey and green tea concentrate, but need something energizing and quick, mix up a more instant version of the Red and Green using matcha. I used mango flavored matcha, but I don’t think you can go wrong with any of Plum Deluxe’s options.
Matcha Red and Green Shot
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cranberry juice
- 1.5 teaspoons wheatgrass
- 1.5 teaspoons matcha powder
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together by shaking vigorously in a mason jar or blender bottle until powders mostly dissolve.
Shake each time before pouring into shot glass.
Keep chilled.
