White Tea Shot Recipe

I may have left my party days behind me, but I still love a shot from time to time—especially a sweet shot that doesn’t taste like it was poured straight from the bottle. This white tea shot recipe is sweet enough to cover up the vodka’s harsh bite, and the candy-flavored peach schnapps adds a smooth finish. Sweet-tart sour mix and citrusy lemon-lime soda finish it off to create a shot that tastes especially refreshing on a hot day.

This recipe is a fantastic option for parties as a make-ahead vodka shot, but you don’t have to limit it to shot-worthy occasions. It also works as a refreshing, citrusy porch sipper when served on the rocks.

What is a white tea shot?

A white tea shot is made of equal parts vodka, peach schnapps and sour mix. Most recipes (ours included) finish the shot with a splash of lemon-lime soda. The shot tastes fruity and fresh, with a sweet-tart character and a bubbly finish.

Is there tea in a white tea shot?

White tea shots don’t contain any actual tea. The drink is a spin-off of a green tea shot, which is made with Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix and lemon-lime soda. The whiskey gives the shot a green hue that resembles brewed green tea. Because white tea shots are made with vodka instead, they earn their name from their clear (or “white”) color.

Ingredients for White Tea Shots

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• Vodka: Use regular vodka or swap in a citrus-flavored vodka to amp up the lemony flavor.
• Peach schnapps liqueur: This clear liqueur smells like a basket of fresh peaches and tastes sweet like candy.
• Sour mix: Sour mix gives the shot its sweet-tart character. You can use a store-bought mix or make your own sour mix with lemon and lime juice, sugar and water.
• Lemon-lime soda: Soda adds sweetness and gives the drink an effervescent quality.

Directions

Step 1: Shake the white tea shots

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Fill a shaker half full with ice. Add the vodka, schnapps and sour mix.

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Cover and shake until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker, 10 to 15 seconds.

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Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, use a Mason jar or any clean jar with a tightly fitted lid.

Step 2: Add the soda

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Stir in the soda.

Step 3: Strain and serve

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Strain the drink into two shot glasses.

Recipe Variations

• Swap the liquor: Instead of vodka, make white tea shots with another clear liquor like gin, rum or tequila. Or use Irish whiskey to create green tea shots.
• Lighten it up: To reduce the calories, use a zero-calorie soda or lemon-lime-flavored seltzer water.
• Skip the sour mix: Instead of sour mix, use a combination of simple syrup and fresh lemon or lime juice (or a mixture of both!).
• Add white tea: Although white tea shots don’t actually contain tea, you can include this namesake ingredient to add depth. Start by adding 1 ounce of brewed white tea and adjust the quantity to suit your taste. You can use cold brew tea or make iced tea with hot water (175° to 185°F water is best for white tea).

Can you make white tea shots ahead of time?

You can make a large batch of this white tea shot recipe in advance. Store them in a jar with a tightly fitted lid in the refrigerator, and serve within one week for best flavor. If you enjoy the shot’s fizzy finish, wait to add the soda until just before serving.

White Tea Shots Tips

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Can you turn a white tea shot recipe into a white tea cocktail?

You can easily make white tea cocktails using this white tea shot recipe. Simply pour the recipe into a tall glass, ice and all. Or strain it into a coupe glass and enjoy it “up” like a martini.

How do you serve white tea shots?

Serve white tea shots in cold glasses with a thinly sliced lemon wheel as a garnish. To chill the shot glasses, place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes or fill them with crushed ice while you mix the shots.