White Tea Shot: Benefits, Recipe and How to Make

Ever ordered a white tea shot at a bar and wondered why it tastes nothing like actual tea? You’re not alone. This popular party shooter has confused countless cocktail enthusiasts who expected a tea-infused drink only to discover something entirely different—and delicious.

The white tea shot is a smooth, sweet cocktail shooter that has become a staple at bars, house parties, and celebrations across the country. Despite its name, this drink contains zero tea. Instead, it gets its moniker from its pale, slightly cloudy appearance and its connection to its more famous cousin, the green tea shot. Made with just four simple ingredients, this fruity, easy-to-drink shot balances sweetness with a subtle citrus tang, making it perfect for those who find straight liquor shots too harsh.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the white tea shot—from its origins and flavor profile to a step-by-step recipe, creative variations, and tips for making the perfect pour every time.

What Is a White Tea Shot?

A white tea shot is a cocktail shooter made primarily with vodka, peach schnapps, sweet and sour mix, and a splash of lemon-lime soda. The drink emerged as a variation of the green tea shot, which was reportedly created by Jameson Irish Whiskey and gained widespread popularity starting around 2011. While the green tea shot uses Irish whiskey as its base spirit, the white tea shot swaps in vodka, resulting in a clearer, lighter-colored drink.

The name can be misleading. There is no tea of any kind in the traditional white tea shot recipe. The drink earned its tea-related name for two reasons: its appearance resembles brewed tea, and it serves as the vodka-based companion to the already-established green tea shot. Some bartenders have started adding actual white tea to their recipes for an interesting twist, but the classic version remains tea-free.

What sets this shot apart from other shooters is its approachable flavor profile. The peach schnapps provides a fruity sweetness that effectively masks the vodka’s bite, while the sour mix adds a pleasant tartness. The result is a balanced drink that goes down smoothly—perhaps a bit too smoothly for those watching their intake.

White Tea Shot Ingredients

The beauty of this cocktail lies in its simplicity. You need only four ingredients to make a classic white tea shot, and most are readily available at any liquor store.

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Vodka	0.5-1 oz	Provides the alcoholic base; neutral flavor allows other ingredients to shine
Peach Schnapps	0.5-1 oz	Adds fruity sweetness and the distinctive peachy flavor
Sweet and Sour Mix	0.5-1 oz	Balances sweetness with citrus tartness
Lemon-Lime Soda	Splash	Adds carbonation and brightness; optional topper

When selecting your vodka, a mid-range brand works perfectly well. There is no need for premium vodka since the other flavors will dominate the taste. Brands like Tito’s, Smirnoff, or Ketel One are all solid choices. Avoid bottom-shelf options, however, as they can introduce an unpleasant harshness.

For peach schnapps, DeKuyper and Hiram Walker are popular choices that provide consistent sweetness and flavor. The schnapps is arguably the most important ingredient for achieving that signature peachy taste.

Sweet and sour mix is available pre-made at most grocery stores, but making your own yields fresher, more vibrant results. A homemade version typically combines equal parts fresh lemon juice and lime juice with twice that amount of simple syrup.

How to Make a White Tea Shot

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 shot (approximately 2 oz)
Difficulty: Easy

Making a white tea shot requires no specialized bartending skills. Anyone with a cocktail shaker—or even a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid—can master this recipe.

Step 1: Prepare Your Shaker

Fill a cocktail shaker partway with ice cubes. You only need a few ice cubes; the goal is to chill and dilute the mixture slightly, not water it down excessively.

Step 2: Add Your Ingredients

Measure and pour equal parts vodka, peach schnapps, and sweet and sour mix into the shaker. Using a jigger ensures accurate measurements and a properly balanced shot. For a single shot, use half an ounce of each ingredient. For a slightly larger pour or multiple shots, use one ounce of each.

Step 3: Shake Well

Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds. The shaker should feel cold to the touch when properly chilled. This step also incorporates air into the mixture, making the final product lighter and smoother.

Step 4: Strain and Top

Strain the mixture into a shot glass, filling it about three-quarters full. Top with a small splash of lemon-lime soda for a touch of effervescence. Important: never add the soda before shaking, as the carbonation will cause pressure to build in the shaker.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

While optional, a lemon wedge, lime wheel, or thin peach slice makes an attractive garnish. Serve immediately while cold.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Pour

Temperature matters significantly with this shot. Chilling your shot glasses in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes before serving keeps the drink colder longer and enhances the overall drinking experience. Cold alcohol also tends to mask any harsh alcohol taste more effectively.

If you lack a cocktail shaker, any container with a secure lid works well. Mason jars are a popular alternative and even add a casual, rustic charm to your presentation.

For parties, prepare the mixture (minus the soda) in a large pitcher and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour portions into your shaker with ice, shake, and add the soda splash at the end. This batch method speeds up service considerably.

White Tea Shot Variations

Once you have mastered the classic recipe, experimenting with variations keeps things interesting. Here are several popular twists on the original.

Tequila White Tea Shot

Replace the vodka with blanco tequila for a version with more character and a subtle agave undertone. Use a smooth, quality tequila for best results—the mixers will not completely mask a harsh spirit.

Rum White Tea Shot

White rum provides a slightly sweeter, more tropical take on the original. This variation pairs particularly well with summer gatherings and pool parties.

Sweet White Tea Shot

For those preferring more sweetness, increase the peach schnapps slightly and reduce the sour mix. You can also add a small splash of peach syrup or use extra lemon-lime soda.

Skinny White Tea Shot

Health-conscious drinkers can reduce calories by using diet lemon-lime soda and substituting fresh lemon juice with a touch of stevia for the sour mix component. This version cuts roughly 30 to 50 calories per shot.

Non-Alcoholic White Tea Shot

For designated drivers or those avoiding alcohol, combine peach nectar or peach juice with lemonade and a splash of Sprite. While obviously different in effect, this mocktail version captures much of the flavor profile.

Actual White Tea Version

Some recipes incorporate brewed white tea (cooled) into the mix for those who want the drink to live up to its name. White peony or silver needle tea works best. Reduce the sour mix slightly to accommodate the added liquid.

Batch Recipe for Parties

For larger gatherings, scaling up is straightforward. Here’s a batch recipe that serves approximately eight:

Ingredient	Amount
Vodka	4 oz
Peach Schnapps	4 oz
Sweet and Sour Mix	4 oz
Lemon-Lime Soda	2-3 oz total (add at serving)

Combine the first three ingredients in a pitcher with ice. Stir well and refrigerate until needed. When serving, pour portions into shot glasses and top each with a small splash of soda.

White Tea Shot vs. Green Tea Shot

These sibling cocktails share remarkable similarities but have one crucial difference that sets them apart.

Feature	White Tea Shot	Green Tea Shot
Base Spirit	Vodka	Jameson Irish Whiskey
Color	Pale, slightly cloudy	Light greenish-yellow
Flavor Profile	Lighter, more neutral	Warmer, slightly spiced
Calories (approx.)	75-130 per shot	100-150 per shot
Alcohol Feel	More subtle	Slightly stronger presence

The green tea shot typically appeals to those who enjoy whiskey’s warm, complex notes, while the white tea shot suits drinkers who prefer a cleaner, more neutral spirit base. Both share the same supporting cast of peach schnapps, sour mix, and lemon-lime soda.

Many bartenders and party hosts keep both options available since preferences vary widely. The white tea version tends to be slightly lower in calories due to vodka’s typically lower caloric content compared to whiskey, though the difference is modest.

Nutritional Information

Understanding what you are consuming helps with mindful drinking. A standard white tea shot contains approximately the following nutritional values:

Nutrient	Amount (per shot)
Calories	75-130 kcal
Carbohydrates	7-14 g
Sugar	7-14 g
Protein	0 g
Fat	0 g
Alcohol Content	Approximately 12-15% ABV

Calorie counts vary depending on the exact proportions used and whether you opt for full-sugar or diet soda. The sugar content comes primarily from the peach schnapps and sweet and sour mix.

For those counting macros, the calories in alcoholic drinks are often tracked as carbohydrates. Using the formula of total calories divided by four gives an approximate carbohydrate equivalent.

Remember that alcohol affects everyone differently based on factors like body weight, tolerance, and whether you have eaten recently. The smooth taste of white tea shots can make them deceptively easy to consume, so pace yourself accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even simple cocktails can go wrong. Here are the most frequent errors and how to prevent them.

Using Warm Ingredients

Room temperature spirits produce a less refreshing shot. Keep your vodka in the freezer and refrigerate your mixers for optimal results.

Shaking with Soda

Adding the lemon-lime soda to the shaker before shaking agitates the carbonation. This creates pressure that can cause the shaker to burst open or at minimum results in a flat, less appealing final product.

Incorrect Proportions

Eyeballing measurements often leads to imbalanced drinks—too sweet, too sour, or too strong. A jigger costs a few dollars and ensures consistency with every pour.

Using Shot Glasses for Measurement

Standard shot glasses vary in size and are not designed as precise measuring tools. A 1.5-ounce shot glass might actually hold anywhere from 1.25 to 2 ounces depending on the brand.

Neglecting the Soda

While the soda is technically optional, it adds carbonation that lifts the drink and provides a pleasant finish. Skipping it entirely results in a denser, heavier shot.

Takeaways

The white tea shot is a crowd-pleasing cocktail shooter that combines vodka, peach schnapps, sweet and sour mix, and a splash of lemon-lime soda. Despite its name, the drink contains no actual tea—the name references its pale color and its relationship to the green tea shot. Its balanced sweetness and fruity flavor make it accessible to those who typically avoid straight shots.

While easy to drink, white tea shots still contain alcohol and calories that add up quickly. Each shot typically ranges from 75 to 130 calories with 12 to 15 percent alcohol content. Enjoy them responsibly, pace yourself, and always have non-alcoholic options available for those who prefer them.

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