10 Trendy Green Tea Cocktail Recipes You Will Love

Keep reading to discover your new favorite green tea cocktail recipe!

Most of the green tea consumed in Japan is consumed for its health benefits and caffeine boost. Besides the caffeine present in tea, it also has antioxidants that help with bodily functions and protection.

Moreover, it contains an amino acid that evens out the caffeine effect on brain functions and prevents the jittery feeling that happens with excessive caffeine. In addition, green tea possesses elements that help with losing extra body fat and weight management. Last but not least, it has anti-aging compounds that work to prevent diseases like dementia, and tea is particularly good for the skin.

Matcha is also a type of green tea; it is made from finely ground tea leaves. In regular green tea, you just infuse the leaves, throw them away, and drink the liquid. Ultimately, you get minimal nutrients with this method. On the other hand, Matcha holds all the nutrients in its brightly green, grounded powder, and you whisk it in warm water and enjoy. In today's world, people add matcha to every edible product because of its health benefits and rich flavor.

1. Vodka and Green Tea Cooler

Ingredients:

• Vodka
• Green tea
• Pomegranate juice
• Syrup
• Lemon
• Flavored vodka (optional)

Preparation:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Add 1½ parts vodka, 1½ parts green tea, ½ parts pomegranate juice, ½ parts simple syrup, and one twist of lemon.
3. Stir the mixture to even out the taste. Pour it into a glass and garnish it with a lemon wedge.
4. Lastly, you can add flavored vodka, such as Smirnoff pomegranate or passion fruit, for a unique flavor.

2. Green Tea Martini

Martinis have seen many variations over the years according to people’s tastes and preferences. It is a vodka- or gin-based drink, but bartenders have made alterations by adding different flavors. The main ingredient in this recipe is green tea, which is combined with flavored vodka and other flavored liquors. Another popular variation is the green tea shooter, made with Jameson Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, sweet and sour mix, and lemon-lime soda.

Ingredients:

• Ice
• Apple juice
• Bison grass-flavored vodka
• Green mint liqueur
• Green banana syrup
• Pisang Ambon

Preparation:

1. Fill a shaker with ice and 1½ parts apple juice, 1½ parts Bison Grass Flavored Vodka, ⅓ parts green mint liqueur, ⅓ green banana syrup, and ⅓ parts Pisang Ambon.
2. Shake and strain into a cool cocktail glass.

3. Almond Green Iced Tea

It is not a liquor-based drink but a simple yet refreshing summer iced tea. The ingredients are simple and give you an energy boost. Bonus: You only need a few ingredients to make it.

Ingredients:

• Green tea
• Lemon juice
• Orgeat almond syrup
• Ice

Preparation:

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add four parts of green tea, ½ lemon juice, and ½ part Orgeat Almond Syrup. Stir and garnish with a lemon wedge.

4. Matcha Highball

Jason, a bartender from Denver, got inspired by his trip to Japan and made this drink by mixing Japanese whiskey and match powder. The green tea powder is called matcha, and it clumps when you mix it with liquid. To avoid this, you add soda, swirl to loosen the powder stuck to the sides, and pour it into a glass. You can also alter the basic recipe by adding the flavors of your choice and enjoying it to the fullest. Additionally, Irish whiskey can also be used in green tea cocktails for a different flavor profile.

Ingredients:

• Japanese whiskey
• Lemon juice
• Honey syrup
• Matcha green tea powder
• Club soda
• Ice
• Lemon wheel

Preparation:

1. Combine 2 ounces of Japanese whiskey, ½ ounce of lemon juice, ½ ounces of honey syrup, and 1⁄4 teaspoons of matcha green tea powder in a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake thoroughly and pour into a cool, ice-filled Collins glass.
3. Pour 4 ounces of cold club soda into the shaker and swirl to loosen the leftover matcha powder.
4. Pour into the glass and stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

5. Matcha and Gin

It is a great new brunch cocktail, thanks to its refreshing and spirited taste. Matcha adds a different flavor and energy to a regular cocktail, and being mixed with lemon, gin, and simple syrup makes it a flavorful drink. Another popular green tea cocktail is the Jameson Green Tea Shot, made with Jameson Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, sour mix, and lemon-lime soda.

Ingredients:

• Matcha powder
• Lemon juice
• Gin
• Syrup
• Bitters
• Ice

Preparation:

1. Add ½ teaspoons of matcha powder, 1 ounce of lemon juice, 2 ounces of gin, four teaspoons of simple syrup, and a dash of bitters.
2. Add ice and shake. Strain into a cold glass.

6. Green Tea Cosmo

It is a typical Cosmo recipe, but with a dash of green tea. Cosmos already have a different flavor mixture, and the addition of green tea just enhances the taste and energy. As the final result, you get an enjoyable and robust drink that you can enjoy anytime. For a bubbly, citrusy finish, consider topping it with lemon-lime soda.

Ingredients:

• Green tea
• Vodka
• Orange liqueur
• Lime juice
• Cranberry juice cocktail
• Lime peel
• Ice

Preparation:

In an ice-filled shaker, add 2 ounces of green tea, 1 ounce of vodka, ½ ounces of orange liqueur, ½ ounces of lime juice, and ½ ounces of cranberry juice cocktail. Shake and then strain into a cold martini glass. Garnish with a lime peel.

7. Green Tea and Cucumber Martini

Ingredients:

• Cucumber
• Fresh ginger
• Salt
• Syrup
• Citrus-flavored vodka (Belvedere or Smirnoff)
• Green tea
• Basil leaves

Preparation:

1. Muddle a 2-inch piece of cucumber and a piece of fresh ginger with a dash of salt and a bit of simple syrup.
2. Add 2 ounces of citrus-flavored vodka (Belvedere or Smirnoff), ¾ ounces of green tea, and two basil leaves.
3. Strain into a cold martini glass and garnish with a cucumber slice.

8. Green Tea Vodka Spritzer

The green tea vodka spritzer is an exciting cocktail to drink in spring due to its rich hydrating level and flavorful taste. It has a basic vodka and lime base and the famous Canadian Dry ginger ale and green tea as flavor enhancers. You can enjoy it with brunch or a night out. For a fruity twist, consider adding peach schnapps to enhance the flavor and add a sweet, fruity note.

Ingredients:

• Limes
• Vodka
• Green tea
• Canada Dry Ginger Ale
• Ice

Preparation:

1. Add two ice cubes, two limes worth of lime juice, 1 ounce vodka, 2 ounces of green tea, and a splash of Canada Dry ginger ale.
2. Stir and garnish with a slice of lime.

9. Green Tea Apple Cocktail

This cocktail involves apple cider and green tea, which are both beneficial for health, and a dash of vodka for a nerve-relaxing effect. Its preparation is simple, with just mixing every ingredient along with a bit of sugar. You can make it easy and enjoy a quick, refreshing drink. For a tangy twist, consider adding a splash of sour mix.

Ingredients:

• Vodka
• Apple cider
• Green tea
• Sugar
• Apple slice

Preparation:

Rim a cocktail glass with sugar and fill it with ice. Pour 1 ounce of vodka, ½ cup of apple cider, and fill the remainder of the glass with green tea. Garnish with an apple slice.

10. Habanero Green Tea Shooters

Ingredients:

• Vodka
• Chili habanero pepper
• Watermelon or honeydew melon ball
• Lipton sparkling green tea, berry, or strawberry kiwi for a variety
• Cilantro sprig

Preparation:

1. Combine ½ cup vodka and ½ teaspoon chili habanero pepper in a small bowl. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
2. Strain out the pepper.
3. Pour a tablespoon of the vodka mixture into ten cold shot glasses and add one watermelon or honeydew melon ball to each glass.
4. Pour one tablespoon of Lipton Sparkling Green Tea (use berry or strawberry Kiwi for a variety) into each.
5. Garnish with a cilantro sprig, and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Tea Cocktails

1. Can I use any type of green tea for these cocktail recipes, or is there a specific type recommended?

For the best results, it's ideal to use high-quality green tea or matcha powder in your cocktails. While you can use any type of green tea, matcha is often preferred for its rich flavor and vibrant color. It’s finely ground, so it blends well into cocktails, adding both visual appeal and a depth of taste. For a smoother, less intense flavor, you can use regular brewed green tea. Ensure it's well-chilled before adding it to your cocktails to maintain the drink's refreshing quality.

2. How can I adjust these recipes to be non-alcoholic or mocktail-friendly?

To make these green tea cocktails non-alcoholic, you can substitute the alcoholic ingredients with non-alcoholic alternatives. For example, use soda water or tonic water instead of spirits in recipes like the Green Tea Highball or the Green Tea Vodka Spritzer. You can also add additional fruit juices or flavored syrups to enhance the taste. For mocktails like the Green Tea Cooler or Green Tea Apple Cocktail, replacing the vodka with extra green tea or flavored sparkling water can maintain a delicious, non-alcoholic option.

3. How should I store leftover green tea cocktails or prepared green tea?

If you have leftover green tea cocktails, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's best to consume them within 24 hours to ensure the freshness and flavor are preserved. For prepared green tea, keep it in a covered pitcher or bottle in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you have mixed cocktails that include fresh ingredients like fruit or herbs, they may lose their freshness more quickly, so it's best to enjoy them as soon as possible for the best taste.

Above is part of a chapter from the author’s recent book, Green Tea Cha: How Japan and the World Enjoy Green Tea in the 21st Century. In the book, you'll find 11 more cocktail recipes, smoothie recipes, and more. You can also visit my blog to learn more about Japanese Green Tea.

This post was first published in 2017, but it was updated 15.6.2024 just for you.

• Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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- Kei and Team at Japanese Green Tea Co.