Tea and Health

The "Green Tea Shot" on bar menus is a cocktail of Jameson whiskey, peach schnapps, and sour mix. There's no green tea in it; it just looks green. This recipe makes a real green tea shot instead, with high-altitude Nepali green tea, fresh fruit, and no alcohol at all.

It's bright, slightly sweet, and a little tart, and it has the antioxidants and L-theanine that make green tea worth drinking.

Ingredients

Makes 4 shots | Prep: 10 minutes | Chill: 20 minutes

• 1 cup brewed loose leaf green tea (4g of tea, brewed at 75 to 80°C for 90 seconds and cooled completely)
• ½ cup fresh or store-bought peach juice (or mango juice for a tropical version)
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• ¼ cup sparkling water or lemon-lime soda
• Ice cubes
• Optional garnish: cucumber slices, a lime wedge, or fresh mint

Why Use High-Altitude Loose Leaf Green Tea?

The quality of the tea matters here. Green tea grown at high altitude, like our teas from Ilam at 5,500 feet, has far more catechins and L-theanine than commodity tea, because the leaves develop slowly at elevation. It also tastes cleaner and less bitter, so you won't need sugar to cover up harshness.

Our Floral Green Tea works especially well, since its natural sweetness and light floral note go with the peach instead of fighting it. Organic Light Green Tea is another excellent choice, with a clean, grassy base that holds up well in a mix.

One important point: brew the tea cooler than usual. Water at 75 to 80°C, not boiling, keeps it from turning bitter. Let it cool to room temperature or chill it before mixing, because warm tea will melt the ice and water everything down.

Method

1. Brew and cool the tea. Steep 4g of loose leaf green tea in 250ml of water at 75 to 80°C for 90 seconds. Remove the leaves and let it cool completely (about 20 minutes at room temperature, or 10 minutes in the fridge).
2. Mix the liquids. In a jug or cocktail shaker, combine the cooled tea, peach juice, lemon juice, and honey or simple syrup. Stir or shake gently until the sweetener dissolves.
3. Taste and adjust. Add more lemon juice for tartness or more honey for sweetness. It should lean slightly tart.
4. Add ice and shake. Fill a shaker with ice, add the mixture, and shake hard for 15 seconds.
5. Pour into shot glasses. Strain into four small glasses and top each with a splash of sparkling water or soda for some fizz.
6. Garnish and serve. Finish with a cucumber slice, lime wedge, or sprig of mint.

Nutritional Information (Per Shot)

• Calories: 25 to 35
• Caffeine: 15 to 20mg (from the green tea)
• Sugar: 5 to 7g (mostly from the peach juice and honey)
• Antioxidants: high (EGCG and other catechins from the green tea)

Variations to Try

• Tropical: Use mango or pineapple juice instead of peach for a brighter tropical flavour.
• Ginger: Add ½ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger for a warming, anti-inflammatory kick.
• Matcha: Use ½ teaspoon of ceremonial matcha whisked into cold water instead of brewed green tea, for a deeper colour and a stronger, earthier flavour.
• Fresh mint: Muddle 4 to 5 fresh mint leaves in the shaker before adding the ice for a cooling twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. You can brew and cool the tea up to 24 hours ahead. Mix everything except the ice and soda and keep it in the fridge, then add the ice and sparkling water just before serving so it stays fizzy.

What green tea should I use?
Any good loose leaf green tea works. Avoid tea bags, because the low-grade fannings in them can make the drink bitter in a way that's hard to balance when it's cold. We recommend Nepal Hills Floral Green Tea for its natural sweetness and clean flavour.

Is this recipe caffeine-free?
No. Brewed green tea has roughly 25 to 40mg of caffeine per cup, and about 15 to 20mg of that ends up in each shot. For a caffeine-free version, use rooibos as the base instead, though it will taste different.

Can I multiply this recipe for a party?
Yes. Scale everything up and keep the mixed base (without soda or ice) in a pitcher in the fridge. Stir it before serving and add sparkling water as you pour each shot.