Kamikaze Shooter

Written by
Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Colleen Graham
Updated 07/22/19
Kamikaze shooter

The Spruce
  • Total: 3 mins
  • Prep: 3 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 1 shot (1 serving)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
186 Calories
0g Fat
21g Carbs
1g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1 shot (1 serving)
Amount per serving
Calories 186
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Protein 1g
Calcium 44mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The kamikaze shooter is one of the best-known vodka shots in the bar. It's a little sweet, has a punch of tart lime, and is a ton of fun at parties. Best of all, it's very easy to make and you can shake up an entire round in no time.

The story goes that the kamikaze was developed sometime after World War II in Japan on a U.S. naval base. In the '70s and '80s when vodka was the liquor of choice for many drinkers, the shot became a staple in U.S. bars and it remains a favorite today. There are also colorful kamikazes and quick ways to give it a flavor boost. The shot even inspired the popular kamikaze cocktail, which is essentially the same drink with more lime juice that's served in a cocktail glass.

All kamikazes have a background of vodka and a sweet orange liqueur (triple sec is most common) accented with the tart taste from lime juice. It's a tasty little drink that will take you back a bit when the lime hits your tongue, but that's part of the fun.

If you like, the lime wedge can be used like the lemon served with a tequila shot. Take a bite of the wedge after drinking the shot to add even more pucker to the experience.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka
  • 1/2 ounce orange liqueur
  • Dash lime juice
  • Garnish: lime wedge

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for kamikaze shooter
    The Spruce

  2. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.

    Cocktail shaker
    The Spruce
  3. Kamikaze shooter
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  4. Strain into a shot glass.

    Kamikaze shot
    The Spruce

  5. Garnish with the lime wedge.

    Lime wedge garnish
    The Spruce 

  6. Serve and enjoy!

Tip

  • Fresh lime juice adds a tart kick that makes this shot great (and led to its name). Add a little more if you like.

Recipe Variations

  • Some people like to use sweetened lime juice (e.g., Rose's) or sour mix rather than fresh lime. With either of these, you lose some of that lime bite.
  • Switch out the clear orange liqueur for blue curaçao and you have a blue kamikaze. Same great flavor, just a different color!
  • If you can find green curaçao (it's rare, but out there), you'll enjoy a green kamikaze. A splash of melon liqueur (e.g., Midori) can offer the same color with an extra layer of fruit.
  • Pour any flavored vodka you like in the kamikaze. It's a quick way to give it a flavor twist. This simple switch is often the secret to producing cranberry kamikazes and raspberry kamikazes, both of which are very popular variations. Other flavors work, too, so pour whatever vodka you have in the bar.
  • UV Blue Vodka will create a blue raspberry kamikaze and UV Green makes a green apple kamikaze.

How Strong Is a Kamikaze Shot?

The kamikaze not only has a flavor punch, but it also comes with an alcohol kick. On average, this drink's alcohol content is 29 percent ABV (60 proof), making it rather potent.

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