Kamikaze Shot

This popular shooter is a tart and tasty blend of vodka, triple sec, and lime.

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/8/24
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 shot

The kamikaze shooter is one of the most popular vodka shots to order in a bar. It's made of a simple blend of vodka, the orange liqueur triple sec, and lime juice. The taste is a little sweet with a punch of tartness, and it's a ton of fun at parties. Best of all, this tasty little drink is very easy to make at home, and you can shake up an entire round in no time.

Kamikaze shooter with lime slice in a heavy-bottom cocktail glass

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Why Is It Called a Kamikaze Shot?

The story goes that the kamikaze was developed in Japan sometime after World War II on a U.S. naval base. The drink is thought to have been named after Japanese kamikaze bombers. When vodka became the liquor of choice for many drinkers in the 1970s and '80s, 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 in a cocktail glass and with more lime juice.

Tips for a Great Kamikaze Shooter

  • Use fresh lime juice—Fresh lime juice adds a tart kick that makes this shot great. The dash should take nothing more than a squeeze of a wedge (about 1/4 ounce), but add a little more if you like.
  • Up the lime factor even more—If you like, the lime slice can be a wedge instead and used like the lime or lemon that is often served with a tequila shot. Suck on the wedge after drinking the shot to add even more pucker to the experience.
  • Shake it well—In order to blend the flavors and have a nicely chilled shot, shake the drink well over ice and then strain it into a shot glass.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS KAMIKAZE SHOT
A Handy Cocktail Shaker
A Shot Glass
A Paring Knife

"There were two shooters you had to know as a bartender in the early 2000's: the Lemon Drop and the Kamikaze. While only separated by the use of lemon or lime juice, they are deliciously different. The Kamikaze shooter is a tart, tangy tipple that is so enjoyable you might as well make a full one." —Sean Johnson

Kamikaze Shooter Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka

  • 1/2 ounce triple sec

  • Dash of lime juice, plus a lime slice for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for kamikaze shooter recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 1/2 ounce triple sec, and a dash of lime juice. Fill with ice.

    Cocktail shaker filled with cocktail ingredients and strainer lid on top

    The Spruce Eats

  3. Shake well.

    Cocktail shaker closed with lid; lime slices on a plate to the side

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  4. Strain into a shot glass.

    Kamikaze shooter in heavy-bottom cocktail glass with lime slices on plate

    The Spruce Eats

  5. Garnish with a small lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

    Kamikaze shooter with lime slice garnish in heavy-bottom cocktail glass

    The Spruce Eats

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Try different proportions of vodka, lime, and triple sec: You may like a kamikaze made with equal parts of the three ingredients (1/2 ounce each for a standard shot). Or try it with 1 ounce of vodka and 1/2 ounce each of the triple sec (orange liqueur) and lime juice.
  • Try a sweeter kamikaze: 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.
  • Make a blue kamikaze: Switch out the triple sec for blue curaçao, and you have a blue kamikaze. Same great flavor, just a different color.
  • Sample a green kamikaze: If you can find green curaçao (it's rare but out there), you'll enjoy a green kamikaze. A splash of melon liqueur can offer the same color with an extra layer of fruit.
  • Use flavored vodka: 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 (two popular bar shots). Other flavors work, too, so pour whatever vodka you have in the bar. For example, 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. Do be warned that kamikaze shots will get you drunk quickly.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
131 Calories
0g Fat
4g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 131
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 1mg 0%
*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.)