Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (2024)

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Lime, vodka and a splash of triple sec - this kamikaze co*cktail or shot is one of my all-time favorite drinks.
Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (1)

"The Kamikaze Queen" is what they used to call me. Not one of my parents' prouder moments. When I was in my early twenties, I worked as a hostess at a restaurant in the popular Gastown district of Vancouver. This restaurant was the type of place where sweethearts proposed marriage, diners lingered over a fine bottle of wine, and stars came to eat in relative peace. As an aside, I found out that Richard Thomas still answers to, "Hey, John Boy!" During dinner service, we would occasionally experience some lulls as patrons lingered over their cappuccinos. I took it upon myself to disappear behind the bar and mix up a large batch of kamikaze shots. The sound of the co*cktail shaker, which contained a mixture of fresh lime juice, vodka, and triple sec, seemed to work like a dog whistle on the serving staff.

Shots lined up on the container, eight or nine of us would duck down behind the counter, toast a quick "Cheers!" and throw back the liquid treat. For those few minutes, there was not a single member of the staff on the restaurant floor. However, we emerged with smiles on our faces, ready to face a few more hours of dinner service. Unbeknownst to the owner, this became a ritual on busy Friday and Saturday evenings.

These tangy, slightly sweet drinks can be made as co*cktails, served in high ball or martini glasses, or potent shots. I will warn you - these are not for the faint of heart and it is imperative that you hand your car keys to someone far more responsible before you start to drink them. Over the years, I found that I enjoy these drinks more when I add a splash of simple syrup. One or two of these will do in my progressing years - a mere shadow of the kamikaze queen.

These are always a favorite at Christmas and New Year's Eve. Serve them alongside some of my favorite New Year's Eve appetizers.

How to make a kamikaze or shot

MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP:
Make a simple syrup by combining equal parts granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan. I typically use 1 cup of each so that I have plenty of simple syrup left over for other uses. It can be stored in a glass container, such as a jar, in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to boil, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

MAKE THE co*ckTAIL:

Fill a co*cktail shaker halfway with ice. Add 1 ½ ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ½ ounce vodka, 1 ½ ounce triple sec, and ¾ ounce simple syrup.

Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (2)
Shake well, about 20 seconds, to chill the mixture. Strain into a highball or martini glass for a single drink or, if you prefer, into 4 separate shot glasses. Garnish with a wedge of lime and serve cold.

Printable Recipe

Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (3)

Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe

Lime, vodka and a splash of triple sec - this kamikaze co*cktail or shot is one of my all-time favorite drinks.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Beverages

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Summer co*cktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cooling Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 co*cktail

Calories: 297kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

The simple syrup:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water

The co*cktail:

  • 1 ½ ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1 ½ ounces vodka
  • 1 ½ ounces triple sec
  • ¾ ounce simple syrup

Instructions

The Simple Syrup:

  • Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to boil, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

  • The co*cktail:

  • Fill a co*cktail shaker halfway with ice. Add lime juice, vodka, triple sec, and ¾ oz. simple syrup. Shake well, about 15 seconds, to chill the mixture. Strain into a highball or martini glass for a single drink or, if you prefer, into 4 separate shot glasses. Garnish with a wedge of lime and serve cold.

The co*cktail:

    Nutrition

    Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 50mg | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin C: 12.8mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (4)

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment

    1. Cassandra

      Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (9)
      It’s been so long since I’ve had a kamikaze! My husband made this last weekend and they brought back so many memories of my 20s. Really good!

      Reply

    2. Old Geezer

      "Back in the day", this was the road beverage of choice. For simplicity, we we strayed from the the traditional 5:3:1 recipe and dumped a half gallon of vodka (cheapest available), a quart of Triple-sec and a pint of lime juice into a gallon milk jug, shake vigorously and serve liberally. Serves four.

      Reply

    3. Goodtime

      My birthday is on Dec 7 and sometimes the bars would have these on special as a "Pearl Harbor Day" special. Such good memories. Haven't had one in years. Thanks for the idea!

      Reply

    4. Kimani

      Peace Queen!

      I'm getting married in less than 60 and think you've introduced me to one of my signature drinks!

      Please share the best way to make a batch for larger groups while managing the essence of the co*cktail.

      Thanks a bunch for sharing!

      Reply

    5. alice m.

      Ahhhhhh.....the Kamikaze 🙂 Still my favorite drink and shot...loved your story.

      Reply

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    Kamikaze co*cktail or Shot Recipe - Cookin' Canuck (2024)

    FAQs

    Why is the drink called Kamikaze? ›

    It is believed that the co*cktail was created in an American Naval base in Japan during World War II. At that point of time, the Kamikaze was served as a shot. The World War II soldiers named it after Japanese kamikaze bombers.

    What is the hardest mixed drink to make? ›

    Probably the most difficult co*cktail recipe to make and every bartender hates it - the RAMOS GIN FIZZ 🍸 60ml / 2oz Gin 15ml / 0.5oz Lemon Juice 15ml / 0.5oz Lime Juice 30ml / 1oz Heavy Cream 1 Dash Orange Blossom Water One Fresh Egg White Soda Water To Top - Shake all ingredients except soda water hard with one large ...

    What does triple sec do for co*cktails? ›

    Orange liqueurs are household names in the world of co*cktails, providing the perfect balance of fruitiness and sweetness to enhance the flavor of any drink. Two of the most popular orange liqueurs, Triple Sec and Curacao, are widely used by bartenders to create some of the most delicious and refreshing co*cktails.

    What are kamikaze shots made of? ›

    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.

    What drink is called the devil's drink? ›

    We know this fascinating beverage simply as “coffee.” But back in the day, some say, it was called “the devil's drink.” Coffee beans had arrived in Italy through the Venetian trade routes with North Africa and the Middle East. It was spreading throughout the Christian lands, and had strange effects on human behavior…

    What co*cktail makes you the most drunk? ›

    Made with high-proof alcohol and hardly any mixers, these ten co*cktails are sure to floor even the hardiest of drinker.
    • Death In The Afternoon. ...
    • Aunt Roberta. ...
    • Nicolashka. ...
    • Sazerac. ...
    • Caribou Lou. ...
    • Long Island Ice Tea. ...
    • Bone Dry Martini. ...
    • Negroni.
    Nov 1, 2016

    What is the most popular mixed drink in the world? ›

    Top 10 of the Most Popular co*cktails of the World
    • MANHATTAN.
    • MARGARITA.
    • ESPRESSO MARTINI.
    • WHISKEY SOUR.
    • DRY MARTINI.
    • DAIQUIRI.
    • NEGRONI.
    • 1.OLD FASHIONED.

    What does a kamikaze drink taste like? ›

    The sweet and sour flavour of the Kamikaze recipe, which combines vodka, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice, defines this drink. The sweetness of the Cointreau is balanced by the tartness of the fresh lime juice, and the vodka adds a strong punch to the drink.

    What two berries make a boysenberry? ›

    First of all, a Boysenberry is a hybrid berry. It is a cross between a Loganberry, Red Raspberry, and Blackberry. As someone who grew up with Boysenberry vines in their southern California backyard, I can tell you that it's a hardy plant that can produce quite a bit of the dark purple berry!

    Why is it called boysenberry? ›

    The berry was named after Rudolf Boysen, and Knott is considered to be the one who helped bring attention to this cultivar and make it more commercially available to other farmers and gardeners.

    Which is the co*cktail traditionally drunk in Cuba? ›

    Probably Cuba's most famous co*cktail, the mojito has undergone dozens of international variations with tequila, gin, Metaxa, soju, or other local spirit substituting Cuban rum.

    Is Cointreau or triple sec better? ›

    In conclusion, whether you prefer Cointreau or triple sec, both orange liqueurs offer their own unique taste profiles that can be used in a variety of co*cktails. While Cointreau is a premium option with a higher price point and ABV, triple sec is a more affordable and sweeter alternative.

    What is the difference between Grand Marnier and Cointreau? ›

    Cointreau is a type of triple sec, whereas Grand Marnier is triple sec combined with cognac. Both are classified as orange liqueurs in the United States. Both have 40% alcohol by volume. Cointreau is unaged, while Grand Marnier contains barrel-aged cognac.

    What does Kamikaze mean in Japanese? ›

    Kamikaze Pilots. In view of the tide of the war turning beyond Japanese control, air commanders proposed the desperate act of suicide-crashing enemy ships with their planes. The name, Kamikaze, means Heavenly, or Divine, Wind.

    Is the word Kamikaze offensive? ›

    Probably depends on the context of the conversation. The usage of “kamikaze” to describe a natural event, like a wind storm, probably wouldn't ever come off as problematic. Using it in a mocking sense, then yes, you're probably going to irritate people.

    What is the difference between cosmopolitan and Kamikaze? ›

    At its core, the Cosmo is just a kamikaze (an equally terrible co*cktail name that just means vodka, sugar and lime) with a couple of small tweaks. Simple syrup is swapped out with triple sec for a touch of citrus, and a splash of cranberry is added for tartness. That's it.

    Is a vodka Gimlet the same as a Kamikaze? ›

    In the '80s the Gimlet morphed into the Kamikaze, the ultra popular co*cktail made with vodka, Rose's lime juice and a shot of Cointreau.

    References

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