the fun part about making cocktails is the freedom to be creative in making them. mixologists get creative all the time and create new cocktails – like the tokyo tea cocktail. their creativity has led to this visually striking and mouthwatering neon green beverage that not only captures attention but also delights you with its amazing favour.
there’s always some art in creating amazing flavours, and in this case, the art lies in skilfully balancing different notes of premium white spirits and a unique liqueur. by the way, the liqueur plays a crucial role in adding a unique twist to the taste and appearance of the drink.
sounds interesting? join us as we share a detailed guide on this.
what is tokyo tea cocktail?
the tokyo iced tea is a refreshing cocktail known for its unique blend of white spirits including gin, vodka, rum, tequila and a liqueur. the combination creates an outstanding fusion of flavours and a visually striking appearance.
if you've enjoyed the classic long island iced tea (liit) before, you might notice the similarity in the combination of ingredients. in fact, the tokyo tea cocktail is usually regarded as a variation of the liit, with the only difference being the addition of midori, a melon-flavoured liqueur.
the addition of midori creates an interesting twist to the overall drinking experience. apart from being the reason behind the drink’s name (the liqueur is made in tokyo), midori serves two purposes in this cocktail. firstly, it contributes to the bright neon green colour of the cocktail and secondly, it infuses the tokyo iced tea with a sweet and fruity melon taste. craving for more details? check out our tokyo tea drink recipe.
how to make tokyo tea
like many of our favourite cocktails, the actual origin of this drink remains unknown. one thing is for sure – it didn’t originate in tokyo. while its origin may be unclear, the details of making it are not. for that, we have the tokyo tea drink recipe that we’re sharing with you.
Total Servings:-
2
Preparation Time:-
5 Minutes
Cooking Times:-
0 minutes
Nutritional Value:-
262 calories, 0g fat, 17g carbs, 0g protein
Recipe Category:-
drink
Cuisine:-
international
equipment:
- shaker
- jigger
- strainer
- two highball glasses
ingredients
- 30 ml gin
- 30 ml vodka
- 30 ml white rum
- 30 ml tequila
- 30 ml midori melon liqueur
- 30 ml triple sec
- 60 ml sweet and sour syrup (details below)
- lemon-lime soda to top up
- ice cubes
- lemon wedges and cherries for garnish
sweet and sour syrup details:
you can easily make this sweet and sour syrup at home to get the right flavour in your tokyo ice tea cocktail. first things first – combine half a cup of sugar and an equal part of water in a saucepan over medium heat. now, stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
once dissolved, let the mixture simmer for a few minutes without stirring. then, remove it from heat and allow it to cool. once it has cooled, add half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and an equal part of lime juice.
the final steps are to seal the container and shake it thoroughly. it’s better to make the syrup beforehand and store it in the refrigerator until you need to use it.
instructions
gather your tools: before diving into the mixing, make sure you have all your tools and ingredients within reach.
mix the spirits: in the cocktail shaker, combine the gin, vodka, white rum, tequila and midori melon liqueur. this eclectic mix of white spirits forms the foundation of tokyo ice tea. pour in the sweet and sour syrup also – it’ll add a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness to the cocktail.
shake it up: secure the shaker's lid tightly and shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to get a thorough blending of flavours.
prepare the glasses: take the highball glasses and fill them with ice cubes.
strain into glasses: now use a strainer to carefully pour the drink into the highball glasses and enjoy the vibrant colours of the tokyo ice tea illuminating the glasses.
top with lemon-lime soda: to give your tokyo iced tea a refreshing effervescence, top each glass with lemon-lime soda and let the bubbles add a sparkle to the drink.
garnish creatively: now you can garnish your drink by placing a wedge of lemon on the rim of each glass. you can also add a cherry. as always, garnishing will enhance the visual appeal and also add aromatic notes to the drink.
serve and sip: your tokyo tea cocktail is now ready to be enjoyed, so, raise your glass and enjoy the outstanding blend of flavours.
tokyo iced tea: a refreshing variation
while the tokyo ice tea is amazing in flavour, there’s always room for a bit of experimentation with the variations. if you resonate with that idea, we’ve provided some easy approaches for experimentation.
liqueur variation:
you can easily create a variation by trying an option from the liqueurs available. while we have used triple sec in our recipe, you’re free to think outside the box and experiment with any of the alternatives. you can go for blueberry liqueur instead of triple sec to make blueberry tokyo tea or use other liqueurs and try creating variations like tokyo iced tea martini and raspberry tokyo ice tea.
touch of bitters:
another creative way to make a variation is by adding a layer of complexity in the flavour of your tokyo ice tea with a touch of bitters. a few dashes of this will balance the sweetness of the drink and also add depth to the flavour of the drink.
fruit juice flavours:
if you wish to create a variation of the classic tokyo tea drink recipe with milder alcoholic notes, you can infuse your drink with a fruity flair by adding a bit of pineapple or orange juice. this will do the job and also add a refreshing quality to your drink.
serving tokyo tea
tips for serving the tokyo iced tea:
here are some easy serving tips to make your tokyo tea cocktail experience awesome. when serving, always include a straw. this way, the person drinking can mix the ingredients more if they prefer it that way and also ensure that the first sip isn't just too much soda.
if you're having a party and want to serve this cocktail, it's super simple. just mix the alcohol and sweet and sour mix proportionately in a big pitcher and when it's time to serve, pour the mix into highball (or collins) glasses with ice and top up with some lemon-lime soda.
ideal occasions and settings for enjoying the cocktail:
well…we recommend that you don’t restrict tokyo iced tea to specific occasions. you can consider this lively and refreshing drink for various moments and celebrations. whether it's a laid-back afternoon with friends, a festive gathering or an evening at home, this cocktail complements any mood and setting.
recommendations for pairing with japanese cuisine:
whenever you decide to enjoy tokyo tea cocktail, you can enhance your experience by pairing it with japanese food. some food items that you can consider are sushi, sashimi, tempura or tuna nigiri.
conclusion
in a nutshell, tokyo iced tea is an outstanding cocktail experience that suits almost any occasion. the neon-green cocktail with a blend of premium spirits is perfect for your laid-back arvo or a lively get-together with mates.
just remember to serve it with ice and a stirrer in highball or tall collins glasses and pair it with your favourite japanese food for a fulfilling experience.
and once you’ve enjoyed the standard tokyo tea drink recipe, unleash your inner mixologist and try the variations of the recipe. our guide on experimenting with the variations will help you make the most of it. go ahead and mix it up!
faqs on tokyo tea
q. can i make a tokyo tea without alcohol?
a. yes you can! just swap out the white spirits with their non-alcoholic counterparts, keep the other ingredients intact and follow the same process. that’s it! you'll have an equally delicious and refreshing non-alcoholic tokyo ice tea. enjoy the tasty sip sans the alcohol!
q. what flavours stand out the most in a well-made tokyo tea?
a. the most prominent flavours in a well-made tokyo iced tea are citrusy with pine-like undertones. the combination of triple sec and sweet & sour mix contributes to a tangy and fruity taste, with a hint of sweetness. the overall flavour tends to be well-blended with slightly effervescent notes.
q. what snacks or dishes complement the tokyo tea experience?
a. enjoy tokyo tea with tasty snacks like sushi rolls, delicious shrimp tempura and sliced cured meats, like ham or salami. while the flavours of the cocktail pair well with these dishes, you can also enhance the experience with citrus-infused salads or spicy appetisers. these food pairings create a delicious and balanced experience.
q. what're the top occasions for enjoying tokyo iced tea?
a. tokyo tea is perfect for hot summer days, poolside lounging and backyard gatherings. this cocktail's attention-grabbing appearance also makes it an ideal signature drink for parties. its distinctive fruity flavour and vibrant green hue make it a refreshing choice for various occasions.
