Kamikaze Shot Recipe: Vodka, Triple Sec and Lime

By Aquarium Guides Editorial Team · Updated November 10, 2026

Last Updated: November 10, 2026

A kamikaze shot is made with equal parts vodka, triple sec and fresh lime juice. For two shots, shake 1 ounce of each with ice and strain into two shot glasses. It is a small, tart and citrusy drink that tastes like a concentrated margarita with a vodka base. The recipe takes less than a minute and needs only three ingredients.

What Is in a Kamikaze

The kamikaze is a three-ingredient sour: spirit, orange liqueur and lime. That template is shared with the margarita (tequila), the sidecar (brandy and lemon) and the cosmopolitan (which adds cranberry). With vodka as the base, the kamikaze tastes clean, tart and lightly sweet. Because every ingredient is liquid and equal in volume, it is an easy recipe to scale and remember.

The drink can be served as a shot or as a short cocktail. As a shot, it is small, cold and quick. As a cocktail, the same ratio is strained into a chilled glass and sipped.

Ingredients (Two Shots)

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz triple sec or orange liqueur
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Lime wedge or wheel, for garnish

Instructions

1. Place two shot glasses in the freezer for a few minutes, if time allows.
2. Add the vodka, triple sec and lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice.
4. Shake hard for about 10 to 12 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
5. Strain evenly into the two shot glasses.
6. Garnish each with a small lime wedge and serve right away.

Shot Glass Math

A standard shot glass holds about 1.5 ounces. Shaking with ice adds dilution, so one ounce each of the three ingredients yields roughly 3.75 ounces of liquid, enough for two shots with a little left over. The table shows how to scale.

Choosing Ingredients

Use a smooth, neutral vodka. In a short drink with little to hide behind, harsh vodka tastes harsh. Triple sec varies widely: some brands are sweet and simple, others, such as Cointreau, are drier and more orange-forward. A drier liqueur makes a crisper kamikaze, while a sweeter one makes a softer, candy-like shot. Fresh lime juice is essential. Bottled lime juice has a flat, sometimes bitter taste that spoils such a simple recipe.

If your limes are small or not very juicy, plan on three to four limes for every four shots. Roll them on the counter before cutting to help release juice.

Variations

Kamikaze Cocktail

Increase the vodka to 1.5 ounces, shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe or small martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist.

Blue Kamikaze

Replace triple sec with blue curaçao for a bright blue color. The flavor is similar, since both are orange liqueurs.

Strawberry Kamikaze

Muddle one ripe strawberry in the shaker before adding the other ingredients and strain well.

Frozen Kamikaze

Blend the ingredients with a cup of ice for a slushy version. Add a little extra triple sec because cold dulls sweetness.

Kamikaze Jello Shots

Use the same flavor profile in gelatin shots by replacing part of the liquid with a gelatin mixture and chilling in small cups until set.

Garnish and Glassware

Shot glasses are standard, but the drink also works in a small stemmed glass. A thin lime wheel slit halfway and placed on the rim looks neat, and a lime wedge on a plate lets guests squeeze extra juice if they want a sharper drink. Sugar or salt rims are not traditional, but a sugared rim can soften the tartness for people who find it too sharp.

Food Pairings

• Salty snacks: Pretzels, chips and peanuts balance the acidity.
• Tacos or nachos: Casual party food suits shot-style drinks.
• Fried appetizers: The lime cuts through richness.
• Shrimp cocktail: Citrus brings out the sweetness of seafood.
• Fresh fruit: Melon and pineapple offset the tartness.

Tips for a Great Shot

• Shake with plenty of ice. A well-chilled shot tastes smoother and less alcoholic.
• Measure ingredients exactly; the equal-parts structure depends on balance.
• Strain into chilled glasses so the shot stays cold.
• Serve immediately after shaking, as the lime flavor fades quickly.
• Pace yourself. Shots are small, but they contain a significant amount of alcohol.

Kamikaze, Margarita and Cosmopolitan Compared

Several popular drinks share the same sour template of spirit, orange liqueur and citrus. Comparing them shows where the kamikaze sits.

Since the kamikaze has no extra element, it is the most direct expression of the formula. That also makes it unforgiving: poor lime juice or a harsh vodka shows up immediately.

Hosting Tips

If you are serving shots to a group, set up a small station with a shaker, a jigger, a bowl of ice and pre-squeezed lime juice in a jar. Squeeze juice no more than an hour before the party. Pour shots in batches of four to six so everyone gets one at the same time, and offer water and snacks alongside. Offer non-alcoholic options such as limeade over ice for guests who prefer not to drink. Never encourage anyone to take shots they do not want.

Fixing Common Problems

• Too sour: Add a bar spoon of simple syrup or switch to a sweeter triple sec.
• Too sweet: Increase the lime juice by a quarter ounce.
• Harsh alcohol taste: Shake longer so more ice melts, or use a smoother vodka.
• Cloudy and pulpy: Strain the lime juice before measuring.

FAQ

What does a kamikaze shot taste like?

It tastes tart and citrusy, with orange sweetness from the liqueur and a clean alcohol finish from the vodka. It resembles a vodka margarita.

Is a kamikaze the same as a lemon drop?

No. A lemon drop uses lemon juice and sugar with vodka, while a kamikaze uses lime juice and triple sec. They share a sweet-sour approach but differ in flavor.

Can I make a kamikaze without shaking?

You can stir the ingredients with ice for 20 seconds and strain, but shaking chills and dilutes more effectively and gives a brighter texture.

How many shots does one recipe make?

One ounce of each ingredient, shaken with ice, makes about two shots. Multiply the amounts for a larger group and shake in batches if your shaker is small.

Please drink responsibly and never drive after drinking.

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