Ingredients
- 15 ml vodka
- 15 ml triple sec or Cointreau
- 15 ml fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Add vodka, triple sec and lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 8 to 10 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled shot glass.
- Optional garnish: thin lime wheel on the rim.
- Drink in one go.
Notes
Where it came from
The Kamikaze was invented in the 1970s, possibly at the US Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan. The name is World War Two slang and the drink was reputedly the after-shift staple for sailors. The original was a shot only.
In the 1980s the Kamikaze grew up into a full cocktail (served in a coupe, sometimes with a cranberry splash) and then morphed in the 1990s into the Cosmopolitan, which is essentially a Kamikaze with cranberry and a citron vodka swap.
Why it is shaken not stirred
Shaking with ice does three things: chills the drink, dilutes the lime juice slightly so it is not face-puckering, and aerates the mixture into a smoother texture. A stirred or built-in-the-glass Kamikaze is sharp and unbalanced. Shake it properly and it tastes like a tiny Margarita.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The vodka
- Use
- Any clean premium vodka (Tito’s, Absolut, Ketel One)
- Try
- Citron vodka for extra citrus lift
- Skip
- Cheap vodka with off-notes, the lime cannot hide them
The triple sec
- Use
- Cointreau for the cleanest version, or any quality triple sec
- Try
- Combier or Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao for a more elegant pour
- Skip
- Sugary “triple sec” labels under 20 percent ABV, too sweet, no orange backbone
The lime
- Use
- Fresh-squeezed lime juice, juiced within an hour
- Skip
- Bottled lime cordial or sweetened lime juice
- Why
- Fresh lime is sharp and aromatic. Bottled is flat. Three-ingredient drinks have nowhere to hide bad ingredients
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Cointreau, Grand Marnier (sweeter, richer), or any orange liqueur.
Drink something else. Bottled lime ruins this drink.
Add 5ml simple syrup or use Cointreau instead of triple sec.
Add 15ml cranberry juice, swap to citron vodka, serve up in a coupe.
Skip the lime, use 22ml each of vodka and triple sec. Drinks like a slightly sweet vodka shot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Kamikaze?
Equal parts vodka, triple sec and fresh lime juice. The shot version is 15ml of each, shaken with ice and strained into a shot glass.
Why is it called a Kamikaze?
The name comes from World War Two-era US Navy slang. The drink was reputedly created at the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, in the 1970s. The name plays on the idea of a quick, hit-hard shot.
What is the difference between a Kamikaze and a Cosmopolitan?
A Cosmo is a Kamikaze with a splash of cranberry juice and citron-flavoured vodka, served as a full cocktail in a coupe. A Kamikaze is the shot version: vodka, triple sec, lime, no cranberry. The Cosmo is essentially the dressed-up grown-up sibling.
Is a Kamikaze a Margarita?
Same template, different spirit. A Margarita is tequila, triple sec and lime. A Kamikaze swaps tequila for vodka. The vodka version is cleaner, the tequila version is more flavourful.
How strong is a Kamikaze?
Around 25 to 28 percent ABV in the shot. Shaking with ice dilutes the spirit slightly. It tastes lighter than a straight vodka shot because of the lime.
Should the Kamikaze be shaken?
Yes. Shaking chills, dilutes and aerates the drink. A stirred Kamikaze is sharp and unbalanced. Shake hard for 8 to 10 seconds.
Can I make a non-alcoholic Kamikaze?
Use a non-alc vodka substitute (Lyre’s White Cane, Seedlip Garden) and a non-alc triple sec or just simple syrup. The lime carries the drink. It will not feel quite the same but the flavour is close.
What food goes with a Kamikaze?
Salty, fried bar food. Wings, fries, popcorn shrimp. Also works as a palate-clearer between rich dishes at a tasting menu.
