Kamikaze

Kamikaze Cocktail

The Kamikaze is a classic Japanese cocktail built on the bright, clean trio of vodka, lemon and lime. Served ice-cold as a shot or short drink, it is sharp, citrusy and refreshing.

Prep

5 min

Total

5 min

Serves

1

Difficulty

Easy

Recipe ingredients

• •45 ml (1½ fl oz) vodka, neutral Japanese vodka if available
• •20 ml (⅔ fl oz) fresh lemon juice, about half a lemon
• •20 ml (⅔ fl oz) fresh lime juice, about half a lime
• •10 ml (¼ fl oz) orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau)
• •5 g (1 tsp) fine sugar or 15 ml simple syrup, optional, to taste
• •60 g (about 2 oz) crushed ice, for shaking
• •1 piece lime wedge or wheel, for garnish

Steps

1. 1 Chill a cocktail glass or shot glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes.
2. 2 Add the vodka, lemon juice, lime juice, orange liqueur and sugar (if using) to a cocktail shaker. The classic ratio is equal parts citrus and vodka with a smaller measure of orange liqueur; sweeten only if your lemons are very sharp.
3. 3 Fill the shaker two-thirds full with crushed ice (about 60 g).
4. 4 Shake hard for 12–15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty and the mixture is well chilled.
5. 5 Strain into the chilled glass. For a short drink, strain over fresh ice in an old-fashioned glass; for a shot, strain straight into the chilled shot glass.
6. 6 Garnish with a small lime wedge or wheel and serve immediately while ice-cold.