AI-generated image Kamikaze
A bracing equal-parts cocktail of vodka, triple sec, and lime juice - a sour-family drink with Pacific War origins, served straight up in a chilled glass with a sugared rim.
Also known as Kamikaze cocktail, Kamikaze shooter
About Kamikaze
The Kamikaze is a classic short, strong cocktail made from equal parts vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, shaken hard with ice and served straight up in a chilled cocktail glass. It belongs to the sour family of drinks and is sometimes credited to American servicemen stationed in the Pacific during the Second World War, when the drink's bracing strength and immediate effect were said to recall a kamikaze strike.
The accepted modern ratio is one-to-one-to-one - vodka, triple sec, lime - shaken vigorously so the citrus oils emulsify with the spirit and a thin foam forms on the surface. The glass is usually sugared around the rim, and bartenders in Japan and the United States often adjust the sweetness by switching between curaçao and a drier orange liqueur, or by adding a small measure of simple syrup if a tarter, more citrussy version is wanted. The drink is bright, dry, and intensely cold, and is typically ordered as an aperitif or as a quick, sharp pick-me-up rather than a slow sip.
Outside the bar, the Kamikaze became a familiar shooter in the 1980s and 1990s and is one of the recognised IBA official cocktails. It is also a parent drink to several modern variations, including the Iceberg, the Razor Blade, and the Fruit-flavoured kamikaze, each of which keeps the original sour template but changes one element - usually the base spirit or the citrus.
History & Culture
The Kamikaze cocktail is a classic drink typically made with vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, though some variations include lemon. Its origins are debated: while the name references the Japanese WWII pilots, the cocktail itself is widely believed to have emerged in the United States during the 1970s, possibly at a bar in the Northeast, but no single creator is definitively documented. It gained popularity as a sweet-and-sour shooter during that era, and its association with Japan is more thematic than culinary.
Regional variations are minimal but notable - some versions use gin instead of vodka, or substitute lemon for lime, as the provided description suggests. In Japan, the cocktail is served in international bars and is recognized as a Western-style drink rather than a traditional Japanese concoction. Culturally, it represents the post-war global spread of cocktail culture, and its name evokes a sense of boldness or risk, though this is a modern marketing and barroom interpretation rather than a deep historical or ceremonial connection.
How to make Kamikaze
AI-assisted, not kitchen-testedKamikaze 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 Chill a cocktail glass or shot glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes.
- 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 Fill the shaker two-thirds full with crushed ice (about 60 g).
- 4 Shake hard for 12–15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty and the mixture is well chilled.
- 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 Garnish with a small lime wedge or wheel and serve immediately while ice-cold.
Report an issue with this recipe
Where to eat it
Hotel bars in Tokyo's Ginza and Shinjuku districts, classic cocktail bars in New York and San Francisco, and the cocktail menu of most IBA-recognised establishments worldwide.
No restaurants are listed for Kamikaze yet. Serve it? Get listed and be the first.
Planning a trip to Japan?
Find places to stay and ways to get there.
Recipes from travellers
No one has shared their own Kamikaze recipe yet. Yours would be the first.
Share how you make Kamikaze
You'll need to be signed in with Google or Facebook so your name can appear on it. Recipes go through an automatic food-safety check before they publish.
Sign in to share your recipe
Kamikaze - frequently asked questions
What is Kamikaze?
The Kamikaze is a classic short, strong cocktail made from equal parts vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, shaken hard with ice and served straight up in a chilled cocktail glass. It belongs to the sour family of drinks and is sometimes credited to American servicemen stationed in the Pacific during the Second…
What is Kamikaze made of?
Kamikaze is made with Vodka, Triple sec (or curaçao), Fresh lime juice, Ice and Sugar (for the rim).
Where does Kamikaze come from?
Kamikaze comes from Japan, and is especially associated with Worldwide (originated mid-20th century, popular in Japan and the United States). The Kamikaze cocktail is a classic drink typically made with vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, though some variations include lemon.
Where can I eat Kamikaze?
Hotel bars in Tokyo's Ginza and Shinjuku districts, classic cocktail bars in New York and San Francisco, and the cocktail menu of most IBA-recognised establishments worldwide.
How do you make Kamikaze?
Making Kamikaze at home takes about 5 minutes of prep. The recipe on this page serves 1 and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.
What else is Kamikaze called?
Kamikaze is also known as Kamikaze cocktail, Kamikaze shooter.
Taste Kamikaze in Tokyo
Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you book through these - at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Before you go to Japan
Round out your trip - most travellers book these alongside their trip.
More dishes like Kamikaze
Buri Daikon
Buri Daikon is a Japanese winter braise of yellowtail belly and daikon radish in sweet soy - a homestyle comfort dish served from a donabe to the family table.
Japan ·
Kansai, Kanto, Nationwide 
AI image
Tempura Soba
A Japanese noodle dish of soba in dashi broth, topped with a piece of crisp shrimp or kakiage tempura - a Tokyo staple since the Edo period, often eaten standing at a counter.
Sushi
Vinegared rice paired with raw fish and seafood - nigiri, maki and more.
Tonkatsu
Panko-crusted pork cutlet, shatteringly crisp outside and juicy within.
Domfront · France
Da Hong Pao · China
Charanda · Mexico
Elixir D'Anvers · Belgium
Boilermaker · United States
Künefe · Turkey
Gajak · India
Ranginak · IranTravel guides for Japan
All travel guidesPlanning a trip where Kamikaze is on the menu? These guides cover Japan and beyond.
Destination Guides Autumn in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto and the Maple Season
Sep 11, 2026 · 8 min read
Destination Guides A Food Lover's Guide to Milan, Tokyo & Seoul: What to Eat and Where
Jul 10, 2026 · 9 min read
Budget Travel Tokyo on a Budget - How to Visit Japan's Capital for €1,500 per Week
May 28, 2026 · 7 min read
Destination Guides Japan Travel Guide 2026: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Beyond
Apr 18, 2026 · 10 min read
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with Kamikaze.
Write a review
Sign in to verify you're a real person, then share your thoughts on Kamikaze.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to say something about Kamikaze.