Tokyo Tea
A visually striking, vibrant green variation of the Long Island Iced Tea, distinguished by Midori melon liqueur. This potent disco-era cocktail prioritizes bold aesthetics and sweet melon flavor over subtle complexity.
19%
ABV
medium
Difficulty
highball
Glass
History & Heritage
“The Tokyo Tea's exact origin is undocumented, but it emerged as a direct descendant of the Long Island Iced Tea in the late 1970s or 1980s. Its creation is intrinsically linked to Midori, a Japanese melon liqueur launched in the United States in 1978. The name "Tokyo Tea" is a clear nod to the Japanese origin of this key ingredient. Bartenders likely began experimenting with Long Island variations, substituting Midori for triple sec and clear soda for cola to showcase the liqueur's vibrant green color. The cocktail has recently experienced a resurgence on social media platforms like TikTok, introducing it to a new generation drawn to its striking appearance.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.5 oz
0.3 oz
0.8 oz
0.3 oz
2 oz
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Combine vodka, rum, tequila, gin, Midori, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled
Strain into a highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice
Top with lemon-lime soda to preserve effervescence
Garnish with a Luxardo cherry and lime wheel
Glassware
Served in a highball or Collins glass to showcase the vibrant green color and accommodate the volume
Garnish
Use a high-quality maraschino cherry for sophisticated flavor
Cut a fresh lime wheel with a small incision to perch on rim
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use fresh lime juice and simple syrup instead of bottled sweet and sour mix
Shake vigorously to properly chill and integrate the multiple spirits
Add lemon-lime soda last to preserve carbonation
Use quality ice that won't melt too quickly and over-dilute
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Tokyo Tea.
Extra Melon
Increases Midori to 1 oz for more pronounced melon flavor and deeper green color
Changes
Less Sweet
Reduces or eliminates simple syrup for those who prefer less sweetness
Changes
Premium Tokyo Tea
Uses Cointreau instead of triple sec for more refined orange flavor
Changes
More to Explore
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Vodka Gimlet
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Long Island Iced Tea
Equal parts vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec shaken with lemon and cola for a famously boozy "iced" tea.