Kamikaze
Vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime in equal parts — a reliably balanced shooter and the closest thing to a vodka Margarita in the American dive bar repertoire.
- 1 ozvodka
- 1 oztriple sec
- 1 ozfresh lime juice(freshly squeezed)
- lime wedgegarnish
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The Kamikaze shot — equal parts vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime juice — emerged in American bars during the 1970s, taking its name from the Japanese term for divine wind that was applied to the WWII-era pilots who flew suicide missions against Allied naval forces. The drink's name references the sharp, immediate intensity of the shot rather than any political statement. The equal-parts formula produces one of the most balanced shooters in the cocktail repertoire: vodka provides the spirit backbone, triple sec adds orange sweetness and body, and lime juice contributes bright acidity that prevents the drink from becoming cloying. The Kamikaze became a reliable dive bar and college venue staple throughout the 1980s and 1990s, served as either a shot or a full-size cocktail on the rocks. In full-size form it functions as a Margarita variation with vodka replacing tequila.
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