A Tokyo Tea cocktail bursts with bright citrus flavor and packs a bold kick that really grabs attention at any party. It looks a bit like a Long Island Iced Tea, but instead of cola, you get lemon-lime soda—so it’s lighter, more refreshing, and honestly, just more fun to drink.
You can throw this drink together at home with just a handful of ingredients and some basic steps.
I love how this cocktail brings together a bunch of spirits into one surprisingly smooth, balanced drink. When I want something strong that’s still crisp and easy to sip, this is what I reach for.
The color pops, and that sweet melon flavor really makes it stand out at parties or even just a chill night at home.
Let’s get into what tools you’ll need, how to measure everything, and how to mix it up for the best flavor. After that, I’ll talk a little about what makes it unique and how it stacks up against other cocktails.
Tokyo Tea Cocktail Recipe
Honestly, the way Tokyo Tea mixes bright citrus with that sweet melon is just awesome. It’s a colorful drink that looks great and tastes even better—especially when it’s cold and garnished with something fresh.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker – I grab this first to mix and chill everything fast.
- Jigger or shot glass – Super handy for making sure I pour the right amounts.
- Bar spoon – I use it to stir gently before topping things off.
- Collins glass or highball glass – Tall glasses just work better for all the ice and liquid.
- Strainer – Keeps the ice and any pulp from ending up in my glass.
- Ice cubes – I go for big cubes; they melt slower and keep the drink cold longer.
I always double-check that my tools are clean and, if possible, already cold. Cold tools keep the cocktail crisp and balanced—trust me, it matters.
Ingredients
- ½ oz vodka
- ½ oz rum
- ½ oz gin
- ½ oz tequila
- ½ oz triple sec or Cointreau
- ½ oz Midori melon liqueur
- 2 oz sweet and sour mix
- Splash of lemon-lime soda or pineapple juice
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: lime wheel or maraschino cherry
Midori gives it that wild green color and a light melon flavor I really like. The clear spirits make it strong but still smooth.
Just a splash of soda or juice softens things up and adds a little sweetness.
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add the vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, and Midori.
- Pour in the sweet and sour mix.
- Shake it up for about 10 seconds, or until the shaker feels cold on the outside.
- Strain everything into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top it off with a splash of lemon-lime soda or pineapple juice.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or maraschino cherry.
I always pour the soda gently so it keeps its fizz. The drink should look bright green and maybe a little frothy on top—if it does, you nailed it.
Notes
Sometimes I swap out triple sec for blue curaçao if I want a deeper color, though it does tweak the flavor a bit. Using fresh sweet and sour mix really makes a difference, too.
If I’m in the mood for something lighter, I cut the spirits down to ¼ oz each and add more soda. I like to serve it right away while it’s still cold and fizzy.
This cocktail balances citrus, melon, and sweetness in a way that’s easy to adjust—just play around with the strength or fruitiness until it’s perfect for you.
Equipment
- Jigger or shot glass
Ingredients
- 0.5 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz rum
- 0.5 oz gin
- 0.5 oz tequila
- 0.5 oz triple sec or Cointreau
- 0.5 oz Midori melon liqueur
- 2 oz sweet and sour mix
- lemon-lime soda or pineapple juice splash, for topping
- Ice cubes for shaking and serving
- Lime wheel or maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
- Add the vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec or Cointreau, and Midori melon liqueur to the shaker.
- Pour in the sweet and sour mix.
- Shake for about 10 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Fill a Collins or highball glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over the ice.
- Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda or pineapple juice.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine without losing too much fizz.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
Notes
Tasting Notes
I notice the Tokyo Tea shows off this light golden-green color—honestly, it looks pretty bright in the glass.
The mix of spirits creates a clean, balanced look; nothing cloudy here.
Taking a first sip, I get a blend of sweet, citrus, and herbal flavors right away.
The lemon brings a sharp freshness, and the melon liqueur sneaks in with a soft fruit note that smooths things out.
The drink hits crisp at first, then there’s this gentle warmth as the alcohol settles in.
I really appreciate how the sweet and sour balance keeps it from tipping into something too strong or syrupy.
Finishing the glass, a mild citrus aroma lingers for a bit.
It reminds me of green tea and lemon zest—which, honestly, makes it pretty refreshing and easy to keep sipping.
