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Here are the top Midori cocktails that showcase this bright green Japanese melon liqueur! These drinks are sweet-tart and refreshing with fresh citrus and quality ingredients.
Got a bottle of Midori? This neon green Japanese liqueur was emblematic of drinks of the 1980’s, brightly colored and intensely sweet. It’s now back in style and and better than ever, with an earthy melon flavor that makes fruity, sweet tart drinks.
I’ve made hundreds of cocktail recipes, and I’ve found that when paired with fresh lemon juice and quality ingredients, Midori creates some genuinely delicious cocktails! Here’s a list of my best Midori cocktails, from the citrusy Japanese Slipper to the classic Midori Sour.
My Top 5 Midori Cocktails
The most famous Midori cocktail is the Midori Sour. This 1980’s classic tastes like a liquid melon Jolly Rancher, but perfectly sweet tart! My spin is a refreshed version of this classic with real lemon and lime instead of the traditional sour mix.
The Midori Sour is a popular cocktail from the 1980’s that sprung up after the Japanese liqueur was introduced in the United States in 1978.
Ingredients: Midori, lemon juice, lime juice, soda water
Here’s an Midori cocktail that’s as sophisticated as it is stunning: the Japanese Slipper! This bright green drink is perfectly balanced between sweet and sour, with notes of melon and citrus (and it's not overly sweet or artificial tasting).
The Japanese Slipper was invented in 1984 in Melbourne, Australia by a French bartender named Jean-Paul Bourguignon. The fresh lemon and Cointreau harken back to classic cocktails.
Ingredients: Midori, lemon juice, Cointreau
Here’s a Midori cocktail that’s eye-catching and absolutely delicious: a spin on the Long Island Iced Tea starring the honeydew melon-flavored liqueur. It’s refreshing, zingy, and full of flavor contrasts of lemon, orange liqueur, and bright melon.
Tokyo Tea is a spin on the popular Long Island Iced Tea, invented in the 1970’s. This drink likely came about after Midori was introduced in the US in 1978.
Ingredients: vodka, tequila, white rum, gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup, Midori, soda water
Want a spin on the classic margarita? Try it with Midori melon liqueur, which makes a refreshing and unique flavor combination that is perfect for any occasion. Up your margarita game with this deliciously easy Midori cocktail. via A Grateful Meal
Ingredients: Midori, tequila, lime juice
Combine Midori with vodka and orange juice, and you've got another classic 1980's cocktail. This cocktail works serve in a martini glass, or you can combine it with soda water as a highball. Either way, it's an eye-catching green drink! via Dishes Delish
Ingredients: Midori, vodka, orange juice, honeydew melon garnish
Pro Tips for the Best Midori Cocktails
A few things I’ve learned after mixing up these green drinks:
- Use fresh citrus, always. Midori is so sweet on its own that bottled juice or sour mix is a no-go: it dips into too sweet territory.
- Less is more. Most recipes call for ½ to 1 ounce of Midori per drink. I rarely go higher, even in melon-forward cocktails: this stuff is pretty strong!
- Chill your glasses. A frosty glass makes these drinks even more impressive. Try refrigerating for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Buying and Storing Midori
Midori is a bright green, honeydew melon-flavored Japanese liqueur. It was first released in 1964 with the name Hermes Melon Liqueur. When released in the US in 1978, the name changed to Midori, the Japanese word for green.
A small bottle (375 ml) costs around $15, and a large bottle (750 ml) is about $25-30. I recommend starting with the smaller bottle if you’re new to Midori cocktails. The liqueur has a long shelf life and doesn’t need refrigeration. Store it a cool, dark cabinet away from direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Midori has a distinct sweet honeydew melon flavor. It’s intensely sweet on its own, which is why it’s almost always mixed with citrus, soda, or another sour element rather than sipped neat.
If you don’t have Midori, the closest swap is another melon liqueur such as Bols Melon or Marie Brizard Watermelon.
The neon green color comes from added food coloring. The liqueur itself is made from honeydew and yubari melons.
Like most liqueurs, an unopened bottle of Midori will last indefinitely. Once opened, it’s best within a few years, but stored properly in a cool, dark place, it won’t spoil.
More Cocktail Recipes To Try
- Classics: Try Sour Cocktails, Classic Cocktails, or my top 40 Great Cocktail Recipes.
- Easy: These 10 Easy Mixed Drinks and Cheap Drinks have just 2 to 3 ingredients.
- The Big 5: Try the best cocktails with Gin, Vodka, Whiskey or Bourbon, Tequila or Rum.
- Specialty: Make drinks with Mezcal, Fernet Branca, Aperol, Hennessy, or Licor 43.
- By Season: Go for drinks in Fall, Winter, Christmas, or Summer.
