Midori is a bright green melon liqueur that deserves a place in your collection! Here’s more about it and how to use it in cocktails.
Here’s a unique liqueur that tastes as bright as a looks: Midori! This electric green liqueur was at its highest heights in the 1980’s, when neon drinks were the norm. But today it’s seeing a bit of a resurgence: and we think it’s worth adding to your collection. This melon-flavored liqueur tastes a bit like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, but if you use it correctly it can be seriously delicious. Here’s what to know!
What is Midori?
Midori is an electric 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.
Midori became popular in the 1980’s, where it was often paired with sour mix and vodka to make a sickly sweet party drink, the Midori Sour. It got a bit of a bad rap and fell out of a popularity. Today it’s had a bit of a resurgence in cocktails. Use it wisely and it adds a sweet honeydew melon flavor and lovely green color.
What does Midori taste like?
Midori liqueur is very sweet, with a candy-like honeydew melon flavor: think watermelon Jolly Rancher. It’s typically mixed into cocktails instead of drinking it straight.
How much alcohol is in Midori? It is 21% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it has a relatively low alcohol content. Compare it to 40% ABV for spirits like whiskey, rum, vodka and gin.
Are there any substitutes? Midori is a unique liqueur that’s worth seeking out. But in a pinch, you can substitute Bols green watermelon liqueur.
Why we like it
Midori has a deliciously candy-sweet flavor that makes a great cocktail when it’s paired with fresh citrus or other liquors. We love it in a modern Midori Sour.
Confession: we weren’t of drinking age in the 1980’s, so we don’t have any of the retro baggage related to this ultra-popular liqueur. While it has since faded in popularity, we think it deserves a revival.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liquors, Midori is mid-priced. It costs about $12 to $13 for a 375 ml bottle and about $18 to $23 for a 750 ml bottle.
Most popular Midori cocktails
Midori is usually used in cocktails, not consumed straight or as a shot. Here are the most popular Midori cocktails:
Japanese Slipper
The Japanese Slipper was invented in 1984 in Australia by a French bartender. A sales rep brought him a bottle of the new Japanese melon liqueur, Midori. He mixed it with lemon juice and Cointreau, an orange liqueur from his native France. It became an instant hit: it's citrusy, melon-scented, and surprisingly well balanced.
Midori Sour
This 1980’s Midori cocktail is like the drink equivalent of a melon Jolly Rancher. But it’s not overly sweet: it’s perfectly sweet tart! This drink was big in the 1980s and 90’s made with sour mix, but try our refreshed version of this classic with real lemon and lime.
Tokyo Tea
Here's a Midori cocktail that's a spin on the Long Island Iced Tea. Reserve your judgement until you taste this one. This is by no means a low-brow drink! It’s refreshing, zingy, and full of intriguing flavor with the contrasts of lemon, orange liqueur, and bright melon.
Japanese Slipper (with Midori)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
The Japanese Slipper is a sophisticated sweet and sour green cocktail with notes of melon and citrus. A true stunner!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces* Midori
- 1 ½ ounces Cointreau
- 1 ½ ounces lemon juice
- For the garnish: Cocktail cherry (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold.
- Strain the drink into a cocktail or martini glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry and serve.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: Midori
More cocktail guides
Need more liquor guides? We’ve got them! Here’s all you need to know about home bartending:
- Absinthe Guide This formerly banned liquor is now in good graces.
- Aperol Guide and Campari Guide All you need to know about these Italian liqueurs.
- Baileys Guide All the ins and outs of Irish Cream.
- Chartreuse Guide This pale green liqueur is worth adding to your collection…here’s why.
- Cointreau Guide, Blue Curacao Guide, or Orange Liqueur Guide Citrus liqueurs…broken down.
- Galliano Guide Is this bright yellow liqueur worth buying?
- Grenadine Guide It’s mistaken as cherry, but this bright syrup has a secret.
- Kahlua Guide Learn about this popular Mexican coffee liqueur
Add QF or Quick Fix shot, a mixture of Kahlua, Midori and Baileys in equal parts. It was popular in Australia in the early 2000.