Liqueur Lowdown is a series that gives you the lowdown on different types of popular liqueurs  – what they are, how they taste and how to use them in cocktails or otherwise! Liqueurs are a form of sweetened liquor that you can use to add flavor to your cocktails, or simply drink neat for a pre- and post-meal treat!

What Is Midori? How Does Midori Taste?

Midori is a Japanese melon liqueur made with two different types of Japanese muskmelons and a neutral grain spirit. Bright-green colored, it’s very sweet and candy-like with a syrupy texture and a distinct taste of honeydew and melons.

How Is Midori Created?

Midori is produced with Japanese muskmelons and yubari fruit, both of which are harvested exclusively in Japan. Yubari melons are harvested in Yubari city, then infused and distilled with neutral grain spirit and sugar. This yubari distillate is then mixed with a musk melon infusion made in Shizuoka, then sent to Mexico or France to be blended with cane sugar and brandy. Green food coloring is added at this stage to give it is distinctive neon green appearance.

Fun Fact

Midori made its debut in New York at Studio54 during a party held by the cast and crew of Saturday Night Fever, meaning John Travolta was probably one of the first in the U.S. to get a taste test! 

Other Variations / Substitutes

Midori has quite a distinctive taste that is difficult to substitute. You could consider using liqueurs with a similar melon-like profile like De Kuyper and Bols Green, though Midori may wind up being a more accessible to purchase for consumers here in Asia.

How To Use Midori

Given its Jolly Rancher candy like sweetness, Midori can be too cloying when drunk neat. However, it is a distinctive ingredient that you will need to make many popular cocktails. Note that some element of sourness is often added to counterbalance the sweet melon syrup that is Midori: 

• Midori Sour: Mix 1 Midori with 1 part vodka and 1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice into a glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wedge.
• Japanese Slipper: Mix 1 part Midori, 1 part triple sec and 1 part lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Add ice and shake again. Strain into a coupe. 

For a quick and easy party drink for those who don’t take themselves too seriously, mix Midori with vodka and 7-up for a boozy Mountain Dew like concoction.