Midori is a somewhat polarizing liqueur, due to its distinct melon flavor.
However, with the right ingredients, and the proper care and knowhow, Midori can make a delicious cocktail that is both tasty, refreshing, and infinitely attractive – thanks to the shimmering green coloring that has become synonymous with the brand.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best Midori cocktail recipes on the market!
Table of Contents
1. The Midori Sour
First on this list is the Midori sour, a fresh new take on the classic whiskey sour – changing out the usual bourbon whiskey with Midori melon liqueur, and adding lime juice and egg whites to create something truly refreshing, fruity, and memorable.
This is the perfect coming together of sweet and sour, with the lime juice and melon flavor balancing perfectly to create something that – despite sounding strange at first – will become your new go-to drink in no time at all.
2. Midori Martini
The martini is a classic for a reason. It is smooth, dry, elegant, and infinitely stylish – thanks to association with 007 himself, James Bond.
This fresh take on that classic takes the usual gin base and replaces it with Midori, combining that with vodka, lemonade, simple syrup, and maraschino cherries to create something truly memorable and devilishly tasty.
3. Midori Illusion
This next concoction is a popular contender amongst mixologists and cocktail lovers alike, offering a sweet, tangy, and complex drink that will always leave you wanting more.
Named the ‘Illusion’, that’s exactly what this cocktail is – wafting you with smokescreens of flavor and complexity, and constantly managing to surprise you with each sip.
The Illusion takes Midori, and adds vodka, cointreau, pineapple juice, and lemon juice, and after just a few sips you will be ensnared forever.
4. Midori Glow
This is an example of a standard Midori cocktail, featuring a simple combination of Midori melon liqueur, vodka, lime flavored carbonated mixer, and ice cubes – creating something simplistic but pristine in terms of flavor and appearance.
This might seem like a boring entry on this list, but this simple, subtle concoction has much to offer in terms of flavor, fizz, and refreshment.
5. The ‘Frozen Melon Ball’
Now for something a little different.
The Frozen Melon Ball takes what you would expect from a classic Midori cocktail and amps things up to eleven – combining it with vodka, honeydew melon juice, lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and layers of crushed ice for the perfect summer beverage.
Complex yet perfectly balanced, the orange is the perfect counterpart to the lime, and the vodka gives just enough of a bite to keep things interesting.
Whatever your opinion on Midori, this is not one you are going to forget anytime soon!
6. ‘Witches Brew’ Cocktail
For something a little more Halloween themed, this Witches Brew cocktail is certainly one to try. This is simple in principle, but then again the best things are.
The Witches Brew takes Midori, Triple Sec, and lemon juice, topping that with a maraschino cherry and some edible dry ice to give it that unmistakably spooky look.
This is perfect for Halloween punch, and your party guests will certainly thank you for it!
7. ‘The Grinch’ Cocktail
Now, when we think of the Midori liqueur, it is hard not to think of the color green. And this means that Midori constantly gets specialist drinks named after famous green characters – such as The Grinch.
This also takes the name due to its status as a holiday cocktail, allowing you to bring in the festive period with delightful flavor combinations that will leave you with a fuzzy feeling inside that you won’t be able to shake.
Taking Midori liqueur, The Grinch then adds white rum, lemon and lime soda, and a maraschino cherry to create something just nice enough to be Christmassy, and just naughty enough to keep things interesting.
8. Caribbean Water
As a Japanese liqueur, Midori might not seem compatible with Caribbean cocktail flavorings, but this ‘Caribbean Water’ is certainly the exception to that rule.
Taking Midori melon liqueur, and combining it with coconut rum, and lemon & lime soda, Caribbean water is as attractive and crystal clear as the region from which it takes its name.
9. Tokyo Tea
Don’t let its name fool you, this cocktail is anything but tea.
One for the cocktail aficionados, Tokyo Tea returns this traditional Japanese liqueur back to its homeland, stopping at a few other countries on the way.
With a Midori base, Tokyo Tea features vodka, gin, tequila, rum, Triple Sec, lemon and lime soda, and a fruit garnish of kiwi and lime slices to create something truly remarkable and delicious.
This is essentially a Japanese take on the classic Long Island Iced Tea, and is certainly not for the faint of heart.
10. Midori Gin & Tonic
Gin & Tonic is a staple of any cocktail menu, and in many ways it has surpassed the separate moniker of ‘cocktail’ to become a standard drink in almost every drinking establishment in the world.
This Midori gin and tonic is a refreshing take on this world classic, taking Midori melon liqueur and adding gin, tonic water, and a lemon garnish to create something so simple yet oh so delicious.
11. Midori Colada
Do you like pina colada? How about getting caught in the rain? Nevermind…
The pina colada is a popular cocktail composed of coconut rum, and is the perfect taste of summer nights and golden, sun kissed sands.
The Midori colada on the other hand takes this summertime classic and transports it to Eastern Asia, infusing Midori liqueur with white Bacardi rum, canned coconut milk, pineapple juice, and lime juice to create something rich, fruity, and absolutely delicious.
This might seem like a small take on a classic, but after one single sip you will be happy you made the switch!
12. The Midori Sunrise
It really is the versatility of Midori that makes it such a good cocktail ingredient!
This cocktail offers a fresh take on the Tequila Sunrise, taking Midori and combining it with lemon liqueur, orange juice, lemonade, and lemon wedges to create the perfect summer beverage – Japanese style.
13. Midori Cactus Juice
Cactus Juice is a popular summer cocktail, loved the world over for its freshness, fruitiness, and perfect combination of flavors.
However, this version of the classic takes the cactus part – namely the Tequila – and replaces it with Midori melon liqueur, combining it with vodka, coconut rum, pineapple juice, and soda water to create something as intriguing as it is refreshing.
It is the clean flavor of Midori that makes it such a good replacement for other notable liquors, making it a consistently popular liqueur enjoyed by mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts all around the world.
14. Midori & Cranberry
Of course, Midori doesn’t have to be bright green.
This Midori and cranberry is exactly what it sounds like, and offers a subtle, attractive red color that makes it perfect for seasonal punches, romantic cocktails, or just those quiet nights when you need to unwind with a cocktail.
What’s more, it couldn’t be tastier, offering a subtle, fruity flavor that is light and refreshing, whatever the occasion or time of year.
15. The ‘Pearl Harbor’
Last on our list, but by no means least,’The Pearl Harbor’ is the perfect coming together of Midori melon liqueur, pineapple juice, and vodka – creating something fruity, balanced, and with just enough bite and danger to make things interesting.
The pineapple juice gives it an island feel as warm and refreshing as the breeze off the Caribbean sea, and the Midori and vodka come together to perfectly balance one another in a way that has to be tasted to be believed.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to have the perfect Midori cocktail at home.
Midori can be surprisingly versatile as a liqueur, and one that often gets overlooked in the pantheon of modern mixology. However, with the right touch, Midori can make a fantastic cocktail that you won’t soon forget.
So, if you are in the mood for something a little different, then why not give Midori a try? Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
