Ingredients
Instructions
Pour Melon Liqueur:
- Pour 2 oz of Midori melon liqueur into a highball glass.
Add Sours:
- Add sweet and sour mix until the glass is three-quarters full.
Top with Lemonade:
- Fill the rest of the glass with lemonade (or Sprite).
Stir Well:
- Stir the mixture well to combine the flavors.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Midori Sour 2 wasn't born in a dusty pre-Prohibition speakeasy. This drink belongs squarely to the late 20th century, riding the wave of colorful, fruit-forward cocktails that dominated bars from the 70s onward. It's a child of the disco era, when drinks got bolder and a little more fun.
At its core, it's a simple sour, but the Midori makes it distinctly its own. Forget the whiskey or gin; this one leans hard into sweet melon. It's a highball, a cousin to anything tall and refreshing, but with that unmistakable vibrant hue that grabs attention.
You'd order this at a lively bar, a casual restaurant, or anywhere you're looking for something bright and unfussy. It's the kind of drink that fits right into a poolside afternoon or a backyard BBQ. Don't expect to find it on a serious craft cocktail menu, but it's a solid choice for a good time.
What it tastes like
First sip hits with a strong, sweet melon burst from the Midori, quickly followed by the sharp, refreshing tang of the sours and lemonade. It’s a balanced act between sugary fruit and bright citrus, designed to be both easy-drinking and flavorful. Think sweet candy with a zesty kick.
With 2 oz of Midori at 21% ABV, and a generous pour of non-alcoholic mixers, this isn't a heavyweight. Expect an ABV somewhere around 6% to 8%, depending on how heavy-handed you are with the sours. It's roughly in the same ballpark as a decent craft beer, so you can enjoy a couple without needing a designated driver for your eyelids.
The technique
Building a Midori Sour 2 is about as complex as tying your shoes. Grab your highball glass, pour in the Midori, then top it off with your sweet and sour mix and lemonade. Give it a good, thorough stir to make sure everything's properly chilled and combined. No shaker needed, just a decent spoon.
Don't just give it a few lazy swirls. Really stir the damn thing. You want that melon liqueur to marry completely with the citrus, not just sit in layers. A good stir ensures every sip is consistent, from the first bright taste to the last.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Midori Melon Liqueur
- Use
- The real deal, Midori brand. Its specific honeydew flavor is key.
- Skip
- Generic green melon liqueurs. They rarely hit the same notes.
- Why
- Midori brings the signature vibrant color and that unmistakable sweet, slightly tart melon profile. It defines the drink.
Sours / Lemonade
- Use
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup for the 'sours' component, or a quality sweet and sour mix. For lemonade, a good store-bought brand or homemade.
- Skip
- Cheap, overly artificial sweet and sour mixes. They'll ruin the balance and taste.
- Why
- This is where the 'sour' in the name comes from. It cuts through Midori's sweetness, giving the drink its essential tart backbone and refreshing finish.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Midori Illusion
- More tropical, more booze.
- Add vodka, Cointreau, and pineapple juice for a potent, fruit-forward upgrade that still keeps the melon front and center.
Japanese Slipper
- The sophisticated cousin.
- Swap the lemonade for Cointreau and fresh lemon juice. It's still melon and citrus, but with a drier, more refined orange kick.
Sparkling Melon
- Lighten it up with fizz.
- Replace some or all of the lemonade with club soda or sparkling water for a less sweet, more effervescent take on the original. Still bright, just less dense.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try another melon liqueur, though the specific flavor will change. Or go with a different fruit liqueur like green apple for a similar vibe.
Mix fresh lemon juice with simple syrup. A good starting point is 2 parts lemon to 1 part syrup, then adjust to taste.
Sprite or 7Up work fine for a fizzy, sweet citrus kick. If you want less sugar, use club soda with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Any tall glass will do the job. A pint glass or even a large tumbler works in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Midori Sour 2?
A Midori Sour 2 typically contains Midori melon liqueur, sweet and sour mix, and lemonade (or a lemon-lime soda).
Is Midori Sour a strong drink?
No, it's generally a fairly light drink. With its low alcohol content from the Midori and plenty of mixers, it's comparable in strength to a strong beer.
What does Midori Sour taste like?
It tastes predominantly sweet and tart, with a distinct honeydew melon flavor from the Midori balanced by the citrus tang of the sours and lemonade.
Is Midori a mixer?
Absolutely. Midori is primarily used as a liqueur in cocktails, known for its vibrant green color and sweet melon flavor that pairs well with many spirits and juices.
What kind of glass for a Midori Sour?
A highball glass is the standard choice, offering plenty of room for ice and the drink itself.
Can I use Sprite instead of lemonade?
Yes, the recipe specifically suggests Sprite or another lemon-lime soda as an alternative to lemonade, providing a similar sweet and fizzy citrus component.
Is Midori sweet?
Yes, Midori is a sweet liqueur, known for its strong honeydew melon sweetness. The 'sour' in the drink name comes from the added citrus mixers.
How do you make a Midori Sour less sweet?
To make it less sweet, use less sweet and sour mix and more fresh lemon juice, or top it with club soda instead of lemonade or Sprite.
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