Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Melon Liqueur
- top with Lemonade
Instructions
Prepare Your Glass:
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
Add Melon Liqueur:
- Pour 1.5 oz of melon liqueur over the ice.
Top with Lemonade:
- Fill the rest of the glass with lemonade.
Stir:
- Gently stir to combine the ingredients.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Midori, the melon liqueur, launched in the US in 1978. Simple highball style drinks like this often emerge from brand promotion or casual experimentation in bars. A Midori Lemonade is a natural pairing, combining a popular liqueur with a universally loved mixer. It’s less a classic recipe and more a bar staple, found wherever Midori is stocked.
This drink sits squarely in the highball family, similar to a Vodka Lemonade or a Gin & Tonic. Its closest relatives might be other Midori-based highballs like the Midori Sour (with lemon and simple) or a Midori & Soda. What sets the Midori Lemonade apart is its specific combination of the liqueur’s distinct melon flavor with the pre-sweetened, tart profile of lemonade, making it an instant, easy mix.
You’ll find the Midori Lemonade at casual bars, beachside resorts, or any spot catering to a crowd looking for something refreshing and sweet. It’s a common order at happy hour or during daytime events where lighter, fruitier drinks are preferred. It’s also an easy one to batch and serve at a backyard BBQ or a relaxed get-together.
What it tastes like
On the front, you get a rush of bright, sweet melon, unmistakably from the Midori. This quickly blends into the zesty, tart notes of the lemonade in the mid-palate, cutting through the liqueur’s sweetness. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering hints of both melon and citrus, leaving a pleasant, thirst-quenching sensation.
Assuming a standard 20% ABV Midori and topping with non-alcoholic lemonade, a 1.5 oz pour in a typical 12 oz glass means the Midori makes up about 12.5% of the total volume. This puts the drink at roughly 2.5% ABV. That’s significantly lighter than most beers, which average 4-6% ABV, and far less potent than a standard 3 oz spirit cocktail, making it a very low alcohol option.
The technique
Building this drink is about as simple as it gets. Grab a tall glass, ideally a highball or Collins, and fill it with fresh ice. Pour in your melon liqueur, then slowly top it off with cold lemonade. A quick, gentle stir is all it needs to integrate the flavors without overdiluting. Serve it up immediately while it’s still nice and frosty.
The most crucial technique here is making sure your lemonade is well chilled. If you use room temperature lemonade, it will melt your ice too quickly, diluting the drink and making it watery and less flavorful before your customer even takes a second sip. A cold mixer ensures the drink stays crisp and vibrant longer.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Melon Liqueur
- Use
- Midori is the standard here, known for its vibrant green color and distinct honeydew melon flavor. Other brands like Bols Melon or DeKuyper Melon are acceptable if Midori isn’t available, but expect slight variations in sweetness and melon intensity. Aim for a bright, clean melon profile.
- Skip
- Anything that isn’t specifically a melon liqueur. Using a green apple or a sour apple schnapps will completely change the flavor profile, giving you something tart and artificial rather than the sweet, fruity melon character this drink relies on.
- Why
- The melon liqueur is the defining flavor of this cocktail. Its unique sweetness and specific fruit notes are what make a Midori Lemonade a Midori Lemonade. Without it, you just have flavored lemonade.
Lemonade
- Use
- A good quality prepared lemonade works best. Brands like Simply Lemonade or fresh squeezed lemonade with a balanced sweet and tart profile are ideal. The key is a bright, natural lemon flavor, not artificial.
- Skip
- Lemon-lime soda or lemon-flavored sparkling water. These will add carbonation and a different type of sweetness or tartness that won’t give you the clean, still, and balanced profile expected from a true lemonade mixer.
- Why
- Lemonade provides the essential tartness and a significant portion of the sweetness, balancing the liqueur and giving the drink its refreshing, quenching quality. Its natural acidity brightens the melon.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Midori Sour
- More tart, less sweet.
- Swap the lemonade for fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup. It delivers a sharper, more classic sour profile, highlighting the melon liqueur with a strong citrus backbone.
Midori Sparkler
- Bubbly and lighter.
- Use sparkling lemonade or a mix of lemon juice and soda water for a fizzy take. This adds effervescence, making the drink feel lighter and even more refreshing, though it might dilute the melon flavor slightly.
Melon Cooler
- Add a hint of mint.
- Muddle a few fresh mint leaves in the glass before adding ice and ingredients. The mint introduces an herbaceous, cooling element that complements the melon and lemon, adding a layer of complexity.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a peach schnapps for a different fruit profile, or a green apple schnapps for something tarter. The drink will taste different but still fruity.
Use fresh lemon juice with simple syrup and top with water or soda for a similar tart and sweet base.
A rocks glass will work, but you’ll have a smaller, more concentrated drink.
Chill all ingredients thoroughly, but it won’t have the same frosty appeal or dilution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Midori Lemonade?
A Midori Lemonade contains melon liqueur and lemonade, served over ice.
Is Midori Lemonade alcoholic?
Yes, it contains melon liqueur, which is an alcoholic spirit.
What does Midori Lemonade taste like?
It tastes like sweet melon with a tangy, refreshing lemon finish.
Is Midori Lemonade a strong drink?
No, it’s a relatively low alcohol cocktail, much lighter than most standard mixed drinks or even beer.
What type of glass should I use for a Midori Lemonade?
A tall glass like a highball or Collins glass is best for this drink.
Can I make a Midori Lemonade without Midori?
You can use other melon liqueurs, but the specific flavor profile will vary.
How do you make Midori Lemonade fizzier?
Top it with sparkling lemonade or a splash of soda water.
Is Midori Lemonade good for parties?
Yes, its simple ingredients and refreshing taste make it a great, easy-to-prepare party drink.
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