Ingredients
- 1 oz Melon Liqueur
- 2 oz Sours
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 2 oz Lemonade (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a high-ball glass with ice.
- Add the Midori, sour mix and sprite (Optional),
- Give it a stir and serve.
- Garnish with cherries
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Midori liqueur itself hit the American market in 1978, making a splash with its vibrant green color and sweet melon flavor. The Midori Sour quickly followed, becoming a staple of 80s and 90s bar scenes, especially popular in places known for flashy, sweet cocktails. It doesn’t have a single, definitive inventor, but rather emerged as a natural pairing for the liqueur’s distinct profile.
This drink is a classic example of a “sour” cocktail, a family that includes the Whiskey Sour, Amaretto Sour, and even the Margarita. What sets the Midori Sour apart is its reliance on a fruit liqueur as the primary flavor driver, rather than a base spirit. It’s generally sweeter and less spirit-forward than its traditional sour relatives, often incorporating lemon-lime soda for effervescence and added sweetness.
You’d find a Midori Sour on the menu at most casual bars, especially those with a focus on fun, approachable drinks. It’s a common order at karaoke nights, bowling alleys, or any place where the vibe is relaxed and the drinks are easy to enjoy. It also makes a great pitcher drink for summer backyard barbecues or beach parties.
What it tastes like
On the first sip, you get a rush of sweet, candied melon, unmistakably Midori, hitting the front of your palate. This quickly gives way to a zesty, tart lemon mid-palate, cutting through the initial sweetness and providing a welcome counterpoint. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a lingering hint of melon and a pleasant, tangy dryness that makes you want another sip.
With 1 oz of 21% ABV Midori (standard for Midori) and no other spirits in the recipe, this drink is very light on alcohol. Assuming a total volume of around 6-7 oz (1 oz Midori + 2 oz Sours + 1 oz Lemon Juice + 2 oz Lemonade), the ABV comes out to roughly 3-4%. That’s significantly less potent than a typical beer, which usually sits around 5% ABV, and far lighter than most standard cocktails. It’s designed for easy drinking.
The technique
Building a Midori Sour is straightforward. Grab a highball glass and fill it generously with ice. Pour in your melon liqueur, followed by the sour mix and fresh lemon juice. If you’re opting for the extra fizz and sweetness, top it off with lemonade or a lemon-lime soda. Give everything a quick, gentle stir to combine the ingredients without over-diluting. Garnish with a cherry or two and send it out.
The most important technique here is getting the balance right between the sweet Midori and the tart lemon components. Taste as you go, especially if your “sours” component isn’t a pre-made mix. Too much Midori makes it cloying, too much lemon makes it puckering. Without proper balance, you end up with either a sugary syrup or a mouth-puckering lemon bomb, missing the refreshing sweet-tart harmony.
Drink Buddy Exclusive
Tell us what's in your cabinet.
Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.
Open the Builder →Get the Drink Buddy newsletter
One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.
Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Midori Melon Liqueur
- Use
- Authentic Midori from Suntory is the standard. Its vibrant green color and distinct honeydew melon flavor are what define the drink. Other melon liqueurs exist, but Midori is the benchmark. It typically clocks in at 21% ABV.
- Skip
- Green apple liqueurs or anything not specifically melon flavored. While some are green, the flavor profile won’t deliver the signature sweet honeydew character. Avoid overly artificial tasting melon syrups that lack the liqueur’s depth.
- Why
- Midori is the entire point of this drink. Its unique, sweet melon flavor and iconic color are the load-bearing elements. Without it, you’re just making a generic sour with a different fruit.
Lemon Component
- Use
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best for brightness. For the “Sours” component, a quality pre-made sour mix can work for speed, or a homemade one (lemon, lime, simple syrup). For the optional “Lemonade”, a good quality store-bought lemonade or even Sprite/7-Up for fizz.
- Skip
- Bottled “lemon juice from concentrate” that tastes metallic or overly processed. Also, avoid extremely sugary, low-quality sour mixes that lack genuine tartness and taste artificial. Don’t use flat soda.
- Why
- The lemon component provides the essential tartness that cuts through Midori’s sweetness, creating the “sour” in Midori Sour. It’s crucial for balance and refreshment, preventing the drink from becoming a sickly sweet concoction.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Midori Sour with Vodka
- A little kick for a more traditional cocktail feel.
- Add 1.5 oz of a neutral vodka to the recipe for a boozier, more spirit-forward version. It maintains the melon and lemon flavors but with an added alcoholic punch.
Sparkling Midori Sour
- Extra fizz and a lighter mouthfeel.
- Instead of lemonade, top the drink with club soda or sparkling water after mixing. This keeps the tartness high while adding effervescence without extra sweetness.
Japanese Slipper
- A sophisticated cousin with a touch of orange.
- This classic swaps the sour mix for Cointreau (orange liqueur) and lemon juice, creating a more complex, less overtly sweet melon and citrus profile.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
No Midori? Try a green apple liqueur for a different but still fruity and tart green drink. The flavor will be distinct, but it offers a similar sweet-tart profile.
Use a good quality bottled lemon juice in a pinch, though the flavor won’t be as bright or fresh. Adjust quantities to taste as bottled juices can vary in intensity.
Combine 1 oz fresh lemon juice with 0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio) for a quick homemade substitute. This gives you the basic sweet and sour base.
A regular tall drinking glass or a pint glass will work just fine. The important thing is enough volume for ice and the drink, and a shape that’s easy to hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Midori Sour Cocktail?
A Midori Sour Cocktail typically contains Midori melon liqueur, lemon juice, and a sour mix or lemonade, often served over ice and garnished with a cherry.
Is Midori Sour a strong drink?
No, a Midori Sour is generally a very light drink, often around 3-4% ABV. It’s designed to be refreshing and easy to sip, not particularly potent.
What does a Midori Sour taste like?
It tastes sweet and fruity, dominated by bright honeydew melon, with a distinct tart and zesty lemon finish that balances the sweetness.
Can I make a Midori Sour less sweet?
Yes, to make it less sweet, reduce the amount of sour mix or lemonade, or add a splash of plain soda water instead of a sweet mixer. Increase the fresh lemon juice for more tartness.
Is Midori the same as melon liqueur?
Midori is a specific brand of melon liqueur. While there are other melon liqueurs, Midori is the most well-known and often considered the standard for drinks like the Midori Sour.
What’s the difference between a Midori Sour and a Japanese Slipper?
A Japanese Slipper uses Midori, Cointreau (orange liqueur), and lemon juice, giving it a more complex, orange-citrus note compared to the simpler lemon-melon profile of a Midori Sour.
What’s the best garnish for a Midori Sour?
A maraschino cherry or two is the classic garnish, adding a pop of color and a touch of extra sweetness. A lemon wheel or wedge also works well.
Can I make a batch of Midori Sours for a party?
Absolutely. Combine the Midori, lemon juice, and sour mix in a pitcher ahead of time. When serving, pour over ice and top with lemonade or soda, if desired.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family when the night calls for them.
