Midori is a bright green, melon tasting liqueur made in Japan with extremely rare muskmelons. It can be combined with juices, other liqueurs and spirits to make fabulous, fruity, sensational cocktails.
Unfortunately, this tipple is a pretty daunting liqueur to try and mix with, due to the vibrant colouring and distinctive flavour. However, we have your back!
Japanese Slipper
If you are looking for an easy to remember cocktail recipe, this one is definitely for you. This drink touches both the sweet and tangy flavour profiles to provide a brilliantly balanced tipple.
To make one of these, you will need:
- 30ml Midori
- 30ml Cointreau
- 30ml lemon juice
- 1 maraschino cherry
Method:
1. Fill up a shaker with ice.
2. Pour all the ingredients (except from the cherry) into the iced shaker.
3. Shake well.
4. Strain using a finely meshed sieve into a chilled martini glass.
5. Pop the maraschino cherry into the glass for garnish.
La Pomme
Apple juice lovers will adore this cocktail. The mélange of melon and apple creates a wonderfully sweet yet refreshing sensation in the mouth.
To make one of these, you will need:
- 22ml Midori
- 30ml cognac
- Dash lemon juice
- Enough apple juice (to fill the rest of the glass)
- 1 apple slice
Method:
1. Fill up a highball glass* with ice.
2. Pour the rest of the ingredients (except the apple juice) into the glass.
3. Top up with apple juice.
4. Attach the apple slice to the rim of the glass for garnish.
*A highball glass is used for serving certain cocktails and mixed drinks. It can hold 240 to 350ml.
Garden Delight
As the name suggests, this lightly sweet and fruity cocktail is perfect to be enjoyed in the garden — essential for a summer party!
To make one of these, you will need:
- 2 lengthways slices cucumber (peel the cucumber)
- 30ml Midori
- 30ml dry gin
- 1 rosemary sprig (large)
- Enough tonic water (to fill up the glass)
Method:
1. Fill a tall glass up with ice cubes.
2. Put the long cucumber slices into this glass.
3. Add the Midori and dry gin.
4. Stir to combine.
5. Top up the glass with the tonic water.
6. Stir once more.
7. Roll a muddler* over the rosemary sprig. This releases the aromas.
8. Add the sprig to the glass.
* A muddler is akin to a pestle but made specifically for bar work. Much like the aforementioned pestle, it is used to mash (muddle) fruits, herbs and other ingredients to express the flavour.
Elf’s Kiss
Not only does this cocktail taste amazing, it is also a true showstopper before it hits the palate, thanks to the interesting visual aspect.
To make one of these, you will need:
- 66ml Midori
- 66ml sweet and sour mix*
- Juice from ½ lemon
- 44ml citrus vodka
- Enough cranberry juice (to top up)
- Orange liqueur
- 2 fresh ginger squares (½ inch each)
- 1 orange twist**
*You can buy sweet and sour mix from the supermarket however, if you want to make your own, see the second to last recipe on this list.
**If you don’t know how to make orange twists, check out the bottom of this list.
Method:
1. Fill a tall glass up with ice.
2. Pour Midori into this glass.
3. Put the ginger squares and the juice from half a lemon into a shaker.
4. Muddle this together.
5. Add the sweet and sour mix as well as the vodka into the shaker.
6. Put some ice in too.
7. Shake well.
8. Strain with a finely meshed sieve over the Midori.
9. Top with the cranberry juice.
10. Add a floater of orange liqueur.
11. Garnish with an orange twist.
Sex with an Alligator
This cocktail is wonderfully satisfying to drink but it is also a feast for the eyes too — aesthetics as well as flavour!
To make one of these, you will need:
- 88ml pineapple juice
- 22ml Midori
- 22ml coconut rum
- 22ml raspberry liqueur
- 22ml Jägermeister
Method:
- Pour the pineapple juice, Midori and coconut rum into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake thoroughly.
- Use a finely meshed strainer to sieve this mix into a rocks glass.
- Add the raspberry liqueur and wait for it to sink to the bottom.
- Float the Jägermeister on the top.
*Sweet and Sour Mix
Thankfully, sweet and sour mix is really easy to make so you can ensure your cocktails are always a cut above the rest.
Bear in mind you can only keep it in the fridge for a week so don’t make this too much ahead of time — unless you fancy freezing it, in which case, you can keep it for up to a month.
To make 300ml, you will need:
- 475ml water
- 200g granulated sugar
- 120ml fresh lime juice (you will need about 7 limes for this)
- 120ml fresh lemon juice (you will need roughly 2 lemons for this)
Method:
- Place the granulated sugar into a saucepan.
- Pour the water over it.
- Put on the stove over medium heat and simmer this until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Take off the heat and decant into a jar.
- Let it cool to room temperature.
- Add the lemon and lime juice.
- Ensure you are keeping it in a sealed container, and you are good to go!
**How to Make an Orange Twist
Of course, you don’t have to use an orange, many fruits work too. Try lime, grapefruit or lemon for a different flavour profile.
To make one of these, you will need:
- 1 orange
- Sharp knife
Method:
1. Cut a circular slice from the orange.
2. Slice through one side of the peel and pulp until your knife touches the other side’s rind.
3. Remove all the insides so you are just left with the strip of peel.
4. Just twist the peel into a curly shape — don’t worry, it should stay this way naturally.
5. Now, use it to garnish your drinks!
Now, you are more than able to conquer the world of Midori — hopefully it isn’t as daunting anymore!