Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. We do receive a small commission when you click on our links and make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We always give our honest opinions, and these opinions are fully our own. See our Disclaimers →
Midori Melon Liqueur
About Midori Melon Liqueur
Midori Melon Liqueur was created by Suntory – a Japan-based spirits and soft drinks company. They produce their products in collaboration with several international production facilities. This particular bottle was produced by Fielding & Jones, LTD in Chicago.
The original melon liqueur was created by Shinjiro Torii, and released in Japan under a different product name in 1964. It is made using two different varieties of rare Japanese muskmelon. The distinctive bright green coloring is artificially added, as the melon insides are actually orange.
In 1978, the melon liqueur was released in the U.S. as Midori Melon Liqueur. The recipe was updated in 2012 with less additives, in particular those that made the liqueur very sweet. It is bottled at 40 proof.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 20%
❖ Distillery: Fielding & Jones
❖ Aging: N/A
❖ Price Point: lower moderate price
My Tasting notes
I took a whiff of this liqueur, and it smelled very sweet, with notes of melon and bubblegum. The melon scent was slightly different than that of the melons I’m used to, but it was still recognizable and appetizing.
I took a sip, and it was easy going down. There was a small amount of heat, but no harsh bite to the alcohol.
The flavor was honestly better than I expected given this product’s reputation. Although the melon notes didn’t have the most fresh or natural taste, I still found it pleasant and mild, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Cocktail
For my cocktail, it was a no-brainer to try out the classic Midori Sour!
I had this drink once before, back in the day, to celebrate a friend’s 21st birthday, but I’m fairly certain the bar in question used sour mix rather than the fresh lemon and lime. This was my first time trying it with the citrus.
Midori Sour
Ingredients
- 1oz Midori melon liqueur
- 1oz vodka
- 1/2oz lemon juice
- 1/2oz lime juice
- soda water* (to top)
Instructions
- Add the melon liqueur, vodka, lemon juice, and lime juice to a tall glass with ice, and gently stir to combine.
- Add soda water to top.
Notes
*I made my own soda water with the Sodastream (paid Amazon link).
Love the straw in this cocktail? we do, too! You can get yours here.
Inside of a cocktail, this liqueur was tasty, but didn’t go as far as I had hoped in the overall flavor. The melon notes seemed to come out more in the aftertaste of the drink, and then linger in the throat. The lemon and lime flavors were prominent overall. Still, I found it to be a pleasantly sour and consistent drink.
Bottom Line
RATING: 3/5
Overall, I had a nice experience with Midori Melon Liqueur , but was ultimately underwhelmed. Though I plan to experiment with it more in other cocktails, it so far seems to be easily overpowered by other flavors, and just lacking a certain spark to make it special.
I get the sense that Midori Melon would work much better for shots, where the flavor would go farther due to the lower volume. Personally, I prefer cocktails that I can sip more slowly and really savor.
Ultimately, I really appreciate how Midori offers a smaller 375ml bottle, as this allowed me to sample the liqueur and have some fun with it without too much commitment. I don’t see myself purchasing it again.
As always, drink responsibly.
Not Quite what you're looking for?
SEE OUR OTHER FRUITY LIQUEUR REVIEWS:
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Get more from Let’s Drink It! by subscribing to our monthly email newsletter