This classic Midori Sour Cocktail is the perfect pairing of sweet and sour all packed into one drink. It only takes 4 ingredients and a few minutes to make this eye-catching bright green drink.
I love a good sour drink, so if you feel the same check out my Hazelnut Sour, Chambord Sour, and Aperol Sour cocktails. Or, if you just love Midori, be sure to check out my Midori Margarita and Midori Wine Spritz.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s one of the easiest cocktails to make.
- It yields the most striking bright green color. It’s the perfect green mixed drink for occasions like St. Patrick’s Day.
- It’s the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors all rolled into one cocktail.
What is Midori?
Midori is a bright, neon green melon liqueur that hails from Japan. It’s flavored with Japanese muskmelons. First made in 1964 under the name “Hermes Melon Liqueur,” it was exclusively sold in Japan.
In 1978, it was released in the United States under its current name. It was specifically launched in the famed NYC nightclub, Studio 54.
Ingredient Notes
- Midori – You can typically find a bottle of Midori melon liqueur at most liquor stores.
- Citrus juices – Many recipes call for lemon-lime soda, like Sprite, but I prefer to use fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juices as they do a better job of balancing the sweet Midori liqueur.
- Egg white – I always prefer egg whites in my sour cocktails, so I do advise against skipping it. It gives a silky smooth texture that really makes the cocktail pop.
- Garnish – I tend to use lime slices for my garnishes, but you can use lemon slices or a cherry garnish using maraschino cherries, which is another common garnish for this cocktail.
Pro tip:
While using raw egg white in cocktails is considered generally safe, I recommend using pasteurized egg whites from a carton for convenience and safety.
If pasteurized egg whites don’t interest you or you want a vegan option, you can substitute 2-3 tablespoons of the liquid from canned chickpeas. This liquid is referred to as “aquafaba” and makes a great frothy addition to sour cocktails.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the Midori to a cocktail shaker.
Step 2: Add your citrus juices.
Step 3: Add your egg white.
Step 4: Put the lid on shaker and shake the cocktail without ice. This is called “dry shaking” and help provide a fluffier texture to the egg white froth.
Step 5: Add ice into the cocktail shaker.
Step 6: Shake again with the ice until the cocktail is well chilled.
Step 7: Strain the Midori sour into a cocktail glass. I like to use coupe glasses for Midori sour cocktails.
Step 8: Garnish with a dried or fresh lime wheel (optional).
Recipe FAQ
The flavor of Midori is extremely sweet, which is why it is perfect for sour cocktails to help balance its characteristic flavor.
Because Midori is so intensely sweet, you probably won’t enjoy it straight. However, if you really want to drink a shot of Midori, I recommend adding a big squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to balance the flavor.
I prefer the cocktail with both citrus juices, but you can definitely just use one – just make sure you double the juice you choose.
I always recommend fresh citrus juices in cocktails for the best flavor. Bottle juices can be used, but keep in mind that it will not taste nearly as good as fresh juice.
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Midori Sour Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Midori liqueur
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- Lime wheel for garnish optional
Instructions
- Add the Midori, lime and lemon juices, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well, then add ice, and shake again until well chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wheel, if using.
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