Enjoy the sweet and citrus-tinged elegance of a Japanese Slipper cocktail.
I’m a big theme guy. For example, in reference to tonight’s recipe, about twenty-some-odd years ago, when I worked nights at a Hyatt hotel in Philly, my Saturday morning tradition was always coming home from my last shift of the week, eating sushi for my dinner/breakfast and enjoying a Zatoichi samurai film before heading off to bed. It’s the little things that often get us through our lives, and looking forward to my sushi/samurai Saturdays always filled me with excitement. I guess I’m really just a simple fella at heart.
But that’s not to say I don’t enjoy the finer things life has to offer, and I do indeed partake when the opportunity presents itself. The drink we’re looking at today is the kind of libation I wish I knew about during my days in the City of Brotherly Love, as it would have been a lovely companion to my California rolls. Though neither creation was actually invented in Japan. The rolls were likely born in Vancouver, while the Japanese Slipper came to be in Australia.
And it was a French bartender, Jean-Paul Bourguignon, who was the creator of this cocktail at Mietta’s Restaurant in Melbourne sometime in 1984. After receiving a bottle of Midori from a Suntory representative, Bourguignon experimented with it by combining the Japanese melon spirit with Cointreau and lemon juice. He soon discovered that the acidic citrus balanced out the sweetness from the Midori, and the Japanese Slipper soon took off in popularity Down Under, then across the world.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Japanese Slipper Cocktail?
The Japanese Slipper is a sophisticated tipple, made of equal parts Midori, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. Both liqueurs are easy enough to find at your local liquor store, and make sure you have nice, plump and juicy lemons on hand as well.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce melon liqueur like Midori
- 1 ounce orange liqueur like triple sec
- 1 ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the melon liqueur, orange liqueur, and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake well. Fine strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Drop a single maraschino cherry into the bottom of the glass. The red cherry against the green liquid is the signature look of the Japanese slipper.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a coupe or martini glass in your freezer for about 15 minutes before serving. Once you’re ready to drink, garnish with a red maraschino cherry.
Triple sec versus Cointreau?
While our recipe mentions triple sec, I specifically suggest Cointreau as it is a drier and more balanced citrus cordial, while triple sec tends to lean on the sweeter side. That said, whichever you prefer is entirely up to you and your palate.
Similar Cocktails To The Japanese Slipper
The green-hued melon liqueur Midori has become a fascinating addition to many a cocktail since it was introduced to the world back in 1978. And if the Japanese Slipper captured your taste buds’ imagination, then you’ll want to give some of these emerald and sweet sippers a try this weekend.
- Scooby Snack Shot – A creamy shooter comprised of Midori and coconut rum.
- Pearl Harbor – A refreshing mixture meant to mimic the ocean vibes off the shores of Hawaii.
- Midori Martini – A sweet spin on a classic libation.
- Midori Sour – Both sweet and sour, and topped with lemon-lime soda.
Leave a Comment