Midori Martini

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Melon liqueur and vodka combine to make a deliciously bright green and sweet experience in the Midori Martini.

I dream of Japan, but have never been there. All of us at some point in our lives fantasize about visiting faraway places, exotic locales and remote destinations. Some of us are lucky enough to travel the world at our leisure, while others can only get away once or maybe twice a year. And sadly, many more don’t get to leave the confines of the city limits they grew up within… Or they don’t care to. But the lure of an exciting trip, a little adventure off to an unfamiliar landscape, entices all of us.

I was born in Germany and had traveled all over Europe by the time I was two. My father was in the military, and both he and my mother took me everywhere with them, from visiting family in London to the top of the Zugspitze… Except for the Red Light District in Amsterdam. That weekend, they put me in the care of a nice lady in Belgium, so I stayed there for the weekend. And when they went skiing on the Jungfrau in Switzerland, a lovely Fräulein offered to take me home while they had fun, so they accepted. By the way, neither of them had any idea who those sweet ladies were. Ahhhh, to be young adults in the late 1970s. We missed out, kids.

Throughout my adult life, traveling anywhere has become harder and harder. Tearing yourself away from the everyday grind of responsibilities, appointments, meetings, etc. just makes the time slip by much faster than it used to. Suddenly, you wake up one day and realize you never took that trip to Japan that you’ve always wanted to. There’s no need to despair, however. Start making plans, a little at a time. Talk to a few friends, see if they’d like to go. Or travel alone, and experience a different part of the world by yourself, discovering new inner thoughts.

Tonight’s cocktail, the sweet and neon green-looking Midori Martini, brought up all of these wistful thoughts. When I’m in work mode, with deadlines looming, my way of traveling the world is putting on a James Bond movie, and making a drink to match the vibe. So while I sip this drink flavored with the melon liqueur, I’ll be flying over volcanoes in Little Nellie, marveling at the lush and beautiful Japanese horizon.

What Is Midori?

A Japanese melon liqueur, Midori was exclusively produced in the country until 1987. Originally called Hermes Melon Liqueur when it was first sold in 1964, the company rebranded it as Midori in 1978, when it was released in the United States. Infused with the flavors of Yubari King, a cantaloupe farmed in Hokkaido, and muskmelon, the spirit is primarily mixed in cocktails and not served neat or taken straight. With a bright green color, it often lends a neon look to the drinks it is mixed into.

What Is The Best Vodka To Use In A Midori Martini?

Go with an unflavored vodka when making yourself a Midori Martini. The bite from the spirit will meld nicely with the melon flavor from the liqueur and tart sweetness of the lemon juice, accentuating both in a balanced way. The simple syrup in the recipe is optional, as the mixture might be sweet enough already.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?

These types of cocktails thrive in a chilled and sleek-looking martini glass. Pop one in your freezer for around fifteen to thirty minutes before serving, and garnish with a maraschino cherry or a lemon twist.

IS THIS AN OFFICIAL MARTINI?

No. That would be gin and vermouth, with vodka being a popular variation. The Midori Martini is much closer to a Sour, especially if simple syrup is used. This is in the family of drinks that only look like martinis.

Other Midori Cocktails Worth Trying

If the bright and almost glowing Midori Martini was your first foray into the world of the Japanese liqueur, you might be wondering what other drinks feature this intriguing component. Twist & Toast can make your search a little easier, by providing some easy-to-follow recipes that you can try out right now. No need to wait, it’s five o’clock somewhere, right?

• Midori Sour – Flavorful and fizzy, this carbonated cocktail is a great intro to the Midori.
• The Grinch – Do the holidays get you down? Let the Grinch cheer you up!
• Sex with an Alligator – Sounds dangerous, tastes great.
• Tokyo Tea – A tall and powerful tipple that has a little bit of everything, including Midori.