What Does Midori Taste Like?

With its distinct neon green color, Midori is an unmistakable presence behind the bar. But for the uninitiated, a lingering question remains — what does Midori taste like?

Midori is a brightly hued melon liqueur made from Japanese muskmelons. It boasts a predominant sweet, fruity flavor reminiscent of cantaloupe and honeydew melons. The taste makes it ideal for ease-drinking cocktails with juice, soda, and other mixers.

In this article, we’ll explore everything that defines Midori including its flavor profile, origins, best uses in cocktails, and even homemade recipe substitutes. Read on to become a Midori expert!

Overview of Midori

Here’s a quick introduction to Midori:

• Midori is a Japanese melon liqueur produced by the Suntory spirits company. It was launched in 1978.
• Made from Japanese muskmelons, it has a distinctively green color and sweet melon taste.
• At 20% ABV (40 proof), it provides enough alcoholic punch without being overpowering when mixed.
• Midori has a syrupy, nectar-like viscosity richer than plain liqueurs.
• Its flavor versatility makes it ideal in fruity cocktails, desserts, shooters, and more.

So in essence, Midori is an approachable Japanese liqueur that captures the sweet essence of ripe melon. But what exactly constitutes its candy-like flavor?

The Taste and Flavor Profile of Midori

When tasted on its own, Midori offers these flavor notes:

• Honeydew melon – Dominant honeydew flavor reminiscent of the ripened muskmelon used to make it.
• Cantaloupe – Hints of cantaloupe and other orange-fleshed melons.
• Sweet – Prominent sweetness akin to melon syrup or nectar. Much sweeter than most liqueurs.
• Tropical – Secondary notes of pineapple, guava, and citrus fruits.
• Green apple – Light tart green apple Jolly Rancher flavors.
• Herbal – Faint gin-like botanicals on the finish.

So the primary taste is sweet honeydew and cantaloupe made more syrupy and candied by the liqueur’s sugar content. The fruitiness makes it playful.

Texture, Body, and Mouthfeel

In addition to its fruity flavor, Midori offers unique texture:

• Viscous – Midori has a syrupy, gloopy body. Almost reminiscent of melon flavored honey.
• Nectar-like – The thick texture provides a mouth coating sensation. Denser than juice or soda.
• Smooth – The liqueur goes down with ease. No harsh burn like plain spirits.
• Satisfying – The sweetness is satisfying for those with a sweet tooth.
• Cooling – It almost gives a cooling effect reminiscent of fresh melons.

This luscious, nectar-like viscosity helps Midori deliver full sweet fruit flavor and makes it naturally mixable for cocktails.

Midori’s Origins and History

Midori traces its roots to Japan’s prolific Suntory spirits company:

• Midori was created in 1978 by Suntory to specifically appeal to women based on market research.
• The distinct green color aimed to be eye-catching andDistance from original vibrant.
• Early Midori marketing focused on its delicate, sweet flavor and mixability.
• By the 1980s it reached international success, especially at trendy discos and nightclubs.
• Signature cocktails like the Midori Splice and Midori Sour helped boost its popularity through the 90s.
• While sales have declined in recent years, it remains an iconic liqueur and standard vibrant green mixer.

So thanks to strategic branding and promotion, Midori carved out a place as a staple vibrant spirit perfect for mixing or shooting.

Midori’s Use in Cocktails and Mixed Drinks

Midori works deliciously in these drink recipes:

• Midori Splice – Midori, pineapple juice, lime juice. A classic refreshing mix.
• Japanese Slipper – Midori, lemon juice, cherry liqueur. Tart, sweet, fruity.
• Green Temptation – Midori, triple sec, gin, lemon juice. Balanced Midori sour.
• Emerald Isle – Midori, vodka, blue curaçao, sweet & sour mix. Vibrant layered shooter.
• Melon Drop Martini – Midori, vodka, lemon-lime soda. Sweet candy-like flavor.

The sweetness plays well with citrus, tropical juices, and bubblegum flavored liqueurs. Midori’s hue also makes drinks photogenic.

Cooking and Mixing With Midori

Aside from cocktails, Midori brings its taste to:

• Desserts – Its sweetness and bright color make it ideal for cakes, ice creams, custards, and fruits.
• Mixers – In shooters and long drinks, Midori mixes with pineapple, orange, cranberry, and citrus juices.
• Punches – Adds color and fruitiness to summertime punches or sangria-like concoctions.
• Salads – Midori vinaigrettes jazz up fruit salads with sweet melon essence.
• Sorbet – Its syrupy body makes an excellent addition to fruit sorbets and ice pops.

Don’t limit Midori to just cocktails. Let its fruitiness enhance desserts, smoothies, sauces, vinaigrettes, and more for a pop of flavor.

Trying Midori On Its Own

While primarily a mixer, Midori can be carefully sipped straight:

• Chill the bottle first to allow the oils and flavors to open up.
• Pour Midori alone into a chilled cordial glass. Sip and savor the aroma.
• Add a splash of soda water to open it up further.
• For a treat, pour over ice or frozen melon cubes.
• Pair with spicy foods like sushi if drinking straight to contrast the sweetness.

Enjoying Midori unmixed takes some acquired taste, but allows you to fully experience its lush honeyed melon flavor.

Making Homemade Midori

You can approximate Midori’s flavors by making simple syrup:

• Slice ripe cantaloupe and honeydew and blend or muddle.
• Simmer 1 cup juice with 1 cup sugar until reduced by half to thicken.
• Let cool fully then mix with vodka or gin in a 1:2 ratio syrup to spirit.

While not as viscous, this homemade version captures the predominant juicy melon notes for far less cost. Adjust sweetness to taste.

Key Takeaways – What Does Midori Taste Like

• Midori has a predominant sweet green melon flavor thanks to Japanese muskmelons.
• Its luscious, syrupy texture comes from high sugar content balancing the 20% ABV liquor.
• Midori gained popularity internationally first in nightclubs, then became widely used in cocktails and mixology.
• It brings sweetness and fruitiness to mixed drinks and pairs well with tropical juices.
• The vibrant green color and candy-like taste make it photogenic and approachable.

Now you can see why Midori’s distinctive honeyed sweetness makes it a perfect gateway into the world of liqueurs, ideal for both mixed drinks and festive, fruity desserts.