It’s the 1st of the month! As it’s now been a month since the last, it’s time for another Beverage Guide Express. This time – I’m covering a liqueur rather than a beer or cider, as we cover the Japanese Melon liqueur, Midori.
It’s great with lemonade, or as an addition to a sweet cocktail. Shame it’s a relatively rare drink – I’ve not seen it in a supermarket for quite some time.
Transcript
Hello, this is DrinksAhoy and this… is Beverage Guide Express.
In this episode, we’re covering Midori.
Midori is a melon liqueur, specifically made from muskmelons – a species of melon that includes the cantaloupe and honeydew melons.
The name ‘midori’ comes from the Japanese word for green – and with its striking hue, it’s not difficult to see why it was given this appellation.
You’ll find Midori in a number of cocktails, such as the Japanese Slipper, combining the melon flavour with a citrus twist – and the squashed frog, a shooter including the unlikely combination of Midori, Advocaat, Baileys and grenadine.
Midori also makes a fine addition to any basic cocktail – including martinis, daiquiris, and the Midori sour.
The drink is Japanese in origin, although these days it is manufactured in Mexico and France as well – and was first concocted in 1978, where it was unveiled at a glamorous launch party at New York’s Studio 54.
The drink is produced by Suntory, based in Osaka, Japan – and contains 20 per cent alcohol by volume, about normal for a liqueur.
The drink itself is a bright green, stunningly saturated but entirely translucent – and sits within a distinctive glass bottle.
Taste is tremendously sweet, coupled with a distinctive and strong melon flavour.
It works as a digestif, almost like a melon limoncello – or as a long drink served with lemonade, or as a component in a cocktail – it’s surprisingly versatile.
So if you fancy something a little different, mix up a drink with this sweet melon liqueur, and leave your friends… green with envy.
Thanks for watching, and join me next time for another liquid delight.