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Midori Sour (Modernized) Recipe

Midori Sour (Modernized) Recipe

By What’s Baking

A vibrant emerald cocktail balancing sweet melon liqueur with zesty citrus and delicate herbal notes for a refreshing, sophisticated spin on the classic.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
An overhead shot captures a frosty highball glass filled with a vibrant, jewel-toned green Midori Sour. Golden hour lighting accentuates the drink's emerald hue, creating a luminous glow. Crystal-clear ice cubes catch the light while a thin layer of silky egg white foam creates a luxurious crown. A delicate cucumber ribbon and fresh mint sprig rest across the top, with a whisper-thin slice of lime perched on the rim. Beads of condensation form on the glass's exterior, suggesting refreshing coolness against a dark wooden bar top scattered with lime zest and melon balls for context.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">45ml Midori melon liqueur</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml vodka (preferably Japanese)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">25ml fresh lime juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water ratio)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml fresh egg white (or 10ml aquafaba for vegan option)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 cucumber slices</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 mint leaves, plus extra sprig for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Cucumber ribbon and lime wheel for garnish</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Muddler</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Vegetable peeler (for cucumber ribbon)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Highball glass</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Take two cucumber slices and two mint leaves and place them in the bottom of your cocktail shaker. Gently muddle to release their aromatic oils and flavors without completely crushing them – you're looking for fragrance, not pulp.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add the Midori, vodka, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white to your shaker. Perform a "dry shake" (without ice) for about 20 seconds – this helps the egg white create a beautiful, silky foam texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add ice to your shaker and shake vigorously for another 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker frosts over. This properly chills and dilutes the cocktail while further developing that luxurious texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Double-strain through both a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into a chilled highball glass filled with fresh ice. This removes the muddled cucumber and mint pieces while ensuring a smooth, velvety texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Use a vegetable peeler to create a long, thin cucumber ribbon. Wrap it around the inside of the glass, allowing the top to extend slightly above the rim for visual appeal.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Float a thin slice of cucumber and the remaining cucumber wheel on top of the foam. Add a fresh mint sprig and a lime wheel on the rim of the glass for an aromatic garnish that enhances the drinking experience.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Serve immediately while the foam is still pristine and the glass is frosty. The cocktail should have a striking balance between sweet melon, bright citrus, and fresh herbal notes.</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 slice
🔥 Calories: 425 calories
🥑 Fat: 28 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 16 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 38 g
🍭 Sugar: 22 g
🍗 Protein: 6 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 185 mg
🧂 Sodium: 210 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

What's the best alcohol to pair with Midori for a balanced melon sour?

Japanese vodka works brilliantly with Midori as it has a clean, neutral profile that lets the melon flavour shine while providing alcoholic backbone. For variations, try white rum for tropical notes, gin for botanical complexity, or sake for an authentic Japanese pairing that complements the melon.

Why should I dry shake a melon sour cocktail before adding ice?

Dry shaking (without ice) allows the egg white proteins to properly emulsify and create that signature silky foam texture. This technique ensures your green melon cocktail has a luxurious mouthfeel and beautiful presentation layer without the ice immediately diluting or chilling the mixture.

Can I make this green melon cocktail without egg white?

Absolutely! Substitute 15ml of egg white with 10ml of aquafaba (the liquid from tinned chickpeas) for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the silky texture. Alternatively, use 5ml of Ms. Better's Bitters Miraculous Foamer or simply omit for a more straightforward citrus-forward variation.

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