Midori (Japanese green melon liqueur)

Midori (Midori) – sweet melon liqueur with a strength of 20% vol., Produced by the Japanese company Suntory. The drink was named for its rich emerald green color (midori is translated from Japanese as “green”). The liqueur contains natural melon essences, and the texture of the glass of the bottle resembles the skin of a melon.

History

The founder of Suntory, Shinjiro Torii, dreamed all his life of creating a bright European-style alcoholic drink, and Midori liqueur became the embodiment of this dream. In 1964, the Hermes melon liqueur appeared on the Japanese market, in 1971 it attracted the attention of American bartenders who came to the cocktail competition, and in 1978, in the wake of interest in melon alcohol, Midori was developed.

It is curious that the first samples were presented not in Japan, but in the USA. The presentation of the new product took place in the famous New York club Studio 54. More than 40 years have passed, and the drink does not lose popularity – Midori is included in many cocktails and is considered an indispensable attribute of a well-equipped bar.

Taste

The predominant note in the flavor profile of Midori liqueur is a very sweet melon of two varieties:

• Yubari King. The Japanese variety, one of the most expensive melons in the world, is very juicy and sweet, with bright orange flesh.
• Cantaloupe. Also grown in Japan, also juicy and sweet, but the color of the fruit is rich green.

Japanese fruits are quite expensive, which also affects the cost of the drink – the price of a 0.75 liter bottle is about $20.

Technology of preparation

Initially, melon liqueur was produced only in Japan, today local production is open in Mexico and France. Preparation consists of several main steps:

1. Alcohol is insisted on melon of two varieties.
2. The finished base is transported to Mexico or France.
3. Mixed with brandy, sugar, food coloring are added to give the drink a particularly rich color.
4. Melon liqueur is bottled and put on sale without aging.

Mexico has been producing Japanese liquor since 1987, the French branch is open mainly in order to quickly enter the European market.

Due to the fact that the final stage of production does not take place in Japan, Midori liqueur is considered a French alcoholic drink under UK law.

How to drink Midori

Midori can be drunk neat with ice, but first of all this liqueur is valued as a cocktail ingredient: it gives drinks a bright green color and a fragrant melon taste.

Midori cocktails

1. Japanese Slipper (Japanese slipper). In an ice-filled shaker, mix equal parts Midori, Cointreau and lemon juice, serve with a slice of white cantaloupe.
2. Grinch (Grinch). Fill a shaker with ice, add 4 parts Midori, 1 part lemon juice and XNUMX teaspoon regular sugar syrup, mix, pour into a glass, serve with a cocktail cherry.
3. Berry Bliss (Berry Bliss). Into a half-filled punch bowl with ice, successively pour 1 parts Midori, 8 part vanilla vodka, XNUMX/XNUMX part raspberry vodka, XNUMX/XNUMX part pineapple juice and soda water (the last ingredient can be replaced with sparkling wine). Stir, serve in punch bowls garnished with strawberries.
4. Melon Splash (Splash of melon). Pour one and a half ounces of aged bourbon and ½ ounce of Midori melon liqueur into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice, stir, top with an ounce of lemon soda.
5. Irish Frog (Irish frog). Pour Midori liqueur halfway into a shot glass, slowly top up with the same amount of Irish cream, not allowing the layers to mix.
6. Kool Aid (Kula’s Help). Pour equal parts vodka, Midori and amaretto into a shot glass, top with cranberry juice.