🥃 Midori Melon Liqueur
Main Midori line: bright green melon liqueur from Suntory, made from yubari and muskmelon, about 20% ABV.
Midori Melon Liqueur is the main and best-known expression of the Midori brand: a bright green melon liqueur from the Japanese company Suntory. Its strength is about 20% ABV (sources give 20 or 20-21). It was first sold in 1964 in Japan as Hermes Melon Liqueur, and under the name Midori, meaning "green" in Japanese, in 1978, at its launch in the United States.
According to VinePair, yubari melons are harvested in June and July, made into purée, frozen, and then turned into infusions and distillates with neutral spirit. These are blended with a muskmelon infusion and distilled to 59% ABV. The green colour comes from a dye, and sugar is added during production. Sources name the bottling place differently (France, Mexico), so go by the label.
Why this matters to you. This is a sweetened liqueur, so compare it with other liqueurs rather than with dry spirits. A version with less sugar appeared in 2012-2013. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol.
Facts
| Year founded | 1964 (Hermes Melon Liqueur); the Midori name from 1978 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787: liqueur from 15% ABV |
| EU category | liqueur |
| Raw material | yubari and muskmelon, neutral spirit, sugar, green colouring |
| Distillation method | melon infusions and distillates distilled to 59% ABV, then brought to final strength |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | about 20% ABV (20-21 per different sources) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Midori Melon Liqueur → kind of → 🍸 Liqueurs → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Midori, 🍸 Liqueurs
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Malibu Original
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Midori is made only from Japanese melons?
Sources name yubari and muskmelon as the base; however, according to different sources, bottling and blending take place in France and Mexico.
What is the strength of Midori?
About 20% ABV; Cocktail Society gives 20-21%.
What does the name Midori mean?
"Green" in Japanese. The liqueur has been sold under this name since 1978; before that it was called Hermes Melon Liqueur.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🥃 Malibu Original — The base coconut line of Malibu: a drink made from white rum and coconut flavouring, 21% ABV, not aged.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Malibu Black · 🥃 Malibu Pineapple · 🥃 Malibu Watermelon · 🥃 Jägermeister Orange · 🥃 Drambuie Liqueur · 🥃 Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Cocktail Society: What is Midori Melon Liqueur? (Suntory; 1964 Hermes Melon Liqueur; 20-21 %; Yubari and musk melons; green colouring; less-sugar version)
- VinePair: Need to know, Midori melon liqueur guide (Suntory; Yubari and muskmelons; 59 % distillate; reintroduced 2013)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Art. 2 and Annex I (gin, distilled gin, London gin; liqueur)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)