Melon Ball recipe
A vibrant neon-green classic balancing crisp vodka and lush honeydew sweetness with bright citrus.
Method: Shake and strain ·
Glass: Highball glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Vodka (Clean, unflavored high-proof grain vodka)
- 1.5 oz Midori Melon Liqueur (Japanese green melon liqueur)
- 3 oz Fresh Orange Juice (Strained, freshly squeezed Valencia or navel orange juice)
- 0.25 oz Fresh Lime Juice (Adds necessary structural acidity to balance the liqueur)
- 3 pcs Honeydew Melon Balls (Scraped fresh from ripe honeydew melon, skewered as garnish)
How to make a Melon Ball
- Chill a tall highball glass thoroughly in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Measure the vodka, Midori melon liqueur, fresh orange juice, and fresh lime juice into a mixing tin filled with cubed ice.
- Shake vigorously for 8 to 10 seconds to chill and aerate the mixture.
- Strain the bright green cocktail over fresh, clear ice cubes into the prepared highball glass.
- Garnish with a cocktail pick threaded with three freshly carved honeydew melon balls resting across the rim.
Garnish
a cocktail pick threaded with three freshly carved honeydew melon balls resting across the rim
Pro tip
Measure carefully, keep the dilution controlled, and serve Melon Ball as soon as it is cold and balanced.
History of the Melon Ball
Popularized during the cocktail renaissance of the late 1970s and 1980s following the global launch of Suntory's Midori melon liqueur at Studio 54, the Melon Ball became a staple of disco-era lounges and hotel bars. While exact authorship remains undocumented, the drink evolved from simple two-ingredient pours into a vibrant highball enjoyed worldwide.
Flavour profile
Sweet, Boozy, Citrus
Variations
- Pineapple Melon Ball — Substitute fresh pineapple juice for orange juice for a sharper, tropical profile.
- Sparkling Melon Spritz — Build directly in a wine glass with 1 oz Midori, 1 oz vodka, 2 oz prosecco, and top with club soda.
- Midori Sour Highball — Combine equal parts Midori and vodka with fresh lemon juice and top with soda water over crushed ice.
Practise making the Melon Ball in the free Virtual Bar game.