2 bright green frozen midori melon ball cocktails on a light background with a floweringvine

I know what you’re thinking; Midori? Did I get sucked into a time warp and spat out in 1997? Are scrunchies and over-plucked eyebrows back in fashion?

No, no…although these days it might not feel like such a bad situation to be in. Still, no matter how hard you think about it, there still isn’t a boyband in sight. The thing is, I have a fondness for all things that combine melon-y-ness (that’s a word, right?), and ultra refreshing-ness! It makes sense that one of my favorite drinks to enjoy during the summer is the sweet frozen Melonball with Midori Liquor.

What is Midori Liqueur made of?

Flavored with Japanese green melon, this brightly colored liqueur can be a bit polarizing: you either love it… or not!! Since I love food history, I learned that this neon green spirit first hit Japanese shelves in 1964. It didn’t arrive in America until served at Studio 54 in 1978. After that, sipping on a Midori cocktail became a ‘thing’, right along with the Hustle, and platform shoes! What’s even more interesting interesting though, is Midori’s peak popularity wasn’t until almost 20 years later, when the classic vodka cocktail, The Melonball was created.

The inspiration…

After enjoying these cocktails unabashedly for years (I’m not a follower, OK?), I took out my Midori on a really hot day last week, and took a hard long look. Hmmm…. This staple of the 90’s bar scene needs an update. What if it used ‘real’ melon instead of artificial flavors? Keep the vodka, but add some zippy lime juice… hmmm. Just in time for the hot summer months spent outside, Boom: the Frozen Melonball is here!

Would this Frozen Melonball Cocktail Recipe work as a batch drink?

This summer, compared to most, is going to be focused on outdoor gatherings rather than indoor ones. One of the best and easiest things to prepare are batch cocktails. If you don’t want to play bartender all night and be away from your guests, these big ‘batch drinks’ are my favorite way to keep the ‘bonhomie’ flowing, and still enjoy the party myself. I really love to create these fun riffs on classic cocktails, especially for outdoor parties!

My Frozen Melonball is tasty and has all of the familiar flavors we love, but brighter & fresher. This recipe makes 2 drinks, but can easily be multiplied. It’s perfect for keeping your BBQ crew well hydrated, and in good spirits!

Freshly juiced honeydew is mixed with Midori, premium vodka, lime juice, and a quick splash of orange juice. Toss in some ice & blend on high, and you get the most delicious batch drink to help you stay cool in the summer sun!

two frozen melon balls in tall glasses, garnished with triangles of fresh honeydew melon

Frozen Midori Melonball

makes 2 cocktails

4 ounces of honeydew melon juice

2 ounces Midori melon liquor

2 ounce vodka

1 ounce lime juice

1 ounce orange juice

1 ounce simple syrup

1 cup of ice

ingredient flat lay including vodka, simple syrup, midori, orange juice, and limes

Place all of the liquids into a blender and add 1 cup of ice.

a green glass citrus juicer, pouring fresh lime juice into a jigger

Blend on high, until foamy. Or even better, use the frozen drink function, if available.

spooning fresh melon juice into a jigger, from a green milk glass bowl

Pour into 2 lowball glasses.

Garnish with a lime wedge or pieces of melon.

two finished frozen melonbmalls in highball glasses, garnishes with green melon

for the honeydew juice

a pair of women's hands sliced fresh honeydew into cubes, on a dark wooden board

Take half a ripe honeydew melon, and cut, seed, & trim off the rind.

Cut into large chunks and add to a blender.

Blend on high, until smooth.

Place a fine mesh sieve over a medium sized bowl. Strain the juice and discard any solids.

pressing the pulp of the blended melon juice through a sieve into a green glass bowl

Refrigerate if not using immediately.

a woman's hand holds a jigger filled with green melon juice, with a small green glass bowl in the background

This juice stays fresh for 2 days.

top down view of two finished frost frozen melonball cocktails with a flowering vine twining gourd the drinks

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5 from 2 votes