I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of co*cktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 7, 2024
Contents
1History
2How Melon Ball Tastes?
3Interesting facts about Melon Ball
4Ingredients 🍾
5Recipe. How to make Melon Ball Drink 🍸
6Pro Tips
7Perfect Pairings
8What you could change in Melon Ball
9Twists
10Additional Information
11Frequently Asked Questions
12More Similar Recipes!
History
The Melon Ball co*cktail is a fruity and refreshing drink that gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. It is believed to have originated in California, where it was a popular choice at poolside parties and beach gatherings. The co*cktail is named after the melon baller tool, which is used to create small, round scoops of melon that resemble the shape of the drink's main ingredient, Midori melon liqueur.
How Melon Ball Tastes?
The Melon Ball co*cktail is a sweet, fruity, and refreshing drink with a vibrant green color. The combination of Midori melon liqueur, vodka, and pineapple juice creates a well-balanced flavor profile that is neither too strong nor too light. The sweetness of the Midori is balanced by the tartness of the pineapple juice, while the vodka adds a subtle kick.
Interesting facts about Melon Ball
The Melon Ball co*cktail is often served in a highball glass or a martini glass, depending on the presentation style.
Midori, the main ingredient in a Melon Ball, is a bright green, melon-flavored liqueur that was first produced in Japan in 1964.
The Melon Ball can be easily transformed into a non-alcoholic mocktail by substituting the vodka and Midori with melon syrup and lemon-lime soda.
Midori is a sweet, bright green liqueur with a refreshing melon flavor that gives this co*cktail its signature taste and color. Not using it would strip the drink of its melon essence. Feeling adventurous? Try substituting with another fruit-flavored liqueur for a different twist!
Mary Mitkina
Vodka
Vodka is the alcohol base of the co*cktail that provides a neutral spirit background, letting the other flavors shine. Too much vodka could overpower the melon flavor, too little and the drink may be overly sweet. Looking for a twist? Opt for a citrus-infused vodka to add an extra zesty kick.
Alex Green
Pineapple Juice
It adds tropical sweetness and acidity, balancing the co*cktail. If you omit this, you'd lose the tropical complexity. Want a change? Swap it with orange juice for a more citrusy note.
Emma Rose
Ice
Essential for chilling and diluting the co*cktail just enough to make it smooth and refreshing. No ice equals a warm and less enjoyable co*cktail experience. Craving something slushy? Blend the ice with the ingredients for a frozen Melon Ball.
This classic co*cktail garnish adds a touch of sweetness and an extra pop of color. Leave it out, and you miss that cherry on top, literally. Want to mix it up? A sprig of mint could add a fresh aromatic touch without the extra sweetness.
Alex Green
Garnish: Melon Ball
Completes the theme and adds a fruity nibble. Without it, the presentation lacks whimsy. In the mood for something different? Garnish with a slice of starfruit for an exotic look and a subtly different flavor profile.
Emma Rose
Recipe. How to make Melon Ball Drink
Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice.
Add 1 oz of Midori melon liqueur, 1 oz of vodka, and 2 oz of pineapple juice to the shaker.
Shake well until the ingredients are well combined and chilled.
Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a melon ball and a maraschino cherry on a co*cktail pick.
Pro Tips
Chill your glass before serving to keep the co*cktail cold for longer.
Use fresh pineapple juice for a more vibrant and refreshing flavor.
For a non-alcoholic version, replace the vodka and Midori with melon syrup and lemon-lime soda.
Perfect Pairings
Appetizers
Sushi: The clean and subtle flavors of sushi complement the fruity and slightly sweet Melon Ball co*cktail.
Cucumber Sandwiches: Refreshing cucumber matches well with the melon and pineapple in the drink.
Prosciutto-wrapped Melon: Enhances the melon flavor in the co*cktail while offering a nice savory bite.
Desserts
Coconut Pudding: Its tropical taste pairs nicely with the tropical notes of the co*cktail.
Fruit Tarts: Tartness from the fruit contrasts well with the sweet Melon Ball.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Sparkling Water with Lime: A palate cleanser between sips of the co*cktail to enhance the drink's flavors.
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What you could change in Melon Ball
Midori melon liqueur: Can be replaced with any other melon-flavored liqueur or melon syrup for a non-alcoholic version.
Vodka: Can be substituted with white rum for a different flavor profile.
Pineapple juice: Can be replaced with orange juice or a mix of both for a more tropical flavor.
Explore all drinks starting with M here
And of course - twists🍹
Melon Ball Mojito Twist
Ingredients: Midori, White Rum, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Mint Leaves, Soda Water
Recipe: Muddle mint with simple syrup and lime juice, fill glass with ice, add Midori and rum, top with soda. Garnish with mint and a melon ball.
Taste: This twist turns the Melon Ball into a refreshing mojito variant with a minty zing and less sweetness.
Spicy Melon Ball
Ingredients: Midori, Chili-infused Vodka, Pineapple Juice
Recipe: Follow the original recipe but replace vodka with chili-infused vodka for a spicy kick.
Taste: A bold juxtaposition of sweet melon and fiery spice that tantalizes the taste buds.
Berry Melon Ball
Ingredients: Midori, Raspberry Vodka, Cranberry Juice
Recipe: Shake Midori and raspberry vodka with cranberry juice, serve over ice. Garnish with fresh berries.
Taste: Combines berry tartness with melon sweetness for a fruity co*cktail adventure.
In case you forgot basics how to make Melon Ball
Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shake
Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the co*cktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strain
Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the co*cktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishing
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Frequently Asked Questions on Melon Ball
What is a good pairing for the Melon Ball co*cktail?
Since the Melon Ball has a sweet and fruity flavor, it pairs well with salty or spicy appetizers like nachos or chicken wings. It also goes well with light desserts such as cheesecake or vanilla ice cream.
Can I use other fruits for garnish instead of a melon ball?
Yes, you can. It is possible to use other fruits like pineapple or cherry for garnish, depending on your personal preference and the ingredients you have at hand.
What occasions are suitable for serving the Melon Ball co*cktail?
Given its refreshing and sweet taste, the Melon Ball co*cktail is perfect for summer parties, beach gatherings and festive celebrations. Additionally, it can be a unique and flavorful addition to co*cktail hours.
How can I adjust the sweetness of this co*cktail?
You can adjust the sweetness of this co*cktail by adding less Midori melon liqueur or by adding more pineapple juice. Additionally, you can add a sugar rim to the glass for extra sweetness.
What are some variations of the Melon Ball co*cktail?
Some variations of the Melon Ball co*cktail use other types of fruit juices, such as orange or cranberry juice. Others substitute vodka with other spirits like gin or rum for a different flavor profile.
More similar recipes to Melon Ball!
Explore new co*cktails you'd love!
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The Midori sour was both a movement and a metaphor
While the Midori melon ball was stronger and sweeter thanks to the addition of vodka and orange juice, no co*cktail captures the 1980s zeitgeist quite so much as the Midori sour.
The Melon Baller Is Every Southerner's Favorite Summer Kitchen Tool. Scoop your melons into spheres—they're delicious! The melon baller is a longtime favorite kitchen tool for Southern kitchens.
To measure the stripes on your watermelon, simply hold two fingers together lengthwise along the melon.See if you can fit both fingers within the darker green area between two white stripes, as shown in the photo above. If so, your watermelon should perfectly ripe.
Use a melon ball scoop to make perfect, round balls. Put the scoop straight down on the cut side of the melon, push it down until the little hole squeezes out juice, gently twist to get a round ball. Easy!
Originally produced in Japan by Suntory, it is a sweet liqueur made with neutral grain spirit, brandy, and sugar. The deliciously sweet flavor comes from two types of Japanese melons. Useful for making spectacular green co*cktails, Midori is a versatile liqueur that pairs well with a variety of flavors.
Midori® Melon Liqueur's quality and delicious taste come from the blending of the juices of premium muskmelons — which are extremely rare in Japan. Grown in only one region of Japan, they are incredibly hard to find. Because of this, they can sell for as much as US $20,000 in their first harvest.
What is Midori? Made by Suntory, Japan's best-known spirits liquor group, Midori is a slightly sweet melon liqueur that is primarily flavored with Japanese muskmelons. It has a sweet, earthy melon flavor without being overly cloying.
(Can be made up to 3 days in advance.) Cut each melon in half, remove and discard seeds and scoop flesh with a sharp 1-inch melon baller. Place all melon balls in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving. Pour lime syrup over melon balls.
Keep cut melon in the freezer for long-term storage.
If you can't use ripe melons before they go bad, freeze them to add to co*cktails or frozen drinks in the future. Use a melon baller to make round melon balls, or cut melon pieces into cubes for storage. Melon pieces can be kept for up to 12 months in the freezer.
Directions. Use a melon baller to scoop out balls of flesh from the cantaloupe; place balls in a large bowl. Repeat with the honeydews and add the balls to the bowl. Use the handle of a teaspoon to scrape out the visible watermelon seeds in rows, then scoop out flesh with the melon baller.
You don't need a melon baller if you have a small ice cream scooper. Our favorite use for melon balls is to freeze them then put them in spritzers for a bit more flavor.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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