Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Midori Sour

A neon green classic that tastes bright and balanced when you use fresh citrus and keep the sweetness in check.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A vivid green Midori Sour in a chilled coupe glass with a frothy top and a thin lime wheel garnish on a light kitchen counter
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The Midori Sour gets a bad rap because a lot of versions are basically green sugar water with regrets mixed in. But when you treat it like a real sour, meaning fresh lemon and lime, a little sweetener only if you need it, and a good hard shake, it turns into something you actually want to drink. Bright, melon-y, zippy, and dangerously easy.

This is my go-to home version: accessible ingredients, clear steps, and a couple optional upgrades if you want to get fancy without turning your kitchen into a chemistry lab.

A bottle of Midori beside fresh lemons, limes, and a small bowl of simple syrup on a clean kitchen counter

Why It Works

  • Fresh citrus fixes everything: lemon and lime pull the sweetness into balance and keep the drink tasting crisp.
  • Midori already brings sugar: we keep the add-on sweetener optional so you can dial it to your taste.
  • Egg white is optional but legit: it gives that classic sour foam and makes the drink feel creamy without adding cream. Aquafaba works, too.
  • Fast, repeatable method: one shaker, one strainer, done. No blender, no weird bottled mix.

Pairs Well With

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Storage Tips

Best case scenario: you drink it fresh. A sour is all about that just-shaken texture.

Make-ahead option

  • Batch the base: Combine Midori + lemon juice + lime juice (and simple syrup if using). Store in a sealed jar in the fridge. It is best within 12 to 24 hours; after that, the citrus starts to dull.
  • Shake per drink: Pour 3 ounces of the batch (that is one cocktail’s worth) into a shaker with ice. If using egg white or aquafaba, add it at shake time. Strain and garnish as usual.
  • If it separates: Citrus pulp and sugar can settle or layer. Just shake the jar before pouring.

Leftover citrus

  • Wrap cut lemons and limes tightly and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days max.
  • Or juice them and store the juice in a sealed container for 1 day for best flavor.

Common Questions

Is a Midori Sour the same as an Amaretto Sour?

Same idea, different vibe. Both are sours (spirit + citrus + sweet). Amaretto is almondy and warm. Midori is melon-bright and more playful.

Do I have to use egg white?

Nope. Without egg white, it is lighter and sharper. With egg white, it is smoother with a foamy cap. If you want the foam without egg, use aquafaba (chickpea liquid), about 3/4 ounce. If you are cautious about raw egg, use pasteurized egg whites.

Can I use bottled lemon or lime juice?

You can, but the drink will taste flatter and more candy-like. Fresh juice is the difference between “retro in a good way” and “why did I do this.”

How do I make it less sweet?

Skip the simple syrup and lean a little more citrus-forward. You can also add a tiny pinch of salt (seriously, just a tiny pinch) to sharpen the flavor.

Where is the vodka?

Some Midori Sour recipes add vodka or another base spirit. This version is Midori-forward on purpose, so the melon stays front and center. If you want it boozier, add 1 ounce vodka and taste for balance (you may want a splash more citrus).

What can I use instead of Midori?

Look for another melon liqueur. If you only have melon syrup, you can make a non-alcoholic version (see notes in the ingredients) or use syrup plus a neutral spirit, but the flavor will not be identical.

What glass should I use?

Coupe, Nick and Nora, or a rocks glass over fresh ice. If you want it extra refreshing, serve it on the rocks.

I used to think the Midori Sour was strictly a throwback drink. The kind of thing you order once for the color, take two sips, then quietly pivot to something else. Then I started treating it like any other sour: fresh juice, good ice, and a shake that actually earns its keep. Suddenly it went from neon nostalgia to genuinely good. It is a reminder that a lot of “old-school” drinks are one small tweak away from becoming your new weeknight favorite.