Paul Kushner
The Midori Rickey is a light and refreshing cocktail with a vivid green hue and bright melon-lime flavor. This simple build balances the sweetness of Midori with the tartness of lime juice and the clean sparkle of soda water, served over crushed ice for extra chill.
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Tasting Notes
The Midori Rickey delivers a crisp, refreshing flavor profile with bright citrus and mellow melon. Midori adds sweetness and a distinct honeydew-like taste, while fresh lime juice cuts through with sharp acidity. Topped with soda water, the drink finishes clean and effervescent, keeping the palate light and balanced. The crushed ice enhances the cool factor, creating a slushy texture that slowly dilutes, mellowing the drink as you sip. Garnished with a lemon slice, the aroma is slightly zesty, complementing the drink’s citrus undertones. It’s easy to drink, with just enough character to keep things interesting.
Equipment and Glassware
You’ll need a cocktail shaker, a jigger for precise measuring, and a bar spoon if you prefer to gently mix after the pour. A citrus press or hand juicer is helpful for extracting fresh lime juice. Use a highball or Collins glass to allow space for crushed ice and soda water. A sharp knife and small cutting board make prepping the lemon garnish easy. Crushed ice works best for texture and dilution, so a Lewis bag or ice crusher is useful but not required.
Ingredients
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 2 oz Midori
- 5 oz soda water
- Garnish: lime wheel
Instructions
- Add lime juice and Midori to a shaker filled with crushed ice.
- Shake firmly for about 10 seconds.
- Pour the entire contents of the shaker including ice into a highball glass.
- Top with soda water.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Pro Tips
- Shake vigorously with crushed ice for fast chilling and proper dilution.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice for best flavor.
- “Dirty pour” means everything goes in don’t strain.
- Top with chilled soda to keep the drink cold longer.
- Add a lemon wheel and a straw for easy sipping.
- Try flavored soda water (like citrus or cucumber) for a twist.
- For less sweetness, reduce Midori to 1.5 oz.
- Chill your glass ahead of time for a frostier presentation.
When to Serve
The Midori Rickey is ideal for hot afternoons, laid-back barbecues, or poolside lounging. With its cool color and light body, it’s a crowd-pleaser for spring and summer events. Serve it as a pre-dinner refresher or alongside lighter fare like grilled seafood or salads. It also works well at casual get-togethers where something low-proof and easygoing is preferred.
Which Liquor Brands to Choose
- Melon Liqueur
- Midori (original and best-known choice)
- DeKuyper Melon
- Bols Melon
- Soda Water
- Fever-Tree Club Soda
- Q Mixers Club Soda
- Topo Chico
Similar Cocktails
Ingredients
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 2 oz Midori
- 5 oz soda water
- Garnish: lime wheel
Instructions
- Add lime juice and Midori to a shaker filled with crushed ice.
- Shake firmly for about 10 seconds.
- Pour the entire contents of the shaker including ice into a highball glass.
- Top with soda water.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes
Pro Tips
- Use fresh lime juice for a cleaner citrus bite.
- Stir gently after topping with soda if you want to integrate the bubbles more evenly.
- Crushed ice helps chill the drink quickly and adds a pleasant texture.
