A cocktail that brings to mind sunny days: The Melon State Ball combines the sweet freshness of honeydew melon with the clean sharpness of Vodka and the characteristic melon aroma of Midori. The combination of orange juice and lemon-lime gives the drink a zesty acidity that balances the sweet base note. Perfect for those who like it fruity but not too sweet – and who fancy a small experiment with texture.
And this is what you need for the Melon State Ball
4 cl Vodka
2 cl melon liqueur (Midori or similar green melon liqueur)
4 cl freshly squeezed orange juice
1 cl freshly squeezed lemon-lime juice (mix of lemon and lime, 1:1)
1 cl sugar syrup (1:1)
Crushed ice (for garnish, optional)
This is what matters
The trick lies in the lemon-lime juice: The mix of lemon and lime gives the drink a more complex acidity than pure lemon juice – it rounds off the sweetness of the melon liqueur without being too dominant. If you prefer it even fresher, you can lightly press a small handful of fresh mint leaves (do not chop!) and add them to the shaker before shaking. This gives a subtle herbal note that enhances the fruity character. Important: Midori is very sweet – if you don’t like the liqueur, you can instead mix 1 cl melon syrup (e.g. from Italian cuisine) with 1 cl neutral liqueur to control the sweetness.
Variations
- Melon State Fizz — Shake the cocktail as described, but strain into a Highball glass with ice. Top up with 6 cl chilled soda water and gently stir. Garnish with a slice of melon and a mint sprig. Less sweet but more refreshing.
- Melon State Smash — Instead of orange juice, use 3 cl grapefruit juice and 1 cl lemon juice. Lightly press 4–5 fresh mint leaves and add them to the shaker. Strain into a Rocks glass with crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Bolder and more aromatic.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make the cocktail without melon liqueur?
Yes, but the taste changes significantly. Replace the melon liqueur with 1 cl melon syrup and 1 cl neutral liqueur (e.g. Triple Sec). The drink will be less intense in melon aroma, but still fruity. Alternatively, you can use 2 cl fresh honeydew melon juice (pureed and strained) – then omit or reduce the sugar syrup.
Why do you pre-chill the glass?
A chilled glass prevents the cocktail from losing its temperature too quickly. Especially with shaken drinks that don’t contain ice cubes, the freshness is preserved longer this way. If you don’t want to use ice water, you can also place the glass in the freezer for 5 minutes.
Can I make the drink with other types of melon?
Yes, but the sweetness varies. Watermelon is less sweet and gives the drink a more watery texture – here you should increase the sugar syrup to 1.5 cl. Galia melon or cantaloupe melon, on the other hand, work well as they are similarly sweet to honeydew melon. Important: Always use fresh, ripe melon.
