Midori White Christmas Cocktail Recipe

A holiday cocktail should feel festive, but honestly, who wants to fuss with something complicated? That’s exactly why I keep coming back to this one.

The Midori White Christmas Cocktail has that bright, unmistakable melon flavor from Midori, layered with creamy goodness for a smooth, colorful drink. It’s the kind of thing that looks impressive and tastes even better, without a lot of hassle.

I like serving this at holiday get-togethers because it pops on the table—something about that green and white just cuts through the usual winter colors. Plus, the combo of sweet melon and creamy texture is both refreshing and, I don’t know, kind of cozy.

If you’re after a cocktail that feels festive and special but doesn’t eat up your whole evening, this one’s a solid choice. I’ll show you what you need, how to throw it together, and what you’re in for with that first sip.

Midori White Christmas Cocktail Recipe

I reach for this recipe when I want something that’s bright and festive, but also creamy and smooth. Midori’s melon liqueur, cream, and a couple of other simple ingredients make it feel a little fancy, but not over the top.

Equipment

No need to go wild with the bar tools here. I just grab a few basics and I’m good to go.

• Cocktail shaker with a lid that actually stays on
• Jigger or, honestly, any small measuring cup
• Hawthorne strainer or just use the shaker’s built-in strainer
• Rocks glass or a short tumbler—whatever looks nice
• Bar spoon for stirring if you feel like it
• Ice cubes (don’t skimp, it matters)
• Small plate for sugar rimming, if you’re into that

I’ve found that shaking with a lot of ice really helps the cream and Midori blend together. And a sturdy glass just makes the whole thing feel a little more festive.

Ingredients

Midori’s the star here, so you get that sweet, almost neon melon taste and color. The cream and extras keep it from being too much.

• 2 oz Midori melon liqueur
• 1 oz vodka (just plain, nothing fancy)
• 2 oz half-and-half or light cream
• 1/2 oz triple sec or any orange liqueur
• Ice cubes for shaking
• Optional: whipped cream, shaved white chocolate, or a sugar rim

Sometimes I’ll use heavy cream if I want it extra thick. The orange liqueur gives a subtle citrus thing that keeps it from getting cloying.

Instructions

Here’s how I usually make it—nothing too precious, but the little details help.

• Fill your shaker halfway up with ice.
• Pour in the Midori, vodka, triple sec, and half-and-half.
• Close it up tight and shake hard for about 15–20 seconds, until it’s nice and cold.
• Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
• Top with whipped cream or shaved white chocolate if you want to get a little extra.
• Serve right away, while it’s still frosty.

I always shake it pretty hard so the cream gets a little frothy. The garnish is totally optional, but honestly, it does make it look more festive.

Notes

Midori gives a sweet, almost candy-like melon flavor that somehow still stands out, even with all that cream. The vodka keeps it from going overboard on the sugar, and the orange liqueur just brightens things up a bit.

Sometimes I’ll rim the glass with sugar before pouring—adds a crisp edge and looks pretty great, too.

If I’m feeling like something lighter, I’ll swap in milk instead of cream. And for a stronger melon punch, I just add a splash more Midori. Always serve it cold—the flavor just works best that way.

Tasting Notes

So, when I take that first sip, the sweet melon from the Midori just jumps out at me. It’s bright, fruity, and honestly, kind of playful.

The cream steps in and softens things up a bit. It gives the drink this smooth, almost silky texture that keeps the sweetness in check.

There’s also this gentle whisper of vanilla from the liqueur. It doesn’t try to steal the show, but it cozies up nicely with the melon.

The color? Oh, it’s festive for sure—almost cheerful, really. But the flavor stays pretty simple and easygoing.

I’d say it’s both refreshing and creamy, which isn’t always easy to pull off. Somehow, it just works.

Flavor highlights I notice:

• Sweet melon upfront
• Creamy vanilla finish
• Smooth and light texture

Each sip feels pretty balanced, honestly. Nothing’s shouting over the rest, which I definitely appreciate.