Melon Ball Drop

The Japanese melon liqueur, Midori, is the predominant flavor of the MELON BALL DROP. The sweetness of the Midori, and to a lesser extent the elderflower liqueur, is balanced nicely by vodka and fresh lemon juice. It’s a popular choice for New Year’s Eve; but you may not want to wait for a once-a-year occasion to have one.

Requirements: Melon liqueur (Midori preferred), elderflower liqueur (St-Germain preferred), vodka, lemon juice, melon ball/cube for garnish (honeydew preferred)

• 1.5 oz. vodka
• 1.5 oz. melon liqueur
• .5 oz. elderflower liqueur
• .75 oz. fresh lemon juice
• melon ball or cube for garnish

Combine all liquid ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a cocktail skewer of 3-4 melon balls (or cubes) and rest vertically along side of the glass to complete the “ball drop” look. Optional: Rim the chilled glass with sugar.

Comments: The Melon Ball Drop leans toward being sweet, especially if you follow more common recipes. I’ve reduced some of the sweetness by using equal parts Midori and vodka, versus the more common 2:1 ratio of Midori to vodka. For a slightly sweeter drink that adds more complexity, you can use citron vodka instead of plain vodka. Rimming the glass with sugar is nice if presenting the drink as an after-dinner drink; otherwise, the additional sugar really isn’t necessary. If you’re a fan of the full-flavored martini (i.e., Cosmopolitan, Apple Martini), this is a must-have. It’s about the same alcohol strength as the Apple Martini and Cosmo.