Melon liqueur is a sweet, aromatic spirit flavored with melon, typically cantaloupe or honeydew. The best-known commercial version, Midori, was created in Japan in 1964 (originally sold as Hermes Melon Liqueur, renamed Midori in 1978) and is made from Japanese muskmelon. Italy and other Mediterranean countries also produce their own melon liqueurs from local cantaloupe varieties, generally by macerating the fruit in neutral spirit.
The flavor is sweet, juicy, and slightly floral, with acidity that keeps it from tasting cloying.
Melon liqueur is usually served chilled as a digestif or used in cocktails such as the Midori Sour, Japanese Slipper, or melon martini. It also flavors desserts like granita, sorbet, and cake fillings, and can be worked into savory glazes or vinaigrettes in small amounts.