Whilst definitely not a classic, the melon ball has developed an infamy at my bar over the last year or so. I’d say this is in part down to its appearance at the cocktail night (and its self-selling excellent bright green colour), and in part down to the cult following that the TV show Archer has around these parts. If I’m being honest, Archer is where I first heard of this drink (it also introduced me to the Hurricane, but more on that later), and watching the episode involving melon balls last night prompted me to write up this simple, sweet and surprisingly tasty cocktail.



The melon ball is one of two or three vodka drinks that have found their way into my cocktail book, the cosmopolitan and white / black Russian being the others. Vodka is definitely my least favourite and most frequently disparaged spirit. As a good friend said “If i wanted to drink perfume I’d leave my mouth open when spraying aftershave”.

However, vodka – and in this case citrus vodka – has its place, generally in the dark hole of cocktail history that was the late 80’s / early 90’s (Sex on the Beach or Woo Woo anyone? Didn’t think so), and I’ll admit that the bright green melon ball heralds from a similar pedigree. Well, we’ve all got our weaknesses, and this drink has certainly established itself as a ‘guilty pleasure’, alongside the Amaretto Sour, and an admittedly bizarre affinity that I have for Cherry Sourz and Coke. Before I embarrass myself any further, lets move on to the recipe.

Melon Ball

50ml Midori

25ml Absolut Citron (or any lemon vodka)

100ml Pineapple Juice

Build in mixing glass and shake hard to mix in the pineapple juice. Strain into either a chilled coupe or a large cabernet glass filled with ice depending on the end effect you’re going for. Garnish with fresh melon balls on a cocktail stick if you have them, if not leave it be. If putting into a coupe, double strain to get rid of the foam produced in the shaking. Many recipes will call for orange juice, that’s fine, and you may prefer it that way, so try both and see which you like.