Mountain Dew Cocktail Recipe
We know how you feel about Mountain Dew. We know how you feel about drinking. Yes, you can combine the two in the Mountain Dew cocktail recipe, and here’s how.
No actual Mountain Dew was harmed in the making of this cocktail. That is to say, the Mountain Dew cocktail doesn’t actually contain any Mountain Dew. It just tastes like it.
And it’s one of those fun drinks where you get to drop a shot glass into a mug. In this case, it’s a shot full of Midori.
There are a couple of variations on this drink – one using beer, the other using vodka. The beer version definitely looks more like Mountain Dew, but a lot of people prefer the taste of the vodka version.
Why People Love This Cocktail
This drink’s not about being fancy or complicated – it’s about fun. It’s bright green, it’s fizzy, it tastes like a childhood favorite (but grown-up), and it’s easy to make in batches.
It’s also surprisingly refreshing, which makes it great for warm weather or any time you want something light but still festive.
People who are nostalgic for Mountain Dew love it because it brings back memories – with a twist. Beer lovers get something new to try, and those who just want something sweet and different are happy too.
The flavors here are honeydew melon and citrus – plus beer, if you included it. Strangely enough, both versions taste a lot – but not exactly – like Mountain Dew.
The consensus is that the no-beer version tastes a little more like actual Mountain Dew. But the beer version is close, and beer lovers may prefer it.
Whichever version you make, it’s an easygoing cocktail that tends to be much-loved by fans of Mountain Dew.
What Is Midori, and Why Does It Work?
Midori is a bright green, sweet liqueur from Japan that tastes like honeydew melon. It’s been around since the late 1970s and became a party classic because of its wild color and fruity taste.
When you add it to drinks, you get a pop of green and a sweet, juicy flavor that mixes well with all sorts of things – especially citrus. That’s why it’s such a good fit for a Mountain Dew-inspired cocktail.
The melon flavor teams up with the lemon-lime in 7-Up (or Sprite, if that’s what you have), and the result is way closer to the soda than you might expect.
How it Tastes Like Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew’s flavor is pretty unique. It’s got a citrus kick, a little bite, and a sweetness that sticks with you. The combination of Midori (for the melon), vodka (for a clean alcohol base), and 7-Up (lemon-lime soda) does a solid job of mimicking that flavor profile.
The beer version is interesting because the malt in the beer adds a little extra body, and the bubbles from both the beer and soda make it fun to drink.
If you want to get even closer to the real thing, try a squeeze of fresh lime juice or a splash of orange juice. It brightens things up and pushes the citrus notes even more.
Choosing the Right Beer
If you’re going with the beer version, you might be wondering what kind of beer to use. Stick with something light and not too bitter – think lagers or pilsners.
Avoid IPAs or anything with a strong hop flavor, because that can clash with the sweetness of the Midori and soda. A basic American lager or even a Mexican-style lager works great. The idea is to keep things crisp and easy to drink, just like Mountain Dew itself.
Serving Tips for Parties
This is a great drink to serve at parties. Watching someone make it is almost as fun as drinking it. Okay, not really, but it’s fun.
The “bomb shot” method – dropping a shot glass into your drink – is half the fun, especially if you’re making these for friends. Just be careful: don’t use delicate glassware, and always make sure your mug or glass is sturdy enough for a shot glass to drop in without breaking.
If you want to avoid any glass-to-glass action (for safety!), just pour the Midori straight into the main drink and give it a quick stir. You’ll still get all the flavor.
This just means you’ll have to test each version, at least once, in order to figure out what you like. That could take at least one whole party. Maybe a few.
You might even want to organize a whole blind taste test with some friends. That’ll lend the whole proceeding some dignity. Oh, who are we kidding?
Mountain Dew Cocktail Recipe
Bright green, fizzy, and full of fun, this Mountain Dew cocktail tastes like a grown-up version of your favorite soda - easy to make and perfect for parties.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce Midori
- Draft beer or more vodka
- 7-up
Instructions
Vodka version
- Pour an ounce of vodka into a glass.
- Fill the glass up most of the rest of the way with 7-up.
- Drop in your Midori shot.
Beer version
- Fill a beer mug a little way with beer, then a little way with 7-up, and repeat the cycle until you've filled the glass with equal amounts of each.
- Fill a shot glass with the Midori.
- Drop the whole freakin' shot glass into the beer.
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