This Green Lantern Cocktail has become my favorite drink to make at home, and I just had to share it with you. The first time I made it was for a movie night with friends. Now everyone keeps asking me to make it again.
What I love most about this drink is how simple it is. If you can pour and shake, you can make this cocktail. The bright green color looks super cool. It tastes amazing – sweet, but not too sweet with a refreshing hint of lime.
Don’t worry if you’re new to making cocktails. The steps are really straightforward, and I’ll walk you through everything. Plus, you probably already have most of the tools you need in your kitchen.
Transform your evening with this vibrant, superhero-inspired Green Lantern Cocktail. This eye-catching emerald drink combines smooth vodka, sweet melon liqueur, and citrus notes to create a refreshing cocktail that’s sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Stunning emerald green color perfect for photos
- Balanced blend of sweet and citrus flavors
- Easy to make with just a few ingredients
- Ideal for themed parties and superhero movie nights
- Customizable to suit your taste preferences
- Perfect for both novice and experienced mixologists
Quick Facts
Green Lantern Cocktail is a vibrant, emerald-green drink inspired by the DC Comics superhero. It combines smooth vodka with sweet Midori melon liqueur, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and a splash of lemon-lime soda, creating a refreshing balance of sweet and citrus flavors. The drink gets its signature bright green color from the Midori, while the lime adds a fresh, zesty kick. Despite its impressive appearance, it’s surprisingly easy to make, requiring just a few minutes and basic bartending skills.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: Approximately 220 per serving
Equipment Needed
- Cocktail Shaker: Essential for properly mixing and chilling the ingredients
- Jigger or Measuring Tool: Ensures accurate proportions for a balanced drink
- Hawthorne Strainer: Prevents ice and pulp from entering your glass
- Tall Collins Glass: Shows off the beautiful color and accommodates the soda
- Bar Spoon: For gentle stirring after adding soda
- Citrus Juicer: For fresh lime juice extraction
Ingredients
For the Cocktail
- 2 oz vodka (premium quality recommended)
- 1 oz Midori melon liqueur
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz triple sec
- 2 oz lemon-lime soda
- Ice cubes (both for shaking and serving)
For Garnish
- Fresh lime wheel
- Maraschino cherry
- Optional: Green sugar for rim
How To Make
Before you start, take out all your ingredients and tools. This will make everything easier.
1. Start by putting your tall glass in the freezer to chill. This takes about 5 minutes and will make your drink extra cold and refreshing. While your glass is chilling, cut a fresh lime in half and squeeze out the juice. You need about half an ounce (that’s one good squeeze from half a lime). If you want to make it extra fancy, you can rim your glass with green sugar. Just rub a lime wedge around the rim and dip it in green sugar.
2. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice – about ¾ full is perfect. Pour in 2 ounces of vodka (that’s about 2 shot glasses). Add 1 ounce of Midori (1 shot glass). Pour in your fresh lime juice (half a shot glass). Add half an ounce of triple sec (half a shot glass).
3. Put the lid on your shaker tightly and shake it well for about 15 seconds – until the shaker feels really cold in your hands.
4. Take your glass out of the freezer and fill it with fresh ice. Strain your cocktail from the shaker into your cold glass. Top it off with about 2 ounces of Sprite or 7UP (2 shot glasses). Give it a gentle stir with your spoon – just a few turns to mix everything.
Optional: For the final touch, add a slice of lime and a cherry on top.
That’s it! Your Green Lantern Cocktail is ready to enjoy. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
Pro Tips
- Use premium vodka for a smoother taste
- Fresh-squeezed lime juice makes a noticeable difference
- Chill your glass and ingredients beforehand
- Adjust soda amount to taste
- Shake non-carbonated ingredients well for proper dilution
- Add soda last and stir gently to preserve carbonation
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with light appetizers like citrus-marinated shrimp or Asian-inspired spring rolls
- Serve at superhero-themed parties or comic book movie marathons
- Create a cocktail flight with other colorful superhero-inspired drinks
- Offer both regular and virgin versions for inclusive entertaining
Troubleshooting
- Too Sweet: Add more fresh lime juice or use soda water instead of lemon-lime soda
- Too Strong: Increase soda amount or add a splash of simple syrup
- Color Not Bright Enough: Ensure you’re using proper Midori ratios and fresh ingredients
- Separating Layers: Stir gently before serving
- Too Weak: Reduce ice shake time or increase alcohol portions
Ingredient Alternatives
- Vodka: Gin for a more herbal profile
- Midori: Other melon liqueurs or apple schnapps
- Triple Sec: Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or any orange liqueur
- Lemon-lime Soda: Soda water with a splash of simple syrup
- Fresh Lime: Sweet and sour mix (though fresh is recommended)
Storage
- Single Serving: Best served immediately
- Batch Preparation: Mix all ingredients except soda and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours
- Garnishes: Prepare fresh just before serving
- Ice: Use fresh ice for each serving
Variations
- Green Lantern Mocktail
- Replace alcoholic ingredients with melon syrup, lime juice, and sprite
- Frozen Green Lantern
- Blend with crushed ice for a slushy version
- Green Lantern Punch
- Scale up ingredients for party serving
- Add floating lime wheels and mint leaves
- Spicy Green Lantern
- Add a slice of jalapeño during shaking
- Rim glass with tajin
Additional Tips for Success
- Quality ingredients make a significant difference
- Proper temperature is key – ensure everything is well-chilled
- Fresh citrus juices elevate the taste profile
- Experiment with garnishes for visual appeal
- Consider your ice quality – clear ice looks more professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time for a party? A: Yes! Mix all ingredients except soda and store in the fridge. Add soda when serving.
Q: How many calories are in this cocktail? A: Approximately 220 calories per serving.
Q: Is there a non-alcoholic version? A: Yes! See the variations section for mocktail instructions.
Q: How long will premixed cocktail last? A: Up to 24 hours when refrigerated properly (without soda).
Q: What makes it glow green? A: The Midori melon liqueur provides the signature green color.
I’d love to hear how your Green Lantern Cocktail turned out! Did you try any of the variations? Share your experience by writing a comment below.
Stay refreshed and keep mixing!
Recipe Card
Green Lantern Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cocktail
- 2 oz vodka premium quality recommended
- 1 oz Midori melon liqueur
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz triple sec
- 2 oz lemon-lime soda
- Ice cubes both for shaking and serving
For Garnish
- Fresh lime wheel
- Maraschino cherry
- Optional: Green sugar for rim
Instructions
- Before you start, take out all your ingredients and tools. This will make everything easier.
- Start by putting your tall glass in the freezer to chill. This takes about 5 minutes and will make your drink extra cold and refreshing.
- While your glass is chilling, cut a fresh lime in half and squeeze out the juice. You need about half an ounce (that’s one good squeeze from half a lime).
- If you want to make it extra fancy, you can rim your glass with green sugar. Just rub a lime wedge around the rim and dip it in green sugar.
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice – about ¾ full is perfect.
- Pour in 2 ounces of vodka (that’s about 2 shot glasses).
- Add 1 ounce of Midori (1 shot glass).
- Pour in your fresh lime juice (half a shot glass).
- Add half an ounce of triple sec (half a shot glass).
- Put the lid on your shaker tightly and shake it well for about 15 seconds – until the shaker feels really cold in your hands.
- Take your glass out of the freezer and fill it with fresh ice.
- Strain your cocktail from the shaker into your cold glass.
- Top it off with about 2 ounces of Sprite or 7UP (2 shot glasses).
- Give it a gentle stir with your spoon – just a few turns to mix everything.
- For the final touch, add a slice of lime and a cherry on top.