Melon Ball Party Shooter

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/11/24
Tested by Joan Velush
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 shot

The melon ball is a delicious, fruity vodka shooter that's a lot of fun at parties. It has a tropical fruit flavor thanks to the melon liqueur (most often Midori) and pineapple juice, a taste that's hard to resist.

As far as vodka shots go, this is one of the tastiest you will find. Actually, it may be a little too good because it's easy to have one too many. If you're looking for a green shot to match a holiday or party theme, mix up a few melon balls and everyone is sure to have a great time.

Melon ball party shot

The Spruce Eats / Preethi Venkatram
What You'll Need to Make This Melon Ball Shooter Recipe
A Great Cocktail Jigger
A Sleek Barspoon
A Handy Dandy Cocktail Strainer

“Enjoy the classic Melon Ball Cocktail in shooter form. This fruity cocktail has been a longtime favorite and, like many favorites, it seems to be coming back into popularity. It’s easy to make and a great batch-made shooter for parties.” —Joan Velush

Melon ball party shooter on a silver platter
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ounce vodka

  • 1/4 ounce melon liqueur

  • 1/4 ounce pineapple juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make melon ball party shots

    The Spruce Eats / Preethi Venkatram

  2. In a mixing glass or small pitcher, pour the vodka, melon liqueur, and pineapple juice.

    A hand pouring pineapple juice into a glass with vodka and melon lliqueur

    The Spruce Eats / Preethi Venkatram

  3. Add ice and stir well.

    Ice added to the glass of pineapple juice, vodka, and melon liqueur

    The Spruce Eats / Preethi Venkatram

  4. Strain into a shot glass and serve.

    A melon ball party shooter

    The Spruce Eats / Preethi Venkatram

Tips

  • If you like, feel free to shake this shot with ice. It will have an extra effervescence that stirring doesn't provide.
  • Since it's only a 1 1/2-ounce shooter, you can easily make three or four at one time. Just increase the ingredients proportionally, line up the shot glasses on your bar, and fill each glass, pouring down the line.

Turn It Into a Cocktail

This recipe is so easy and such a delicious drink that you might just want to enjoy it as a taller cocktail. Sipping on the sweet mix of pineapple and melon is a fantastic way to enjoy happy hour or a summer afternoon on the patio. All you need to do is increase the recipe.


Start with a shot (1 1/2 ounces) of vodka, then pour 3/4 ounce each of the melon liqueur and pineapple juice. Give the mix a good shake and strain it into a cocktail glass or over fresh ice in a highball glass. Topping it off with a little club soda or ginger ale is an excellent idea as well.

What Type of Vodka Should I Use?

Shots are drunk quickly, so the choice of vodka is not as important in this drink as it would be in a cocktail. However, to help it go down smoother, it's always a good idea to choose your vodka wisely. The great news is that there are many great-tasting vodkas available that don't cost a fortune. From New Amsterdam to Svedka, it's rather easy to find a clean-tasting and budget-friendly vodka for drinks like this.


If you want to add a little extra flavor to your melon ball shots, pick a flavored vodka. Stick with fruit flavors like strawberry, raspberry, or citrus to add a new twist. Since the shot includes pineapple, a coconut vodka would be a lot of fun as well. It's also a good recipe for your favorite marshmallow vodka.

How Strong Is a Melon Ball Shot?

This shot not only tastes great, but it's also one of the lightest shooters you can mix up. On average, its alcohol content is just 17 percent ABV (34 proof), or slightly stronger than wine. Do be careful, though—the sweet taste can trick you into drinking more, and a few rounds will add up.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
36 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 36
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 3mg 17%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 10mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)