Midori® Melon Liqueur Uncovers Most Commonly Misunderstood Emoji

With a Shared Japanese Heritage, Midori Challenges Consumers to Rethink How They Use Their Favorite Emoji and The Original Melon Liqueur

News provided by

Beam Suntory Inc.

Aug 12, 2016, 09:05 ET

DEERFIELD, Ill., Aug. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Midori®, The Original Melon Liqueur, is unveiling the results of an interactive online quiz created to educate consumers on how to emoji – and cocktail – responsibly. While many are familiar with the iconic green spirit, most don't know that Midori, like emoji, originated in Japan and is made from a unique distillation and infusion of Japanese cantaloupe and musk melon. Similarly, both are also often misunderstood, so Midori utilized emoji to take consumers on an exciting cocktail journey to challenge their perceptions of the melon liqueur and understanding of their favorite emoji.

"We realize that while people are familiar with our vibrant green bottle, many don't know it's a true melon liqueur with a rich heritage, unmatched quality and versatility," said Rita Patel, Vice President of Mixables at Beam Suntory. "We thought it would be fun to create a quiz using a popular form of communication with similar roots and misconceptions to encourage consumers to rethink how they cocktail with Midori!"

To create the quiz, Midori partnered with Jeremy Burge, an internationally recognized emoji expert and the founder of the world's first online emoji encyclopedia, Emojipedia, to help identify the most popular, but misunderstood emoji. With 90% of participants mistaking it for anger, the most misunderstood emoji is "look of triumph." Commonly used to signify frustration, according to Burge, this emoji actually means "victory."

"Although millions of people use emoji every day, countless numbers misuse even their favorite of these expressive icons," said Burge. "I founded Emojipedia to share the origin, history, and meaning behind these iconic symbols, so I was thrilled to work with Midori to challenge people's perceptions and educate them on how to both cocktail and emoji like a pro!"

In celebration of National Melon Day on August 14^th, Midori partnered with nationally recognized mixologists from across the country to craft unique cocktails inspired by their favorite emoji. With twists on classics, like the Hi Ball, and cocktails featuring unique ingredients like cold brew coffee and matcha, each recipe is written in emoji to encourage cocktail beginners and connoisseurs alike to test their emoji knowledge and translate the recipes while learning to craft vibrant Midori cocktails. To view all emoji cocktail recipes, click here (must be 21+).

For more information on Midori Liqueur, please visit: SayMoshiMoshiMidori.com, or to share your favorite emoji inspired cocktails, like us on http://www.facebook.com/DrinkMidori and follow us on Twitter @DrinkMidori or Instagram @DrinkMidori.

About Midori® Melon Liqueur

Midori® Melon Liqueur was developed by Japanese distiller, Suntory. In the year of its release, Midori® Melon Liqueur was featured as the principal ingredient in "The Universe," a creatively named cocktail that won first prize in the U.S. Bartenders Guild Annual Competition. Since then, its reputation among bartenders as an unparalleled mixer was secured. Noticed first for its great color – Midori means green in Japanese – the melon-flavored liqueur owes its global appeal to its superb versatility in the creation of cutting-edge cocktails. Today, Midori® Melon Liqueur continues to be the secret ingredient the leading mixologists depend on season after season. For Midori cocktail suggestions, please visit us at www.TheCocktailProject.com. Please enjoy Midori responsibly.

About Beam Suntory Inc.

As the world's third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher's, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

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Midori® Melon Liqueur, 20% Alc. /Vol. ©2016 Fielding & Jones, Ltd.., Deerfield IL.
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SOURCE Beam Suntory Inc.