Easy Lychee Martini Recipe

This lychee martini is sweet, floral, and made with just three ingredients. Canned lychee syrup flavors the drink, and canned or fresh lychees make a pretty (and delicious) garnish.

It all started with some gorgeous fresh lychees I spotted at the wet market. I couldn't walk past them. I knew I wanted to create some sort of drink, and that's how this lychee martini was born.

It looks and tastes like something you'd order at a fancy bar, but for just a fraction of the price. It's perfect for holiday entertaining!

Here's a little secret: I'm not much of a drinker, so I wanted something simple, sweet, and smooth. This lychee martini is exactly that. It takes just three simple ingredients (plus the lychee as the garnish). I've made it several times, and it's turned out perfectly every time.

Don't worry if you can't find fresh lychees, though. Canned lychee works beautifully here and is actually what I use for the drink itself!

What Is a Lychee?

When I was growing up in Malaysia, lychees were always a seasonal treat. You'd find them at the wet market, and eating them fresh was one of those simple childhood pleasures.

Years later, while living abroad in Oregon, I'd pick them up from the Asian supermarket from time to time whenever I was feeling a little homesick.

Lychees (pronounced "lai-chee" or "lee-chee") have a bumpy red skin that you need to peel off. Fair warning: Lychees are quite juicy, so peeling them can get a little messy! Inside, you'll find a white, translucent flesh with a seed in the center. The seed is not edible.

To me, lychees taste like a cross between an apple, a pear, and a grape, with a lovely floral note.

What Kind of Lychees Will I Need for This Martini?

Fresh lychees have a brighter flavor and a firmer texture. Canned lychees are softer and sweeter since they're packed in syrup, but the flavor is still delicious.

Personally, I prefer to use the syrup from canned lychee fruit for this recipe. The lychees are packed in a sweet syrup that is perfect for this cocktail. It gives you a nice crystal-clear drink. It's what I used in the photos and video for this post.

If you're using canned lychee, you can use the syrup for the cocktail and the fruit as a garnish.

However, if you use fresh lychee fruit for the garnish, there are other ways in which you can use the canned lychee fruit so it doesn't go to waste: you can freeze them to use as ice cubes, or you can also just keep them in the fridge and enjoy them as a chilled snack.

You could also use store-bought lychee juice, or homemade lychee juice (see below) for the cocktail if you have access to fresh lychees. If you are using lychee juice, the martini will be less sweet so you may wish to add some simple syrup.

To make homemade lychee juice: Add about 20 peeled and pitted lychees into a blender with ½ a cup of water. Blend until smooth, then strain the lychee puree through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the pulp. Finally, add three tablespoons of simple syrup to the juice, then stir to combine.

Lychee Soda: Grace from Nyonya Cooking has a great resource on Lychee Soda. If you would like a little bubbly in your martini, I encourage you to give her recipe a try and incorporate it into this lychee cocktail.

Lychee Martini Ingredients

The amounts below makes two servings, but feel free to adjust them to your taste.

• 6 oz lychee syrup (from canned lychee fruit)
  • You may also use lychee juice (store-bought or homemade), or if you like your cocktail really strong, try it with lychee liqueur.
• 4 oz vodka
• ½ oz dry vermouth
• Fresh or canned lychees for garnish
• Ice for shaking and chilling the martini glasses
  

How to Make a Lychee Martini

Step 1: Chill your glasses

Before you start, fill your martini glasses with ice, then set them aside. This chills your glasses so that the drinks stay super cold. Pour out the ice just before serving.

Step 2: Add your ingredients

Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice, then add the lychee syrup, vodka and vermouth

Step 3: Shake!

Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds, then pour into martini glasses.

Step 4: Garnish and serve

Garnish your lychee martini with fresh or canned lychee fruit.

Serve immediately.

Cheers!

Lychee Martini Variations

Once you've tried the classic version of the lychee martini, here are some variations if you want to switch things up!

• Swap the vermouth for sake: This is one of my favorite twists. Sake adds a smooth, subtle flavor that pairs really well with the lychee.
• Lychee gin martini: Swap vodka for gin for a botanical, herbal flavor.
• Lychee rose martini: Add a few drops of rose water for an extra floral touch.
• Lychee liqueur martini: Swap part or all of the lychee syrup for lychee liqueur for a stronger cocktail.
• Sparkling lychee martini: Shake the vodka and vermouth with ice, strain into a glass, then top with lychee soda for a little fizz.
• Lychee mocktail: Skip the alcohol and mix lychee syrup with soda water or lychee soda and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Just a heads up that some of these variations may not be as sweet as the classic version. If that's the case, just add some simple syrup to taste.

Making Lychee Martinis for a Crowd

Hosting a holiday party? Lychee martinis are a great choice for entertaining. Here are a few tips to make hosting easier, so you can enjoy the party too!

• Make a big batch ahead of time. Multiply the ingredients by the number of guests, then combine everything in a large pitcher. Keep it in the fridge till you are ready to serve.
  • This recipe makes 2 servings, so multiply by half the number of guests
  • Mix everything without ice so it doesn't get watered down as it sits
• Pop your martini glasses in the freezer for about 30 minutes to an hour before your guests arrive. Cold glasses help keep the drinks colder for longer.
• Set up a self-serve station with the pitcher, glasses, and garnishes so your guests can prepare their own drinks. Set the pitcher in a bowl of ice to keep everything nice and cold.
• Have fun with the garnishes! Swap (or alternate) the lychee garnish with watermelon balls for a fun festive twist. Lychee and watermelon go soooo well together! You can also freeze your garnishes so they keep your drinks cool. Fresh mint also adds a pretty pop of green.
• Keep an alcohol-free mocktail version on hand in a separate pitcher. Your non-drinking guests will appreciate it!

Frequently Asked Questions

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