When I think of the ideal summer cocktail, something super sweet, fruity and tropical comes to mind. That’s why I love pulling out this lychee martini on a summer evening.
Lychees are tropical fruits with a bumpy fuchsia shell that encases sweet and translucently white flesh and a dark brown seed in the center. We opt for canned lychees in our recipe since they’re easier to find than fresh lychees. Plus, we get to use both the juice and lychee fruit from the can. A little vodka, dry vermouth and fresh lime juice balance out the fruit’s sweetness, resulting in the perfect summer refresher.
Lychee Martini Ingredients
- Vodka: Grab one of the good vodka brands from the store so all your vodka cocktails (especially this lychee martini!) can taste their best.
- Lychee juice: Buy one can of lychee from the store. You’ll need both the lychee juice from the can to flavor this martini, plus the actual lychees as the drink’s garnish. Pour any leftover lychee juice into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for use in other lychee cocktails.
- Vermouth: Do not use sweet vermouth for this lychee martini recipe. The cocktail has enough sugar from the lychees and the lychee juice, so opt for dry vermouth.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice provides a bit of sourness to balance out this drink’s sweetness.
- Lychees: Use canned lychees as a garnish for your lychee martini. They’re shelled, pitted and ready to eat!
Directions
Step 1: Fill the shaker
Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Pour in the vodka, lychee juice, dry vermouth and lime juice.
Step 2: Shake the cocktail
Cover the cocktail shaker with its lid and shake it vigorously until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker, 10 to 15 seconds.
Step 3: Strain and garnish the lychee martini
Strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Garnish the drink with the lychees.
Recipe Variations
- Make it more tropical: Play up lychee’s naturally tropical taste by swapping the vodka for coconut rum. Yum!
- Use lychee liqueur: Make your lychee martini a little boozier and sub lychee liqueur for the canned lychee juice.
- Add more citrus: If this lychee martini recipe is a touch too sweet for you, shake in a bit of Cointreau or triple sec to balance out the flavors.
- Top with some fizz: I love to top my summer drinks with some fizzy club soda or sparkling water. It makes the flavor taste summery and refreshing.
How to Store Lychee Martini
If you have leftovers that you really want to save, pour the contents of the lychee martini (minus the whole lychees) into a mason jar or airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to two days. When you’re ready to drink it again, shake the drink in a cocktail shaker that’s half full of ice and strain it into a glass.
Can I make lychee martini ahead of time?
Yes, you can make a lychee martini ahead of time. Pour the vodka, lychee juice, dry vermouth and lime juice into a mason jar or airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to two days. When you’re ready to serve, fill a cocktail shaker half full of ice, pour in the cocktail mixture, and shake until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with the lychees.
Lychee Martini Tips
Can I use gin instead of vodka?
You can certainly use gin instead of vodka. Gin has prominent juniper or floral notes, depending on the brand, which can be lovely with lychee’s flavor profile. However, know that vodka allows lychee to shine immediately on the first sip, while gin’s flavors will detract from that just a bit.
Where can I find canned lychee? Where can I find fresh lychee?
Canned lychee is available in most grocery stores in the canned fruit aisle or the international aisle. Fresh lychees can be found in most Asian grocery stores or specialty grocery stores.
