Lychee Martini

Article By: Krissy Downey  

A cold, sweet cocktail that goes down smooth, the lychee martini is a perfect addition to any cocktail hour or dinner party. Whether you’re curious to try the drink yourself or are looking for a sophisticated recipe to impress guests, we know you’ll be a convert after the first sip.

What Is Lychee? What Does Lychee Taste Like?

Lychee is a tropical fruit that comes from southern China. It is a round, white, opaque fruit with a pit in the center. When you buy them fresh, they have a hard, pink-ish red shell on the outside. When they come canned, the shell and pit are removed. While lychee is a unique fruit with a one-of-a-kind flavor, the flavor can be likened to that of a peeled grape with hints of rose. Lychees are fruity and floral with a juicy texture.

How to Make a Lychee Martini Like a Pro

Use vodka, not gin. We love a gin martini, but the flavor of gin would compete with, and likely overpower, the lychee flavor. Vodka provides a neutral backdrop that allows the fruitiness of the lychee to really come through.

Keep canned lychee on hand. You can absolutely use fresh lychee to make a syrup or extract juice, but it is going to be much more work than using canned. Canned lychee is peeled, pitted, and is sitting in lychee juice or puree. Keeping canned lychee in your pantry means you are always just two minutes away from a fabulous lychee martini.

Shake very well. Like any martini, a lychee martini is at its best when it is extremely cold. Add ice to your cocktail shaker along with the martini ingredients and shake until there’s condensation on the outside of the shaker, about sixty seconds of shaking.

The Best Glasses for Lychee Martinis

A classic martini glass is a natural pick. But if you want a more contemporary take, opt for coupe glasses or even rocks glasses. To jazz up your glass, feel free to skewer the lychee garnish with a pretty toothpick.

What to Eat with a Lychee Martini

Lychee martinis are often served at various Asian-style restaurants since lychee itself comes from southern China. The sweetness pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes like sushi, spring rolls, and miso-glazed cod. We even love it with dessert. Try it with fruity desserts like sorbet or coconut cake to compliment the sweet martini.