Lychee Martini (Better Than the Bar!)
A light, elegant lychee martini made with vodka, canned lychees, lychee syrup, and fresh lime juice. Fruity, floral, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart—bar-quality but easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka good-quality, neutral; e.g., Tito’s, Ketel One, or Grey Goose
- 1 oz canned lychee syrup from a can of lychees in syrup, chilled if possible
- 1 oz lychee juice from a carton or blended/strained from canned lychees
- 1/2–3/4 oz fresh lime juice start with 1/2 oz and add more to taste
- ice cubes for shaking
- 2–3 canned lychees patted dry, for garnish
- 1/4 oz dry vermouth optional, for a more classic martini profile
- superfine sugar optional, for rimming the glass
- lime wedge optional, to rim the glass with sugar
Instructions
- Place your martini or coupe glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes so it’s frosty and helps keep the cocktail very cold.
- Remove 2–3 canned lychees from the syrup and gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Thread them onto a cocktail pick or small skewer and set aside.2–3 canned lychees
- If you’d like a sugar rim, run a lime wedge around the rim of the chilled glass, then dip the rim into a shallow plate of superfine sugar. Return the glass to the freezer while you mix the drink.superfine sugar, lime wedge
- Add vodka, canned lychee syrup, lychee juice, and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker. If using dry vermouth, add it now. Taste a drop with a spoon; if you prefer sweeter, add up to an extra 1/4 oz lychee syrup.2 oz vodka, 1 oz canned lychee syrup, 1 oz lychee juice, 1/2–3/4 oz fresh lime juice, 1/4 oz dry vermouth
- Fill the shaker at least halfway with ice. Seal and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels very cold and frosty.ice cubes
- Remove the chilled glass from the freezer. Strain the cocktail into the glass using the shaker’s strainer. For an ultra-smooth drink, double-strain through a fine mesh sieve to catch any pulp or ice shards.
- Garnish with the lychee skewer or float a lychee in the glass. Serve immediately while icy-cold; the drink is best within the first 10 minutes.2–3 canned lychees
Notes
For parties, multiply the vodka, lychee syrup, lychee juice, and vermouth (if using) and mix in a pitcher without ice; refrigerate up to 24 hours. Shake individual portions with ice and add fresh lime juice just before serving for the brightest flavor. Adjust sweetness by varying lychee syrup and lime: more lime and less syrup for a drier, more tart drink; the reverse for a sweeter version.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcal
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