Delicately sweet and softly fragrant, a good lychee martini is a truly elegant aperitif. Yet too often, lychee martinis are served thick with lychee syrup that makes them cloyingly sweet or splashed with citrus juice that overpowers the lychee all together. This one is simple and balanced, allowing that gorgeous flavor of the lychee to take center stage...right where it belongs.
If you enjoy cocktails that feature a subtle floral dimension, then you might also like an Elderflower Martini.
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Ingredients for Lychee Martini
- vodka
- lychee liqueur
- Blanc vermouth
- lychees and/or edible flowers, to garnish (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for Lychee Martini
Toss some ice into a mixing glass or cocktail shaker.
Add the vodka.
Then add the lychee liqueur.
Finally, add the Blanc vermouth.
Stir for at least 30 seconds, or until icy cold. Then strain into a martini or "Nick and Nora" glass.
Garnish with a lychee or two, if desired, and serve immediately. (Edible flowers also make an excellent garnish for this drink.)
Hint: Let's be honest here...a peeled lychee is not exactly the most attractive garnish to ever grace the edge of a cocktail glass. While the flavor is excellent, softly sweet and slightly floral, the strange white pallor and jelly-like texture of the lychee flesh can be a bit off-putting, to put it mildly. (Though I certainly still like to munch on these fruity little treats whenever I'm sipping a lychee martini.) So what is the solution to the utter lack of harmony between a lychee's taste and its looks? Simple. Just "gild the lychee" with an edible flower. Not only does a little color go a very long way, but a well chosen blossom also compliments the floral notes already found in the fruit!
Equipment
You will need a mixing glass (or cocktail shaker) and stirring spoon to make a lychee martini.
Top tip
Lychee martinis pair well with all sorts of savory snacks and dishes. When choosing what nibbles to serve with this drink, lean towards salty and/or spicy selections. Japanese cuisine (think sushi rolls, tempura, miso soup, etc.) makes a particularly excellent partner. The soft fragrance and delicate sweetness of this cocktail really enhances fresh seafood and salt forward bites.
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📖 Recipe
Lychee Martini
Equipment
- mixing glass (or cocktail shaker) and spoon
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce lychee liqueur
- ½ ounce Blanc vermouth
- lychees, fresh or canned (optional to garnish)
Instructions
- Toss some ice into a mixing glass or cocktail shaker.
- Add the vodka, lychee liqueur, and the Blanc Vermouth.
- Stir for at least 30 seconds, or until icy cold. Then strain into a martini or "Nick and Nora" glass.
- Garnish with a lychee or two, if desired, and serve immediately. (Edible flowers also make an excellent garnish for this drink.)
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