Lychee Martini (Better Than the Bar!)
A light, floral, slightly sweet lychee martini made with vodka, lychee syrup, lychee juice, fresh lime, and a splash of dry vermouth. Easy to shake up at home but tastes like a sleek bar cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka good-quality, unflavored
- 1 oz lychee syrup from canned lychees in syrup; start with 0.75 oz for less sweetness
- 1 oz lychee juice bottled lychee juice or additional syrup plus a splash of cold water if needed
- 0.25–0.5 oz fresh lime juice freshly squeezed; use more for extra brightness
- 0.25 oz dry vermouth optional but recommended for balance
- ice cubes for shaking; use plenty of fresh ice
- 1–2 whole lychees canned (patted dry) or fresh, for garnish
- lime peel optional, thin strip for aromatic garnish
Instructions
- Place a martini or coupe glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes so it is well chilled before serving.
- Thread 1–2 whole lychees onto a cocktail pick or small skewer. If using canned lychees, pat them dry so they don’t dilute the drink. Optionally tuck a small strip of lime peel inside a lychee for extra aroma.1–2 whole lychees, lime peel
- In a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, lychee syrup, lychee juice, fresh lime juice, and dry vermouth (if using). Taste a tiny drop and adjust with a bit more lime or syrup if desired.2 oz vodka, 1 oz lychee syrup, 1 oz lychee juice, 0.25–0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 0.25 oz dry vermouth
- Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with fresh ice cubes. Ample ice is important for proper chilling and dilution.ice cubes
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, until the shaker feels frosty and almost too cold to hold.
- Remove the chilled glass from the freezer. Strain the cocktail into the glass, catching any ice chips. For an ultra-smooth drink, double-strain through a fine mesh sieve.
- Garnish with the prepared lychee skewer on the rim or gently drop it into the glass. Serve immediately while the drink is ice cold and slightly cloudy from shaking.1–2 whole lychees
Notes
Substitutions: For a lychee martini with syrup only, replace the lychee juice with an extra 0.5 oz lychee syrup and 0.5 oz water or club soda (shaken, not topped). For a lighter drink, replace 0.5 oz vodka with 0.5 oz cold water or more lychee juice. For a sweeter cocktail, add an extra 0.25 oz lychee syrup or a splash of simple syrup. The base mix (vodka, lychee syrup, lychee juice, lime juice, and vermouth) can be combined in advance and refrigerated up to 3 days, then shaken with ice to serve. For parties, multiply the ingredients (e.g., 2 cups vodka, 1 cup lychee syrup, 1 cup lychee juice, 1/4–1/3 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup dry vermouth for 8 drinks), chill well, and shake individual portions with ice.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcal
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