Lychee Martini Recipe
FLORAL AND DELICATE WITH A HINT OF SWEETNESS
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Method
Cocktail
- 1
Chill glass (optional)
Place a martini or coupe glass in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to thoroughly chill the glass.
- 2
Prepare ingredients
If using canned lychees, reserve 1 oz of the syrup (about 2 tablespoons) for the drink and set the remaining lychees aside for garnish. If using fresh lychee, peel and pit them; plan to use one for garnish and press a little juice for the measured 1 oz if possible.
- 3
Combine in shaker
Add 6 ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Pour in 2 oz vodka, 1 oz lychee liqueur (or substitute 1 oz lychee syrup if using), 1 oz lychee juice/syrup, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.25 oz simple syrup.
- 4
Shake
Secure the shaker and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold and the outside is frosty. This chills and slightly dilutes the cocktail, balancing the sweetness.
- 5
Strain and serve
Discard the ice water from the chilled glass if used. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled martini/coupe glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch ice shards and any lychee pulp for a smooth finish.
- 6
Garnish
Skewer one peeled, pitted lychee (or a maraschino cherry) on a cocktail pick and rest it across the rim or drop it gently into the drink. Optionally place an edible flower on the rim for a floral visual and aroma.
- 7
Serve
Serve immediately while cold. Tastes best when consumed within a few minutes so the aromatics and chill are at their peak.