Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Base spirit & soda
Fruit syrup (choose one flavor)
Garnish
Method
Prep fruit syrup (if making fresh)
Watermelon syrup
Blend 1 cup seeded watermelon chunks until smooth, strain through a fine mesh to yield about 3/4 cup juice. In a small saucepan combine 3/4 cup watermelon juice and 3/4 cup sugar. Warm over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, then cool. Yields ~1 1/2 cups. Use 1 oz per drink.
Lychee syrup
If using canned lychee in syrup, reserve 1 oz of the syrup per drink. To make from fresh lychee, blend 10 peeled lychees with 2 tbsp sugar, strain to yield about 1/2 cup. Use 1 oz per drink.
Build the drink
Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice (about 1 cup).
Measure 2 oz shochu into a jigger and pour over the ice.
Add 1 oz of your chosen fruit syrup: watermelon, lychee (or lychee liqueur), or pomegranate.
Top with 4 oz chilled club soda. Stir gently once or twice to combine, preserving carbonation.
Taste and adjust: add up to 0.5 oz more syrup if you prefer sweeter, or a squeeze of lime wedge for brightness.
Garnish & finish
Garnish according to flavor choice: skewer a watermelon cube on the rim for watermelon; drop a peeled lychee into the drink or skewer it for lychee; sprinkle a tablespoon of pomegranate arils on top or on a small pick for pomegranate.
Serve immediately with a straw or stirrer.