Hello and welcome to your new obsession. I am talking about lychee cocktails and they are a high priority agenda item.
This tropical fruit might look a little odd with spiky red skin and white flesh. But trust me on this.
The sweet and tart flavor makes legendary drinks. I have 10 recipes here that prove looks are deceiving.
From fizzes to gimlets, you are bound to find a new fixation.
1. Raspberry Lychee Fizz
Let us start with this rejuvenating fizz. I say rejuvenating because it breathes new life into the day.
Lychees and raspberries bring the juicy fruit flavors. It gets even better with a splash of rose water and sparkling water.
You can keep it as a mocktail or booze it up. A splash of gin, white rum, or vodka works great.
I think clear liquor is the way to go for these flavors. This fruity drink cools you down while quelling your thirst.
2. Lychee Clementine Cocktail
Lychees and clementines make such a great duo. Fresh clementine juice and ginger add an invigorating kick that pairs perfectly with lychee juice.
But it does not stop there. It also has a splash of apple cider, vodka, and a hint of lemon.
These bright and citrusy concoctions are all the rage for parties. They pair well with a range of festivities.
3. Empress Gin and Lychee Gimlet
This gimlet is indeed fit for an empress. It features Empress gin from British Columbia.
The small-batch spirit has notes of citrus, rose, and juniper. These add sophistication to the fragrant drink.
You will want some simple syrup despite the sweetness of the fruit. I serve mine in a coupe glass for a classic touch.
The finish calls for a toothpick of edible pansies and fresh lychee.
4. Lychee Martini
Calling all martini lovers. I found your new favorite drink.
It only calls for three ingredients. You shake it rather than stir it.
To make this fruit-forward cocktail, simply combine vermouth, vodka, and lychee juice. It is sweet and stiff without refined sugar.
You can use canned lychee syrup if fresh fruit is unavailable. Just adjust the recipe for the different sweetness level.
5. Sparkling Watermelon Lychee Cocktail
This has the makings of a summer star. It uses spiked sparkling watermelon water instead of hard liquor.
This keeps the ABV lower for a light and refreshing sip. It makes a great daytime option for chilling by the pool or hanging at the beach.
It is oozing with fresh lychee juice and watermelon to help quench your thirst and cool you down.
6. Green Halloween Lychee Gin Cocktail
I love a fun Halloween cocktail. This recipe is full of holiday spirit.
It is a vibrant neon green color. The mix includes lychee syrup, elderflower liqueur, and gin.
The garnish cleverly uses fruit to look like scary, bloodshot eyeballs. You just need food coloring and lychee eyeball garnishes.
Be sure to remove the pit if using fresh fruit.
7. Pink Grapefruit and Lychee Cocktail
Baby showers and birthdays are excellent excuses for these pink cocktails. Lychee is a wonderful match for the tartness of pink grapefruit.
Vodka is the best choice to avoid distracting from the fruit. It is neutral enough to not overpower the nuances like rum or bourbon might.
I do think gin makes a fine substitution though. Serve it on the rocks or use a shaker to strain.
8. Lychee Cranberry Gin Cocktail
Lychees taste a bit like a cross between a strawberry and a watermelon. They go well with many fruits.
I prefer to mix them with cranberries when I want something tart. This cocktail is the ultimate combination of sweet, tart, and fizzy.
You add a shot of gin and top it with sparkling water. It only takes 5 minutes to make.
9. Frozen Lychee and Mint Cocktails
Are fruity frozen cocktails your jam? Step right up for this one.
It is like a boozy slushie without the sickly sweet ingredients. It calls for a blend of canned lychee, vodka, lime, and mint.
The mint gives it a cheery green color. This is an excellent way to beat the heat on a sweltering summer day.
You can easily double the batch since it is a blended recipe.
10. Lavender Lychee Collins Cocktail
This is what craft cocktails are all about. This recipe uses fine ingredients like quality gin, lavender simple syrup, and fresh lychee.
Add a splash of lemon juice and soda water to pull it all together. You will want to serve this in a tall glass with ice.
Whether toasting a celebration or catching up with a friend, this is one for the books.