Lychee Martini
ABV 22% / 2.3 alcoholic units
Primary spirit: Vodka
A Brief History of the Lychee Martini
The Lychee Martini is a modern cocktail that rose to popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s, as bartenders increasingly incorporated Asian fruits and flavours into contemporary cocktail menus.
Despite its name, the Lychee Martini isn't a traditional Martini in the classic sense. Instead, it belongs to the modern family of fruit Martinis: spirit-led cocktails shaken with fruit, liqueurs and citrus before being served straight up in a chilled Martini or coupe glass.
Lychee is particularly well suited to this style of cocktail. Its naturally sweet, floral and lightly perfumed character pairs beautifully with the clean profile of vodka, while fresh lemon juice provides the acidity needed to create a balanced and refreshing drink.
Taste and Flavour Profile
The Lychee Martini is an elegant, fruit-forward cocktail with delicate floral aromas, juicy tropical fruit and a refreshing citrus finish.
Vodka: Provides a clean, smooth base that allows the delicate flavour of lychee to take centre stage.
Lychee Liqueur: Brings fragrant floral notes and the distinctive sweet, tropical flavour of fresh lychee.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and acidity, balancing the sweetness of the lychee liqueur.
Simple Syrup: A small amount rounds out the acidity and creates a smooth, balanced finish.
The result is a cocktail that's fragrant, lightly sweet and refreshing, combining delicate floral lychee with clean vodka and bright citrus.
Food Pairings
The floral sweetness and fresh citrus character of a Lychee Martini make it particularly well suited to Asian-inspired dishes and lighter foods.
Sushi & Sashimi: The cocktail's clean, delicate flavours work particularly well with salmon, tuna and other fresh fish.
Thai Cuisine: Lychee's sweetness provides a refreshing contrast to chilli, lemongrass and aromatic Thai spices.
Prawns & Seafood: Try with grilled prawns, tempura or lightly spiced seafood dishes.
Duck: Lychee works particularly well with rich duck dishes, especially those incorporating plum, hoisin or Asian spices.
Fresh Fruit Desserts: Pair with mango, coconut, passion fruit or other tropical fruit desserts.
Bar Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Mexican elbow
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine sieve
- Martini or coupe glass
- Cocktail pick
Ingredients
- 45ml Vodka
- 15ml Lychee liqueur
- 15ml Dry vermouth
- 15ml Lychee juice drink
- 1 lychee to garnish
Method
- Chill a Martini or coupe glass with ice or place it in the freezer before making the cocktail.
- Add all the ingredients into the cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.
- Double strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lychee on a cocktail pick.
What's the Best Vodka for a Lychee Martini?
A Lychee Martini benefits from a smooth, clean vodka that complements rather than overpowers the delicate floral character of the lychee. Here are three of our favourites:
Black Cow Vodka – Made in Dorset from milk, Black Cow has an exceptionally smooth, creamy texture that works beautifully with the soft, floral sweetness of lychee. A great choice if you're looking for a premium British vodka.
Ketel One Vodka – A Dutch vodka with a silky softness, subtle citrus notes and a long, clean finish. Its crisp character makes it particularly well suited to fresh, fruit-led cocktails such as the Lychee Martini.
Belvedere Vodka – Made from Polish rye, Belvedere has a rich, velvety texture with subtle notes of vanilla, almond and white pepper. It gives the Lychee Martini a slightly fuller, more luxurious mouthfeel.
Whichever you choose, avoid heavily flavoured vodkas. The aim is for the vodka to provide structure and texture while allowing the delicate floral and tropical character of the lychee to remain the star of the cocktail.
