Lychee Martini Recipe: Vodka, Lychee and Lime

By Aquarium Guides Editorial Team · Updated November 10, 2026

Last Updated: November 10, 2026

A lychee martini is made with 2 ounces of vodka, 1.5 ounces of lychee juice from canned fruit, 0.5 ounce of lychee liqueur or simple syrup and 0.25 to 0.5 ounce of fresh lime juice, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled martini glass with a lychee fruit as garnish. It is a floral, lightly sweet cocktail with a delicate perfumed flavor that makes it popular at dinner parties and restaurant menus alike.

What Lychee Tastes Like in a Cocktail

Lychee is a small tropical fruit with white, juicy flesh and a flavor often described as a blend of grape, pear and rose. In a martini, those floral notes become the star. Vodka is a good base because it is neutral and lets the fruit speak. Lime juice adds a small amount of acidity so the drink does not taste like cough syrup or fruit cup syrup.

Canned lychees in syrup are the easiest source of both fruit and juice, and they are available in most grocery stores’ international section. Fresh lychees are wonderful when in season but take more preparation.

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 1.5 oz lychee juice (from a can of lychees in syrup)
• 0.5 oz lychee liqueur, or 0.5 oz simple syrup if you prefer a drier drink
• 0.25 to 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• Ice
• 1 to 2 canned lychees, for garnish

Instructions

1. Chill a martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
2. Add the vodka, lychee juice, lychee liqueur and lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for about 15 seconds.
4. Strain into the chilled glass through a fine strainer.
5. Skewer one or two lychees on a pick, place it across the rim or rest it in the drink, and serve at once.

Working With Canned Lychees

Open the can and pour the liquid into a measuring cup. This syrup is sweet, so you may not need extra sweetener. Taste it before building the drink. If the syrup is very sweet, cut the lychee liqueur and increase the lime. Store leftover lychees and syrup together in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a few days.

For an extra lychee flavor boost, muddle two or three fruits in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. Strain very well afterward so no pulp reaches the glass.

Fresh Lychee Option

To use fresh lychees, peel the rough red skin, remove the glossy brown seed, and muddle 5 to 6 fruits with 0.5 ounce of simple syrup in the shaker. Add the vodka, lime juice and ice, shake and fine strain. Fresh lychee drinks taste brighter and less syrupy, though they may need a little more sweetener if the fruit is not fully ripe.

Balancing the Sweetness

Variations

Rose Lychee Martini

Add two or three drops of rose water. Lychee and rose share floral aromas, so they blend naturally. Use a very light hand, as rose water can taste soapy.

Gin Lychee Martini

Replace the vodka with a floral gin. The botanicals create a more complex, herbal cocktail.

Lychee Cosmopolitan

Add 0.5 ounce of cranberry juice and 0.25 ounce of orange liqueur for a pink, tangy variation.

Sparkling Lychee Martini

Strain into a flute, using 1 ounce of vodka, 1 ounce of lychee juice and a dash of lime, then top with 3 ounces of dry sparkling wine.

Ginger Lychee Martini

Add 0.25 ounce of ginger syrup to give a warm kick that contrasts with the soft fruit.

Garnish and Glassware

A classic martini glass or a coupe is the most common choice. Chill the glass well because the drink is served up and warms quickly. Garnish with a whole lychee on a cocktail pick, or drop a single lychee into the bottom of the glass. A thin lime twist or an edible flower also works. Since the drink is pale and translucent, a simple garnish looks best.

Food Pairings

• Sushi and sashimi: Delicate floral notes suit light seafood.
• Dim sum: Shrimp dumplings and spring rolls pair well.
• Thai salads: Lime, herbs and chile flavors match the fruit.
• Spicy noodles: The sweetness cools heat on the palate.
• Coconut desserts: Mango sticky rice and coconut pudding highlight the tropical fruit.

Common Mistakes

• Too sweet: Canned syrup can be very sugary. Cut the liqueur or add more lime.
• Cloudy drink: Pulp from muddled fruit was not strained. Always fine strain.
• Warm glass: The drink loses chill quickly. Freeze the glass first.
• Weak flavor: Some brands of lychee juice are diluted. Add a muddled lychee for intensity.

Making Lychee Syrup

For more control over sweetness, make a simple lychee syrup. Drain a can of lychees, saving the liquid, and blend half of the fruit with about 4 ounces of the liquid. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing out the juice. Stir in a squeeze of lime. This syrup is more intense than canned liquid alone, and 1 ounce of it replaces both the juice and the liqueur. It keeps for about three days in the refrigerator.

Serving a Lychee Martini at a Dinner Party

This drink suits Asian-inspired menus, brunches and light starters. Batch the vodka, juice and liqueur in a bottle at a ratio of 4:3:1, keep it in the refrigerator, and shake individual portions with ice and a splash of lime. Offer one lychee per glass on a pick so guests have something to eat when the drink is finished. Because the flavors are subtle, avoid serving it with very spicy dishes, which will overpower the fruit.

Choosing Lychee Liqueur

Lychee liqueur is generally sweet and perfumed, with a light, clear color. Some brands are more intense than others, so start with 0.5 ounce and adjust. If you cannot find it, a small amount of elderflower liqueur is an alternative with a similar floral character, though it will shift the flavor slightly toward pear and honey.

FAQ

What does a lychee martini taste like?

It tastes sweet, floral and fruity, with hints of grape and rose, balanced by a touch of lime and the clean bite of vodka.

Can I make a lychee martini without lychee liqueur?

Yes. Use lychee juice from the can along with a small amount of simple syrup. The result is lighter, with less alcohol and a fresher fruit flavor.

Which vodka is best?

A smooth, neutral vodka works best. Because the drink is delicate, avoid heavily flavored vodkas that compete with the lychee.

Can I prepare it ahead?

You can mix the vodka, juice and liqueur in advance and refrigerate. Add lime juice and shake with ice right before serving.

Please drink responsibly and enjoy in moderation.

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