Enjoy a Lychee Martini With a DIY Lychee Liqueur (2024)

For the Lychee Liqueur:

• 2 cups lychee fruit, about 380 grams

• 1 lime, zested

• 375 milliliters vodka, about 1 1/2 cups

• 1 cup simple syrup

For the Lychee Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup peeled and pitted lychee fruit

For the co*cktail:

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka

• 1 1/2 ounces lychee liqueur, or lychee syrup

• 1 splash freshly squeezed lime juice

• Pitted lychee, for garnish

Make Lychee Liqueur

Time is the biggest factor with a homemade lychee liqueur, but the result is worth the wait. It will take about one month to finish.

This recipe makes about 16 ounces or a little more than a pint of liqueur. It's best to start with this smaller batch until you perfect the recipe to your taste. Take notes on any adjustments you make,and once you have it where you like it, scale it up to make a larger batch.

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Peel and cut the lychee fruits in half. Add the pieces to a glass jar that has a capacity of at least 16 ounces. Add the zest of 1 lime, then fill the jar with the vodka.

   

3. Seal the jar and give it a good shake.

   

4. Store in a cool, dark place for four weeks, shaking it every couple of days. Give it a taste test after two weeks, then again a week later to see how the flavor is progressing. Four weeks will give it a good flavor, but it might take more to get to your ideal flavor.

   

5. Once the vodka is flavored to your liking, heavily strain the fruit from the vodka through a cheesecloth or a very clean kitchen towel. Be sure to squeeze all of the liquid from the lychee.

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6. Strain again to ensure all of the liquid is removed from the fruit. During this final straining, you can filter it directly into the bottle that will store the liqueur: Use a funnel and place the cheesecloth inside.

   

7. Add 1 cup of simple syrup to the bottle, tighten the lid, and shake vigorously. Store the finished liqueur in the refrigerator where it will keep for about three months.

   

Or Make Lychee Syrup

Lychee syrup is very easy to make and is a great substitute for the lychee liqueur. It is no different than any other flavored syrup. You'll simply use lychee fruits for the flavor. It takes less than an hour from start to finish, and the finished syrup can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.

This recipe makes about 1 cup of syrup. It can be adjusted by increasing the sugar and water quantities in an equal manner.

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Combine 1 cup each of sugar and water in a saucepan.

   

3. Bring to a slow boil, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.

   

4. Add the lychee fruit, reduce the heat, and cover.

   

5. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

   

6. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 30 minutes.

   

7. Strain the fruit from the syrup and pour it into a glass bottle with a tight-sealing lid. It will keep in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.

   

Make the Lychee Martini

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. In a co*cktail shaker filled with ice, pour the vodka, lychee liqueur or syrup, and lime juice. Shake well.

   

3. Strain into a chilled co*cktail glass.

   

4. Garnish with pitted lychee fruit. Serve and enjoy.

   

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

• martini
• asian
• summer
• beverage

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