Ingredients
- 45 ml Vodka
- 30 ml Lychee liqueur (Soho or Kwai Feh)
- 15 ml Lychee syrup (from canned lychees)
- 15 ml Fresh lime juice
- 1 Peeled lychee for garnish
Instructions
- Add vodka, lychee liqueur, lychee syrup, and lime juice to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12-15 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Drop a single peeled lychee in as garnish.
Notes
Where it came from
The Lychee Martini emerged from American hotel bars in the early 2000s, riding the wave of Asian-fusion cocktail menus and the rise of lychee liqueurs like Soho and Kwai Feh. It got popular fast because lychees are unfamiliar enough to feel exotic but accessible enough that people order on instinct.
It’s having a moment again in 2025-2026 thanks to TikTok and a general resurgence in floral and fruit-forward cocktails. Trending pages on Pinterest and Instagram for “Lychee Martini” are up sharply.
What it tastes like
Floral lychee dominates — like rosewater meets pear. Sweet but not sickly. The lime cuts through the sweetness and adds brightness. The vodka holds the alcohol weight without showing up.
It’s a great gateway drink for people who don’t like Negronis, Old Fashioneds, or bitter cocktails. Sweet, fruity, easy to drink, photographic.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
The lychee liqueur
- Use
- Soho Lychee Liqueur (French) or Kwai Feh (Dutch)
- Try
- DeKuyper Lychee Schnapps (cheaper, sweeter)
- Why
- Soho is the standard. Kwai Feh is sharper. Schnapps is the budget version.
The lychees
- Use
- Tinned lychees in syrup (use both fruit and syrup)
- Try
- Fresh lychees when in season (spring-summer)
- Why
- Tinned is reliable year-round; fresh is meaningfully better when available.
The vodka
- Use
- Smirnoff, Absolut, or any 80-proof neutral vodka
- Try
- Lychee-infused vodka for double-down flavour
- Why
- Neutral vodka lets the lychee dominate.
Variations
Other martinis and floral fruit cocktails worth ordering.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Elderflower liqueur (St Germain) is the closest swap — different fruit but similar floral character.
Use 1 tablespoon of rose syrup or rose water (literally drop). Lychee tastes vaguely rose-like.
Bottled is meaningfully worse but works. Lemon also works.
Bump vodka to 60ml and skip the lychee syrup.
Lychee syrup + lime + soda water + ice. Skip the vodka and liqueur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Lychee Martini?
A Lychee Martini is vodka, lychee liqueur (Soho or Kwai Feh), lychee syrup from a tin of lychees, and fresh lime juice, shaken with ice and double-strained into a chilled coupe. Garnished with a single peeled lychee.
How do you make a Lychee Martini?
Add 45ml vodka, 30ml lychee liqueur, 15ml lychee syrup, and 15ml fresh lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 12-15 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe. Drop a peeled lychee in as garnish.
What does a Lychee Martini taste like?
Floral and fruit-sweet — lychee tastes like a cross between rosewater, pear, and grape. The lime adds brightness. The vodka holds the alcohol weight without flavour. Sweet but the lime keeps it from being sickly.
Where do you buy lychee liqueur?
Liquor stores, Asian grocery stores, online (Soho is widely available). Kwai Feh is harder to find outside Europe. DeKuyper Lychee Schnapps is the budget option in US/Australian liquor stores.
Can I use fresh lychees instead of tinned?
Yes when in season (May to September depending on region). Peel and pit them, blend the flesh into syrup with a small splash of simple syrup, strain. The flavour is meaningfully fresher than tinned but the tinned syrup is convenient year-round.
How strong is a Lychee Martini?
About 22-25% ABV in the glass. Vodka is 40%, lychee liqueur is 18-20%. Stronger than a Margarita, weaker than a regular Martini.
Is a Lychee Martini the same as a Lychee Cosmopolitan?
No. Lychee Cosmopolitan adds cranberry juice and triple sec. Lychee Martini is the cleaner two-spirit version. The Cosmopolitan version is more red, more cranberry-tart.
What food pairs with a Lychee Martini?
Asian food (sushi, dim sum, Vietnamese spring rolls), light seafood, summer salads with citrus dressing. The floral character fights heavy red meat dishes.
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