I knew lychees were destined for legendary drinks the very second I tasted their sweet and tart flavor. That spiky red exterior and strange white flesh might look a little intimidating, but these 10 recipes prove that looks can be deceiving. Get ready to find your new favorite drink among these fruity gimlets and refreshing fizzes!
1. Green Halloween Lychee Gin Cocktail
I absolutely love whipping up festive Halloween drinks and this neon green concoction is practically bursting with spooky spirit. It combines gin, elderflower liqueur, and sweet fruit syrup for a tantalizingly delicious sip.
The best part is absolutely the creepy eyeball garnish made entirely from fruit. You just need a bit of food coloring to complete the eerie visual. Make sure you remove the pits if you decide to use fresh fruit for those spooky little eyes.
2. Raspberry Lychee Fizz
This rejuvenating fizz will absolutely breathe fresh life into your afternoon. It packs a massive fruity punch thanks to the combination of raspberries and sweet lychees. A delicate splash of rose water and bubbly sparkling water elevates the entire glass.
You can easily enjoy it as a hydrating mocktail or spike it with clear spirits like vodka or gin. These bubbly fruit creations are my favorite way to cool off and satisfy a stubborn thirst.
3. Empress Gin and Lychee Gimlet
This sophisticated gimlet features a gorgeous small batch gin from British Columbia called Empress. You will notice elegant hints of citrus, rose, and juniper blending into the sweet fruit juice. A little simple syrup and lime juice finish off the classic flavor profile beautifully.
I prefer sipping mine from a coupe glass whether served straight up or over ice. Garnish it with fresh fruit and edible pansies on a toothpick for the ultimate visual appeal.
4. Pink Grapefruit and Lychee Cocktail
You can whip up a batch of these pink drinks for birthdays or a fun dinner with friends. The tartness of pink grapefruit pairs beautifully with the sweet fruit.
I highly recommend using vodka because it acts as a neutral base that lets those delicate flavors shine. Gin also works wonderfully if you prefer that botanical twist. Just pour it on the rocks or shake and strain it to keep the flavors perfectly potent.
5. Lavender Lychee Collins Cocktail
This recipe truly captures the elegant essence of craft cocktails. You get to mix high quality gin with fresh fruit and a delicate lavender simple syrup. A final splash of soda water and lemon juice brings all those beautiful botanical notes together.
I strongly suggest serving this beauty in a tall glass packed with ice. It is the perfect refreshing drink for celebrating special moments or catching up with good friends.
6. Lychee Martini
Martini fans are going to completely obsess over this shaken fruit focused drink. It comes together with just vermouth, vodka, and lychee juice for a sweet yet stiff sip. I love that it skips refined sugar entirely while still tasting utterly fabulous.
If fresh summer lychees are out of season, canned syrup works perfectly as a backup. Just remember to tweak the sweetness a bit if you go the canned route.
7. Lychee Cranberry Gin Cocktail
Lychees bring a unique flavor that reminds me of strawberries crossed with watermelon. Mixing them with cranberries creates a delightfully tart and fizzy drink that hits all the right notes.
Simply pour in a shot of gin and finish it with a splash of sparkling water. It takes merely five minutes to assemble. You will definitely end up making multiple rounds because everyone will beg for a taste.
8. Sparkling Watermelon Lychee Cocktail
This beauty is absolutely going to be your summer star. It skips the hard liquor entirely and relies on spiked sparkling watermelon water for a lower alcohol content. That light profile makes it the ultimate daytime drink for lounging by the pool or relaxing on the beach.
You get an amazing mix of fresh melon and sweet lychee juice to cool you right down. It is simply incredibly refreshing.
9. Lychee Clementine Cocktail
Clementines and lychees make an incredibly dynamic flavor pairing. The sharp ginger and fresh clementine juice bring an invigorating zing that perfectly complements the sweet tropical base. It also incorporates vodka along with a splash of apple cider and a hint of lemon.
This bright and citrusy concoction will undoubtedly become the star of your next party. I guarantee your guests will ask for the recipe before the night is over.
10. Frozen Lychee and Mint Cocktails
If you adore frozen cocktails, this grown up slushie is going to blow your mind. It skips the heavy syrups and relies on canned lychees blended with vodka, lime, and mint.
That mint adds a gorgeous bright green hue while delivering intense refreshment. It provides the absolute best way to cool down during scorching summer afternoons. Plus you can easily double the recipe in your blender to satisfy a thirsty crowd.