Prepare yourself for your new obsession because lychee cocktails are a high priority on the cocktail hour agenda.
The moment I bit into a sweet and tart lychee I knew it had the makings for creating legendary cocktails.
Although I admit, this tropical fruit isn’t the most appealing.
It’s spiky red on the outside with an odd gleaming white flesh on the inside that some may not be so keen on devouring.
But these cocktails are proof that looks can be very deceiving!
From fruity gimlets to refreshing fizzes, there’s a lychee cocktail on this list that’s bound to be your new fixation.
1. Pink Grapefruit and Lychee Cocktail
Baby showers, birthdays, and dinners with friends are all excellent excuses to bust out a batch of these pink cocktails.
Lychee is a wonderful accompaniment for the tartness of pink grapefruit. To avoid distracting from the fruit, vodka is the best choice.
It’s a pretty neutral cocktail so it won’t overpower the nuances of the fruit like rum or bourbon will. Although, I do think gin will make a fine substitution.
Serve this one on the rocks or use a shaker to strain if you don’t want to run the risk of watering down the flavors.
2. Sparkling Watermelon Lychee Cocktail
This has all the makings to be the star of summer.
It uses spiked sparkling watermelon water rather than hard liquor. This lowers the ABV to keep things light and refreshing without being too boozy.
This makes it a great daytime sipper when you’re chilling by the pool or hanging out at the beach.
It’s also oozing with fresh lychee juice and watermelon to help quench your thirst and cool you down.
3. Lychee Martini
Calling all martini lovers, I’ve got your new favorite drink! It only calls for three ingredients and is shaken, not stirred.
To make this fruit-forward cocktail, you’ll combine vermouth, vodka, and lychee juice. It’s sweet and stiff without using any refined sugar.
Lychees are a summer fruit, so if you can’t get your hands on some you can use canned lychee syrup instead.
This will have a different level of sweetness, so you’ll have to adjust the recipe accordingly.
4. Empress Gin and Lychee Gimlet
This gimlet is fit for an empress indeed!
It features Empress gin which is a small-batch gin that harkens from British Columbia.
It has notes of citrus, rose, and juniper which add to the sophistication of this fragrant drink.
While lychee juice is sweet, you’ll still want to use some simple syrup. In true gimlet fashion, you’ll also need some lime.
You can serve this straight or on the rocks. I like to pour mine in a coupe glass for a classic touch.
Speaking of which, the finishing touch for this drink calls for a toothpick of edible pansies and fresh lychee fruit.
5. Lychee Cranberry Gin Cocktail
Lychees kind of taste like a cross between a strawberry and watermelon.
They go well with various fruits, but I prefer to mix them with cranberries when I want something tart.
This cocktail is tart, sweet, and fizzy which are the ultimate combination. You’ll add in a shot of gin and top it off with sparkling water.
This only takes about 5 minutes to make, which is great because I have a feeling you’re not the only one who wants one.
6. Frozen Lychee and Mint Cocktails
Are fruity frozen cocktails your jam? Well, step right up because this one’s for you.
It’s like a boozy slushie without all the sickly sweet ingredients.
It calls for a blend of canned lychee, vodka, lime, and mint. The mint gives it a cheery green color that’s refreshing to boot.
This is an excellent way to beat the heat on a sweltering summer day.
Oh, and since it is a blended recipe you can easily double up on the batch to share or indulge in another round.
7. Green Halloween Lychee Gin Cocktail
I love a good fun Halloween cocktail and this recipe is full of holiday spirit.
It’s a vibrant neon green with a tantalizing mix of lychee syrup, elderflower liqueur, and gin.
What’s even better is the garnish that cleverly uses fruit to look like scary, bloodshot eyeballs.
You’ll need a few drops of food coloring and lychee eyeball garnishes for the full effect. If you’re using fresh lychees, be sure to remove the pit.
8. Lychee Clementine Cocktail
Lychees and clementines are another great duo. Fresh clementine juice and ginger add an invigorating kick that goes perfectly with the lychee juice.
But this cocktail doesn’t stop there. It’s also got a splash of apple cider, vodka, and a hint of lemon.
These dazzling concoctions will be all the rage at your next bash. They’re bright and citrusy, pairing well with a range of festivities.
9. Lavender Lychee Collins Cocktail
This is what craft cocktails are all about! This recipe uses the finest ingredients featuring quality gin, lavender simple syrup, and fresh lychee.
Add a splash of lemon juice and soda water to pull it all together. You’ll want to serve this in a tall glass with ice.
Whether you’re toasting at a celebration or catching up with an old friend, this is one recipe you’ll want to add to the books.
10. Raspberry Lychee Fizz
Last, but nowhere least, is this rejuvenating fizz. I say rejuvenating because this will breathe new life into your day.
Lychees and raspberries pack this cocktail with juicy fruity flavors. This gets even better with a splash of rose water and sparkling water.
This is great as is if you want a mocktail, or booze it up a bit with a splash of gin, white rum, or vodka.
I think a clear hard liquor or hard sparkling water is the way to go for this combination of flavors.
Fruity fizzes such as this are a great way to cool down while also quelling your thirst.
I don’t see the quantities of various ingredients.
Did I miss something?
Hi, Eileen! Simply click on the links (the recipe title by the numbers) for each one, and it will take you to the actual recipe. 🙂