The lychee fruit has been heralded as a super food and because of this, the Lychee Martini, is a super martini! The lychee is a tropical plant that's native to parts of China, India, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines. The fruit may not be the most attractive fruit since it kind of resembles a bumpy strawberry but the taste of the fruit far exceeds its appearance. A lychee fruit tastes like a cross between a strawberry, a grape, and a watermelon. It's sweet and juicy.
You can certainly make this martini by using fresh lychees but if you're like me and need instant gratification, a 20 oz can of lychees works perfectly. I empty the can of lychees and juice into a storage container and store them in the fridge for about 2 weeks. Even if the lychee begins to brown, the fruit still tastes delicious.
Ingredients
6 oz (3/4 cup) Vodka (I prefer Tito's)
1.5 oz (3T) Cointreau or 1.5 oz (3T) St. Germaine (I love adding a little of both)
Lychee juice to taste
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add vodka, Cointreau and/or St. Germaine, and lychee juice. Shake until chilled. Pour into 2 martini or coupe glasses and garnish with lychees. Cheers!
Sometimes I use a martini glass and other times a coupe glass. Regardless of the stemware, the Lychee Martini is sure to please the martini lover in all of us.
Do you have a favorite martini? Share in the comments.