Exotic and Easy Lychee Mocktail Recipe

This exotic and easy lychee mocktail is bursting with floral and fruity flavors, made with minimal effort. A perfect non-alcoholic drink for any occasion.

With growing awareness of exotic fruit, lychee cocktails and mocktails have been gaining popularity across restaurants — and are now making their way into home bars. They are known for their subtle sweetness and unique fruity flavor that is somewhat between a rose and a watermelon, and they couldn't be easier to incorporate into your drinks for a subtle floral touch. 

Lychees are an excellent choice for creating a wide variety of mocktails due to their rosy color, delicate aroma and lingering aftertaste. In this cocktail, we pair lychee with ginger and lemon for a refreshing floral virgin lychee martini with a slight spicy kick.

If you are a fan of delicate mocktails or just looking for new ways to use lychee in your recipes, this delicious martini mocktail will surely become a staple. This mocktail recipe captures the aromatic essence and flavor of lychee fruit in a fancy drink that couldn't be easier to make.

What is a Lychee mocktail?

A Lychee mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink made from lychee fruit. The fruit is native to China and India, and it tastes like something between watermelon and rose. A lychee mocktail usually combines sweet lychee flavor with other ingredients like simple syrup, lemon juice, and sometimes canned lychee for added convenience. This alcohol-free beverage is perfect for any occasion and can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.

Where can I find lychee or canned lychee for my mocktail?

Lychee fruit and canned lychee can be found in most Asian markets or in the international section of larger grocery stores. Canned lychee is a great alternative if you can't find fresh lychee in your area. It retains most of the fruit's unique flavor and texture.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

There's nothing best than winding down or enjoying a quiet afternoon than with a glass of this mocktail, made with sweet lychee fruit. Here's why we think you need to make this drink:

• One of the main reasons to fall in love with this martini mocktail is how easy it is to make. Just a few simple steps and ingredients are necessary to create this simple recipe, allowing you to whip up a batch in no time.
• This lychee mocktail is perfect for those who crave a refreshing drink during the hot summer months. Not only does serving this chilled mocktail offer a much-needed cooling effect, but its delicate and fragrant flavor profile makes you feel refreshed. 
• As a non-alcoholic alternative, this lychee martini caters to a wider audience, making it ideal to serve to your family at a get-together where guests of all ages and preferences can enjoy the beverage. The fruity nature of the recipe allows it to pair well with a wide range of appetizers and snacks, offering versatility and options for hosts and guests alike. I like it with Thai and Asian starters like spring rolls, or a light dessert like mango cheesecake.

Ingredients

Making a delicious and refreshing lychee martini mocktail is simple and enjoyable, using a mix of pantry and fresh ingredients to achieve an amazing non-alcoholic beverage. This is what I use to make this lychee drink:

• Fresh or Canned Lychees: Using fresh lychees is always a better option for a natural and sweet taste. However, if fresh lychees are unavailable, canned lychee can be used as an alternative. 
• Lychee Juice and Lychee Syrup: Incorporating the lychee juice from a can of lychees adds a delicate and exotic touch to the mocktail. Storebought lychee syrup can be used instead if you'd like a more pronounced and sweet taste.
• Lemon: Lemon adds a mild and tangy citrus flavor that complements the sweetness of the lychees, providing more complexity to the mocktail. Please use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best taste possible. Lime can also be used instead for a sharper flavor. The lemon peel is used as a garnish, as well.
• Ginger: Ginger is incorporated into the drink for a spicy kick, adding depth and a unique twist to the mocktail. 
• Sugar (optional): If additional sweetness is desired, a small amount of sugar can be added to the drink, but keep in mind that the lychees are already naturally sweet.

Instructions

To make a delicious and refreshing virgin lychee martini, follow these simple steps:

Make Ginger Extract

To create your ginger extract, take a 1-inch piece of ginger and blend it with 2 tablespoons of water until it's completely broken down. Use a fine mesh strainer to filter out the pulp, collecting the extract in a jar. You can adjust the amount of water if necessary. Store the jar in the fridge to keep the extract fresh.

Blend the mocktail base

Before you assemble and combine your mocktail, place your martini glass in the freezer to chill. Open a can of lychees, reserving 1 tablespoon of syrup for the mocktail. Add pieces of lychee, the reserved syrup, the juice of one lemon, and your chilled ginger extract into the blender. Blend until you have a smooth consistency.

Shake the cocktail

Transfer the mocktail base from the blender into a shaker cup with ice. Seal the lid and shake vigorously until the shaker cup feels cold, which should take about 30 seconds.

Serving in martini glass

Remove your martini glass from the freezer. Using both a bar strainer and a fine mesh, pour the shaken mocktail into the chilled glass. Adjust the amount of mocktail to the size of the glass.

Garnish and Serve

Garnish with a piece of lychee on a cocktail pick. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Make ahead

For a larger gathering, prepare your non alcoholic lychee martini in a pitcher to easily serve multiple guests. You can make it ahead of time, ensuring that the drink has plenty of time to cool and settle before serving. Just make sure you shake or stir it vigorously again before pouring for guests.

Variations

We happen to think that this ginger lychee mocktail is perfect just as it is. If you're someone who just can't leave a perfect mocktail alone, then we do have some ideas for blending with other flavors such as elderflower, pink grapefruit, or lemon-lime soda.

Some popular examples include:

• Lychee Mojito Mocktail: A refreshing blend of lychee, mint, and lime juice that's perfect for summer.
• Creamy Coconut, Lime & Lychee Mocktail: A blend of lychee, light coconut milk, and lime juice for a creamy and tropical twist.

By experimenting with different combinations, you can create different zero proof lychee mocktails for enjoying with friends and family. The best part is that preparing any lychee drink is incredibly easy and can be whipped up in just minutes.

How can I add tartness to my non-alcoholic lychee martini?

To add tartness to your lychee martini, simply include more lemon juice or lime juice in the recipe. These citrus flavors complement the sweetness of lychee and add a refreshing zing to the beverage.

Is a Lychee mocktail suitable for kids?

Absolutely! Lychee mocktails are alcohol-free and make for an enjoyable, fruity drink that kids can safely consume. Just be mindful of any potential allergies or sensitivities to the fruit or other ingredients in the recipe.

Recipe