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Enjoy the Elderflower-Lychee Martini: a tropical, floral cocktail with lychee fruit, elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, and more. Perfect for special occasions!

Let me tell you about the first time I tasted fresh lychee. It was back in 2022 during a visit to our good friends, Brad and Rebecca, in Oahu, Hawaii. They were kind enough to host us for a whole week, letting us crash in their guest bedroom and giving us the grand tour from a “locals” perspective—a real treat! We hit up all the big attractions, including Pearl Harbor, where my grandfather's ship went down during World War II. Seeing it in person for the first time was a surreal, goosebumps moment.
But it wasn't all about the tourist traps. We got to do some off-the-beaten-path stuff too, like checking out hidden private beaches and, my personal favorite, local grocery stores. Now, I know what you're thinking—grocery stores? Really? But there's something thrilling about exploring the aisles and seeing what's on the shelves in different parts of the country. It's like a treasure hunt for foodies!
It was in one of those grocery stores that we stumbled upon fresh, ripe lychee and rambutan. We grabbed bags of each and munched on them all week. Let me tell you, biting into that lychee fruit was like a revelation—this exotic, fruity-floral burst of flavor that I'd never experienced before. I was instantly hooked. It’s amazing how something as simple as a piece of fruit can create such a vivid, lasting memory.
Now, I mentioned rambutan, and there's a good reason for that. You see, lychee and rambutan are like distant cousins in the fruit world—both offering that sweet, exotic flavor, but with some key differences in appearance and taste that make each one unique.

Let’s start with lychee. These little gems have a rough, bumpy red skin that's easy to peel off, revealing a translucent, juicy fruit inside. The flavor of lychee? It's like a floral explosion with a hint of rose and a touch of pear and grape—delicate and sweet, just pure bliss.
Rambutan, on the other hand, looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Its hairy, spiky red shell might seem intimidating at first, but once you crack it open, you'll find a pearly white fruit similar to lychee in both texture and taste. Rambutan has a slightly more acidic bite, with a hint of tartness that complements its sweetness beautifully.
While they both offer a juicy, tropical delight, lychee leans more towards the delicate floral side, whereas rambutan brings a playful tart twist to the table. Enjoying both during our Hawaiian adventure was like discovering two sides of the same delicious coin, each with its own charm and allure.
Now, let me share a recipe that captures the magic of that first lychee taste: the Elderflower-Lychee Martini. This cocktail is a celebration in a glass, perfect for reminiscing about warm Hawaiian evenings. Whether you’re mixing up lychee cocktails for a special occasion or just because it’s the summer season, this martini is sure to impress.

Ingredients for Elderflower-Lychee Martini:
- Ketel One Vodka
- Violet Crown elderflower liqueur or St. Germaine
- Soho Lychee Liqueur or Lychee Soju
- Lychee juice
- Simple syrup (optional)
- Fresh lime juice
- Fresh Lychees (peeled and seeded) or this canned variety
Equipment Needed for Elderflower-Lychee Martini:
- Large pitcher
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- Martini or coupe glasses
- Knife (for peeling and seeding lychees)
- Ice cubes
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How to Make an Elderflower-Lychee Martini
Serves 8
Cocktail Ingredients:
- 8 oz Ketel One Vodka: Because every good party starts with a solid foundation, and Ketel One is as sturdy as they come.
- 8 oz Violet Crown elderflower liqueur or St. Germaine: Think of this as the fairy dust that adds a touch of magic to our martini. You may substitute with St. Germain's but you won't get the pretty blush color. I like St. Germain's just fine, however, I prefer the flavor of Violet Crown.
- 8 oz Lychee Liqueur, Lychee Soju, or Lychee Sake: This brings that nostalgic, sweet lychee flavor into the mix.
- 4 oz lychee juice: Waste not, want not – if you're using canned lychee for the garnish, use the juice/syrup from the can! The juice adds an extra layer of lychee goodness. For a more intense lychee flavor, you can puree the whole can of lychee with the juice and about a ½ cup of water in a blender and strain through a fine mesh sieve for a more flavorful lychee juice.
- 4 oz simple syrup (optional): If you have a sweet tooth like mine, this will make your drink as sweet as your first summer love.
- 4 oz fresh lime juice: Because every great story needs a bit of tartness to keep things interesting.
Garnish:
- 16 lychees, peeled and seeded, fresh or this canned variety: These little gems are like the cherry on top but way more exotic and fun. You may use canned lychees, but fresh is by far my preference. Rambutan can be used for garnish in place of lychee if you can find them and not lychee.
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve. This is the part where anticipation builds. Like waiting for Grandma’s pie to cool, the wait makes it all the sweeter.
- When ready to serve, pour desired amount into an ice-filled shaker and shake until well chilled. Feel free to channel your inner bartender here. A little shake dance never hurt anyone.
- Strain into classic martini glasses or chilled cocktail glasses. The moment of truth. Watch that blush nectar fill the glass!
- Garnish with 2 lychees per glass. Presentation is everything and these lychees are the edible jewels that make our martini sparkle.
Anytime I indulge in one of my favorite martini creations – the Elderflower-Lychee Martini, I'm suddenly transported to those exotic Hawaiian breezes and memories of sunset dinners with dear friends. It’s like a mini-vacation in a glass.

Sharing this drink with friends makes it even better. There’s something about clinking glasses and swapping stories that turns an ordinary evening into a cherished memory. It’s the kind of drink that makes you want to linger just a little longer, savor each sip a little more, and maybe, just maybe, have one more.
And don’t worry if you have some leftover lychee martini; it’s just as delightful the next day.
So next time you’re in the mood for a drink that’s as comforting as a hug from an old friend and as exciting as a new adventure, give the Elderflower-Lychee Martini a try. Here’s to good times, great friends, and the perfect cocktail to bring it all together. Cheers!
More Tropical Cocktail Recipes
Please let me know how this intoxicating Martini turns out for you in the comments! I love hearing from you!
Elderflower Lychee Martini
Ingredients
Cocktail Ingredients:
- 8 oz Ketel One Vodka
- 8 oz Violet Crown elderflower liqueur
- 8 oz Soho Lychee Liqueur
- 4 oz lychee juice
- 4 oz simple syrup optional
- 4 oz lime juice
Garnish:
- 16 lychees peeled and seeded
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, pour desired amount into an ice-filled shaker and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into martini or coupe glasses.
- Garnish with 2 lychee per glass.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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