Giangi's Kitchen

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Lychee Martini, so yummy! Strange to use the term yummy for a martini, however, once you try this recipe, I know you will mutter the same words.

I was first introduced to lychee martini during one of our trips to the East coast. I was able to replicate it at home by following and reading so many recipes, all with the same ingredients.

Good but not great for me and wanted to make something a bit different.

Love martini and I am very picky about how it is served. For instance, I do not like to let it sit in the ice cubes, not crushed ice, for too long. I do not care how the water dilutes the vodka. All the flavor is lost.

Straight, stirred, with fruits or not, it is one of my favorite cocktails.

I am a traditionalist, and my martini must be served in a martini glass that is thin, tall, and with a wide mouth.

What is lychee? 

Tropical fruit from the southeastern provinces of China. It has a unique appearance and flavor. A deliciously sweet fruit covered by a rough bright strawberry-red color outer rind.

Once peeled, inside you will find this almost translucent, very juicy, white flesh fruit and the seed.  A delightful flavor.

Eaten fresh, it is also canned as well as dried.

Easy to peel with your fingers, and you can start nibbling on the flesh and suck it from the internal seed.

Refreshing and find often at the end of a meal in China and throughout Asia.

Delicious when lychees are added to fruit salads.

In this recipe, I used lychee juice in place of simple syrup. If you are using fresh lychees, if you are fortunate to find them at your grocery store, then you will want to make some simple syrup to give it that sweetness.

Why Grand Marnier?

I love the smoothness of the Grand Marnier. Added with the Vodka, it brings a balance between the sweetness of the lychee syrup and the stronger flavor of the vodka.

When you sip it you will enjoy the less alcoholic taste of the vodka, but a smoother, not sweeter, drink.

Vodka or Gin?

I love both. I will always gravitate towards vodka, Grey Goose, as my first choice. If none is available, then I select Bombay Sapphire Gin.

I love how clean and smooth the flavor of each is. Use your favorite, making sure that it is not mixed with any other flavors, or it will interfere with the light flavor of the lychee.

TIPS

Although this is an extremely simple recipe, I have a couple of suggestions for you on how to make a lychee martini:

• I purchased the lychees, peeled and pitted in heavy syrup. The unused portion can store well in the refrigerator.
• If you wish for a stronger vodka taste for your lychees, take them out of their natural juice and store them for a couple of days covered with vodka or gin.  Do not overindulge.
• Use ice cubes not crushed ice when shaking all the ingredients. The ice cubes when shaken will give it that coldness you are looking for. The crushed ice will dilute your drink.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes with no room for them to move around. If the ice cubes move around too much when you shake them,  you will have ice fragments lost in your drinks, which in turn will water down your drink.
• If you have time, place your martini glasses inside the freezer for a few minutes before serving. The cold glass is always welcome but not necessary.
• The lychees fruits are delicious every way you choose to serve them in your cocktail. Either drop two in your glass prior to filling it. Or use a cocktail pick, pass them thru and either place them over the rim or inside your drink. Whatever you do, enjoy them.
• Do not have a martini shaker? Use a jar with a seal-tight top.

With all alcoholic beverages, please use in moderation and do not drink and drive.

A fantastic drink to be enjoyed now during the holiday season, as well as all year long.

More delicious recipes to try

Pomegranate Martini. Stir Or Shaken?

Mango Martini… So Much Fun

Penne Alla Vodka

Parmesan and Shallot Risotto – Yummy!

I do love what I do! Where else can you have a drink at work, and have lots of fun doing it? After all, it is 5 o’clock somewhere, right?

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