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The Classic Lychee Martini Recipe (Bartender Tips Included)
Dana Whitfield

Classic Lychee Martini Recipe

A sweet, floral, and refreshing lychee martini made with vodka, canned lychee syrup, and dry vermouth — ready in just 5 minutes. Light, elegant, and perfect for any season.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 2 glasses
Course: Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 188
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • GROUP 1: For the Lychee Martini
  • Amount Unit Ingredient Notes
  • 4 oz vodka Grey Goose or Ketel One recommended
  • 2 oz canned lychee syrup from a can of whole lychees in heavy syrup
  • 1 oz dry vermouth or substitute ½ oz Grand Marnier for a smoother finish
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice or lemon juice
  • 1½ cups ice cubes use cubes only — not crushed ice
  • GROUP 2: For the Garnish
  • Amount Unit Ingredient Notes
  • 4 whole canned lychees drained for garnish (2 per glass)
  • 1 optional lime twist for a pop of color
  • 🔧 EQUIPMENT Tab: Equipment

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker At least 16 oz capacity; a mason jar with a lid works as a substitute
  • Cocktail Strainer / Hawthorne Strainer For straining ice out of the drink cleanly
  • Jigger / Measuring Tool For accurate pours — precision matters in cocktail making
  • Martini Glass or Coupe Glass Stemmed glass keeps drink cold; chill in freezer 10 min before use
  • Cocktail Pick or Toothpick For threading lychee garnish
  • Mixing Spoon Only needed if stirring instead of shaking
  • Fine-Mesh Strainer Optional — for double straining for extra clarity

Method
 

  1. GROUP 1: Prep
  2. Step 1 — Chill Your Glasses
  3. Place your martini glasses or coupe glasses in the freezer at least 10 minutes before making the cocktail. A cold glass is one of the most important tricks for a great lychee martini — it prevents immediate dilution and keeps the drink at the perfect temperature from first sip to last.
  4. Step 2 — Open and Drain the Lychees
  5. Open your can of lychees and drain the fruit into a bowl, reserving the syrup separately. Measure out 2 oz (4 tablespoons) of lychee syrup. Set 4 whole lychees aside for garnishing the glasses.
  6. GROUP 2: Mix the Cocktail
  7. Step 3 — Add Ingredients to the Shaker
  8. Pour the vodka, lychee syrup, dry vermouth, and lime juice directly into your cocktail shaker before adding ice. Adding liquids first prevents splashing and ensures even mixing.
  9. Step 4 — Fill with Ice
  10. Pack the cocktail shaker tightly with ice cubes. The ice should fill the shaker with minimal room to rattle around — this prevents excess fragmentation and controls dilution.
  11. Step 5 — Shake or Stir
  12. To shake: Close the shaker and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold and frosty. Shaking gives a slightly frothier, more casual result.
  13. To stir (classic martini method): Combine ingredients in a mixing glass over ice and stir gently for 20–30 seconds. Stirring keeps the drink crystal-clear and more spirit-forward.
  14. GROUP 3: Strain and Garnish
  15. Step 6 — Strain into Chilled Glasses
  16. Remove your glasses from the freezer. Using a cocktail strainer, strain the drink evenly into the two chilled martini or coupe glasses. Pour slowly and steadily for a clean, clear result.
  17. Step 7 — Garnish with Lychees
  18. Thread 2 whole lychees onto a cocktail pick or toothpick per glass. Rest the pick across the rim of the glass or drop it directly into the drink. Optionally, add a lime twist for a splash of color.
  19. Step 8 — Serve Immediately
  20. Serve the lychee martini right away while it is ice-cold. The lychee fruit garnish will gently soak up the cocktail as it sits and makes a delicious, boozy bite at the end of the drink.

Notes

Ice cubes only — never crushed ice. Crushed ice melts faster and waters down your cocktail significantly. Chill your glasses in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before serving. This single step makes a noticeable difference. No cocktail shaker? Use a mason jar or any bottle with a tight-fitting lid and shake it the same way. Want it stronger and more floral? Soak your canned lychees submerged in vodka or gin in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for 2 days. Use this infused spirit in place of regular vodka. Prefer gin? Use a floral or citrus-forward gin (Hendrick's, Bombay Sapphire) instead of vodka. Avoid juniper-heavy London Dry styles. Grand Marnier swap: Replace the dry vermouth with 1 oz of Grand Marnier for a smoother, orange-tinged version. Sparkling version: Top the finished drink with a small splash of soda water or lemon-lime soda for a fizzy lychee martini. Make ahead: Combine all liquid ingredients (no ice) in a sealed pitcher. Refrigerate up to 2 days. Shake over ice per glass when ready to serve. Nobu copycat version: Use lychee juice (not syrup), replace vermouth with ½ oz dry sake, add a splash of lychee liqueur (Kwai Feh), and skip the citrus entirely. Double-strain into a coupe glass.

NUTRITION

Values are per serving (1 glass).
Nutrient Amount Per Serving Calories 188 kcal Carbohydrates 12 g Sugar 11 g Protein 0 g Fat 0 g Saturated Fat 0 g Sodium 5 mg Potassium 25 mg Fiber 0 g Vitamin C 4 mg Calcium 2 mg Iron 0 mg Alcohol ~14 g (approx. 20% ABV final) Nutrition is estimated based on 2 oz vodka, 1 oz lychee syrup, ½ oz dry vermouth, and 1 tbsp lime juice per serving.
Values will vary based on brand of vodka and exact syrup sweetness.