Sarah Simmsrecipes

The Lychee Martini

Sarah Simmsrecipes



For my 100th blog post I felt a proper toast to myself was appropriate...did I actually start a blog and post regularly? Rather shocking really...this blog has become the outlet that I never knew I needed.

Cheers!  ...with my current favorite cocktail...the lychee martini. There are plenty of variations when it comes to this recipe but I assure you, mine is the best.

Before we get any further, let me share with you the proper pronunciation. Experts usually say “lye-chee” rather than “lee-chee,” favoring the Cantonese over the Mandarin pronunciation, but either is correct. Personally, I've used both pronunciations because I can't decide which one I prefer. Odd, I know.


The secret ingredient for this wonder concoction is Hana Lychee Flavored Sake. I buy this sake directly from the Takara Sake online store at the glorious case price of $113.40 ($9.45 per 750 ml bottle). I first discovered this inexpensive and delicious sake while staying at Hotel Max in downtown Seattle; there was this small Japanese restaurant just next door called Red Fin and after a long dinner I found myself headed back up to my hotel room with a bottle of Hana Lychee Sake tucked under my arm. It was love.

Experimentation with lychee martinis began shortly thereafter.

First, get yourself a classy (and chilled) martini glass because martinis taste better in pretty glassware. Second, grab a martini shaker and add the following ingredients:

2 oz Ketel One Vodka (or your vodka of choice)
1.5 oz Hana Lychee Flavored Sake
Heavy Dash of Canned Lychee syrup
Squeeze of Fresh Lemon
Ice

Shake all ingredients. Strain and Serve up. Drop one lychee in the bottom of the glass for garnish. You can also add a sugared rim to the glass if you like your martinis extra sweet or a fresh mint sprig to freshen up your martini.

Make these martinis when you are entertaining guests and they will go nuts over how delicious they are. There is something about the delicate floral aroma of the lychees and the understated sweetness of the sake that makes these super addictive and amazing.