Lychee Passionfruit Martini
This tropical, elegant martini shakes together vodka, lychee juice, frozen passionfruit pulp, and Cointreau for a cocktail that's fruity, floral, and perfectly balanced with a hint of fresh lime. Rimmed with flaky sea salt and garnished with whole lychees, it looks and tastes like something straight off a rooftop bar menu!
Equipment
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Martini glass
- Cocktail pick
Ingredients
For the Martini:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz lychee juice, from a can of lychees
- 1 oz frozen passionfruit pulp, thawed
- ½ oz Cointreau or triple sec
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ oz lychee simple syrup, see notes
- 2 whole lychees from the can, for garnish
- Ice
For the Lychee Simple Syrup:
- ¼ cup lychee juice from the can
- ¼ cup sugar
For the Rim:
- Flaky sea salt, for rimming
- Honey or lime wedge, for rimming
Instructions
- Make the lychee simple syrup first. Combine the lychee juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Chill a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes. Run a lime wedge around the rim or brush a dab of honey, and dip lightly into flaky sea salt for a subtle, elegant rim.
- Add the vodka, lychee juice, passionfruit pulp, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and lychee simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 20–25 seconds.
- Double strain through a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled coupe or martini glass. Thread two whole lychees onto a cocktail pick and lay across the rim of the glass. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Double straining through a fine-mesh strainer is essential, it catches the passionfruit seeds and any ice shards for a perfectly smooth, clean pour.
- Chill the glass ahead of time. A warm glass will cause the cocktail to lose its crisp, cold bite within minutes.
- The lychee simple syrup recipe makes more than you need for one drink. Store the extra in the fridge for up to two weeks and use it in future rounds.
- Use only a light touch on the salt rim. This is a delicate, floral cocktail and a heavy rim will overpower the lychee and passionfruit.
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