The 10 Best Litchy Cocktails You Need To Try

The lychee (or litchi) has evolved from a 1990s "tini" trend into a sophisticated staple of modern mixology. Known for its delicate floral notes and pear-like sweetness, it pairs exceptionally well with everything from sharp gins to smoky mezcals.

Here are the 10 best lychee cocktails you need to try in 2026, ranging from timeless classics to contemporary tropical twists.

Litchy Cocktails You Need To Try

1. The Classic Lychee Martini

The gold standard. Born in the 1990s Asian-fusion scene in New York City, this drink is the reason lychee became a bar essential.

• The Profile: Crisp, floral, and elegantly sweet.
• Key Ingredients: Vodka, lychee liqueur (like Sohho or Kwai Feh), and a splash of syrup from the lychee tin.
• Pro Tip: Use a high-quality, potato-based vodka for a creamier mouthfeel that complements the fruit’s texture.

2. Lychee & Elderflower Spritz

As "low-ABV" drinks continue to dominate 2026 trends, this spritz offers a refreshing, bubbly alternative to the heavy martini.

• The Profile: Light, effervescent, and botanical.
• Key Ingredients: Prosecco, elderflower liqueur (St-Germain), lychee juice, and soda water.
• Why it works: The musky sweetness of the elderflower mirrors the floral notes of the lychee perfectly.

3. The Smoky Lychee Margarita

A modern favorite for those who find standard fruit cocktails too sweet. The earthiness of agave provides a necessary "edge."

• The Profile: Sweet, tart, and intensely smoky.
• Key Ingredients: Mezcal, Cointreau, lime juice, and fresh muddled lychees.
• Garnish: A salt or Tajín rim to balance the floral sugars.

4. Lychee Gin Gimlet

Gin’s botanical profile – juniper, coriander, and citrus – elevates lychee from a simple fruit to a complex aromatic experience.

• The Profile: Sharp, zesty, and sophisticated.
• Key Ingredients: Dry Gin, lime juice, and lychee syrup.
• Try This: Use a blue-hued gin (like Empress 1908) to create a stunning lavender-colored cocktail that changes hue when the lime hits.

5. The "Red Lotus" (Lychee & Cranberry)

A vibrant, visually striking drink that is a popular "party pour" due to its easy-drinking nature.

• The Profile: Tart and berry-forward.
• Key Ingredients: Vodka, lychee liqueur, and cranberry juice.
• Structure: Usually built over ice in a double rocks glass rather than shaken and strained.

6. Lychee Mojito

The classic Cuban highball gets an Eastern makeover. Lychee replaces the traditional sugar to provide a more nuanced sweetness.

• The Profile: Herbaceous and cooling.
• Key Ingredients: White rum, fresh mint, lime, soda water, and whole lychees muddled at the base.
• The Secret: Muddle the mint gently; you want the aroma, not the bitter chlorophyll.

7. Sake-Lychee Blossom

A tribute to the cocktail's Asian roots, this replaces high-proof spirits with Japanese rice wine.

• The Profile: Soft, silky, and refined.
• Key Ingredients: Junmai Ginjo Sake, lychee puree, and a dash of rose water.
• Pro Tip: Use an unfiltered Nigori sake if you prefer a "cloudy" cocktail with a thicker, richer texture.

8. China Blue

A vintage tropical classic that remains a favorite for its stunning oceanic color.

• The Profile: Tropical, citrusy, and sweet.
• Key Ingredients: Lychee liqueur, Blue Curaçao, and grapefruit juice.
• Why it works: The bitterness of the grapefruit juice prevents the liqueurs from becoming cloying.

9. Lychee French 75

An upscale brunch favorite that adds a layer of exotic fruit to the traditional gin-and-Champagne pairing.

• The Profile: High-acid, celebratory, and dry.
• Key Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, lychee syrup, and topped with dry Champagne or Cava.
• Presentation: Serve in a chilled flute with a single lychee at the bottom.

10. The Lychee Storm (Dark & Stormy Twist)

For those who prefer "dark" spirits, this cocktail proves that lychee isn't just for vodka.

• The Profile: Spicy, moody, and deep.
• Key Ingredients: Dark/Spiced rum, ginger beer, lime, and lychee liqueur.
• The Kick: The spice of the ginger beer cuts right through the lychee's perfume, making it a great "transition" drink from afternoon to evening.

Summing Up

The secret to a great lychee cocktail lies in balance. Because the fruit is naturally high in sugar and carries a potent floral aroma, it requires acidity (lime, lemon, or grapefruit) or bitterness (gin, mezcal, or tonic) to keep it refreshing.

Whether you are shaking up a spirit-forward martini or building a long, bubbly spritz, always prioritize fresh garnishes; the visual of a peeled lychee is as much a part of the experience as the flavor itself.