Elegant Sake Lychee Martini Recipe

A smooth mix of sake and sweet lychee gives this martini a light, refined twist that’s both modern and classic. I really enjoy how the floral notes from lychee balance the clean, crisp taste of sake—it just works.

This recipe walks you through making an elegant sake lychee martini that’s simple, balanced, and honestly pretty refreshing.

You don’t have to be a pro bartender to pull this off. Just a few ingredients and some easy steps, and suddenly you’ve got a drink that looks and tastes impressive.

I’ll break down the ingredients, equipment, and steps so you can make it without any fuss. Once you mix it, the flavor is lightly sweet, crisp, and smooth—hard not to like.

In the tasting notes, I’ll share what to expect from each sip and a little on serving it up right.

Elegant Sake Lychee Martini Recipe

This drink is a favorite of mine because it blends the floral sweetness of lychee with the clean, crisp taste of sake. The fruit and rice wine together make for a cocktail that’s light but still has plenty of flavor.

It’s honestly best served cold in a chilled martini glass—something about that just feels extra refreshing.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker with a tight lid to mix and chill the drink quickly
• Strainer to remove ice and fruit bits before pouring
• Jigger or small measuring cup for accurate proportions
• Martini glass, preferably chilled in the freezer for at least 10 minutes
• Bar spoon for stirring and layering if needed
• Small knife and cutting board for slicing fresh lychee or lemon
• Fine mesh sieve if you want a smoother texture

Cold equipment keeps the martini crisp longer. And honestly, clean tools make a difference—no one wants yesterday’s flavors sneaking in.

Ingredients

• 2 oz sake (dry or slightly sweet works best)
• 1 oz vodka for a little extra kick and smoothness
• 1 oz lychee liqueur or lychee syrup for sweetness
• 1 oz fresh lychee juice or liquid from canned lychee
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice to keep things bright
• Ice cubes for shaking
• 1 or 2 fresh lychees for garnish

If fresh lychee isn’t around, canned syrup is totally fine. It’s reliable and honestly saves some hassle.

Fresh lemon juice keeps the drink from tipping into “too sweet” territory.

Instructions

• Fill the cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
• Add sake, vodka, lychee liqueur, lychee syrup, and lemon juice.
• Shake firmly for about 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker gets nice and cold.
• Strain the mixture through a strainer into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a fresh lychee on a cocktail pick or just float one in the glass.

I usually shake just long enough to chill it but not so much that it gets watery. If you want it lighter, cut back on the vodka and bump up the sake a bit.

Notes

I’m partial to Junmai sake for its clean flavor, but a fruity sake can be great too. Drink it right away while it’s cold—waiting doesn’t do it any favors.

For a sweeter drink, add a little more lychee syrup. If you like it drier, skip the syrup and just use lychee juice.

Keep extra lychees in syrup in the fridge—they’re handy for quick garnishes or, honestly, just snacking.

Tasting Notes

The first thing I pick up on is the aroma. There’s this fresh lychee scent that mingles with the gentle, floral tones of sake.

It’s light, honestly—inviting without being too sweet or overpowering.

Taking a sip, the texture is smooth, almost silky, but still crisp enough to keep things interesting.

The sake brings a soft warmth, and the lychee? It adds this clean, fruity flavor that kind of hangs around for a bit.

What really gets me is the taste balance. The lychee’s sweetness doesn’t drown out the mellow rice notes from the sake.

Every sip just feels calm, sort of refreshing—like I could keep going back for more.

The finish is another thing I appreciate. It stays gentle and floral, nothing too bold, but it leaves behind this subtle fruit note on my tongue.

It’s the kind of drink that makes you want another sip, but never feels heavy or cloying.

For a quick summary of what I’m picking up:

• Aroma: Light lychee and floral sake
• Flavor: Mildly sweet, balanced, and refreshing
• Texture: Smooth and crisp
• Finish: Clean with a soft fruit note