Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place your martini or coupe glass in the freezer to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the lychee syrup, vodka, elderflower liqueur, and a pinch of fine sea salt.
- Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, until the shaker feels ice-cold and slightly frosted on the outside.
- Remove the chilled glass from the freezer and strain the cocktail into it, leaving all the ice behind in the shaker.
- Skewer 2–3 lychees on a cocktail pick, rest it across the rim of the glass, and serve immediately.
Notes
No St-Germain on hand? Dry vermouth or lychee liqueur both work as substitutes, though the flavor profile shifts slightly sweeter or drier depending on which you choose.
Prefer gin? Swap the vodka for a floral or citrus-forward gin, skip the vermouth, and double the lime juice for a drier, lychee-gimlet-style variation.
This cocktail is best mixed fresh; batch the non-ice ingredients ahead in a pitcher for parties, then shake or pour over ice per serving.