Easy Lychee Mocktail

Here’s my go-to lychee mocktail recipe, with a simple mix of fresh lychee juice, lime, a hint of mint, and sparkling water that makes it extra refreshing.

This mocktail has become my summer party favorite – especially when friends bring their kids over for backyard gatherings. I always make a big pitcher because everyone seems to want seconds. And honestly, who doesn’t love a good mocktail on a warm afternoon?

What Kind of Lychees Should I Use?

For this mocktail, canned lychees are actually the perfect choice since they come packed in sweet syrup that adds extra flavor to your drink. Fresh lychees can be tricky to find unless you have access to Asian markets, and they’re only in season for a short time during summer. When buying canned lychees, look for ones packed in syrup rather than water – the syrup adds a natural sweetness that works great in drinks. Just make sure to drain them well before using, but save that syrup! You can add a splash of the lychee syrup to adjust the sweetness of your mocktail to taste.

Options for Substitutions

This refreshing mocktail can be customized with several easy swaps:

• Canned lychees: If you can’t find canned lychees, try using fresh ones when in season. As another option, you could use canned rambutans or longan fruit. For a completely different but still nice twist, try using 4-5 pieces of canned peaches.
• Elderflower syrup: No elderflower syrup? Try using rose syrup for a similar floral note, or simple syrup mixed with a splash of lemon juice. You could also use honey syrup (mix equal parts honey and warm water).
• Fresh mint leaves: While fresh mint adds a lovely cooling effect, you could use fresh basil for an interesting twist. If you don’t have fresh herbs, skip them altogether – the drink will still taste good!
• Sparkling water: Any carbonated water works here – club soda, seltzer, or even ginger ale for extra sweetness. For a non-carbonated version, try coconut water or white grape juice mixed with a splash of regular water.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making a lychee mocktail is getting the balance of sweetness right – using too much lychee syrup can make your drink overly sweet, so start with just 2-3 tablespoons of the canned syrup and adjust to taste.

A common mistake is not properly muddling the mint leaves, which prevents them from releasing their essential oils – gently press and twist the leaves with a muddler or wooden spoon until you can smell their fragrance, but avoid over-muddling which can make the mint taste bitter.

To keep your mocktail perfectly fizzy, add the sparkling water last and don’t stir too vigorously – a gentle stir will help preserve the bubbles while still mixing the ingredients.

For the best presentation and taste, strain the mixture before serving to remove any mint pieces or lychee pulp that might make drinking less enjoyable.

What to Serve With Lychee Mocktails?

These refreshing lychee mocktails pair perfectly with light appetizers and Asian-inspired snacks. Try serving them alongside some crispy spring rolls, sweet-and-sour chicken skewers, or a plate of fresh sushi rolls. Since the drink is sweet and floral, it also goes really well with salty snacks like wasabi peas or seasoned rice crackers. If you’re hosting a party, set up a small appetizer station with mixed nuts, fresh fruit slices, and some coconut-based desserts to complement the tropical vibe of the mocktails.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once you’ve mixed your lychee mocktail, it’s best to enjoy it right away while the sparkling water is still fizzy. If you want to serve it later, you can keep the lychee-elderflower mixture (without the sparkling water) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Prep Ahead: Want to get a head start on your mocktails? You can muddle the lychees, elderflower syrup, and mint leaves up to a day in advance. Store this mixture in the fridge, then just add fresh sparkling water when you’re ready to serve. This makes entertaining so much easier!

Serve: For the best taste and maximum fizz, add the sparkling water just before serving. Give it a gentle stir to combine all the flavors without losing too much carbonation. If you’ve prepped the base mixture ahead, just pour it over ice and top with fresh sparkling water.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 150-200
• Protein: 0-1 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38-45 g

Ingredients

• 8 canned lychees (in syrup)
• 1 tablespoon elderflower syrup
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
• Sparkling water

Step 1: Blend the Ingredients

Begin by adding the lychee, about a tablespoon of syrup from the can, elderflower cordial, and some mint leaves to a blender.

Blend the ingredients until they form a smooth puree.

Step 2: Strain the Puree

Place a sieve over a bowl.

Pour the lychee puree into the sieve and use the back of a spoon to press the mixture through the sieve.

This will separate the juice from the pulp, leaving you with a smooth lychee juice.

Discard any solids left in the sieve.

Step 3: Assemble the Drinks

Carefully pour the lychee juice from the bowl evenly into your serving glasses.

Add ice cubes to each glass for a refreshing chill, then top with sparkling water.

Gently stir to mix the layers.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Add a mint sprig to each glass as a garnish for a touch of freshness and aroma.

Serve the drinks immediately to enjoy their vibrant flavors at their best.