Tomorrow is World Gin Day and as I am a fan of gin (as in gin & tonics, which I like to add a splash of St Germaine Elderflower liqueur to), I decided to share a gin cocktail today. Gin is distilled from juniper berries, giving it a smooth, sweet, and subtle flavor. In this martini, it is the perfect backdrop for highlighting lychee fruit.

The tropical fruit of an evergreen tree from Asia, lychee has a unique appearance and flavor. Also known as “alligator strawberry” due to its bumpy red skin, lychees are small and round fruits, about 2 inches in diameter. The opaque white flesh beneath the skin is similar in texture to a grape, contains a single inedible brown seed, and is floral and sweet in taste. Lychee is grown in the US in Florida and Hawaii.

In this cocktail, a single canned lychee adorns the gin martini and the syrup from the can sweetens it. Tropical, simple, and delicious, this cocktail is perfect for World Gin Day!

Lychee Martini

Lychee Martini (adapted from marthastewart.com) Time Required: 5 minutes, Makes: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 whole canned lychees
• 1/2 cup drained lychee syrup
• 1/2 cup gin

Directions:

Place 1 lychee in each of two martini glasses. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin and reserved lychee syrup to the shaker.

Add a lychee to each glass and add the gin and lychee syrup to the shaker.

Shake well, until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker. Strain into the glasses.

Strain into the glasses.

Serve immediately.

Serve immediately

Cheers!  ~Linda

Lychee Martini (adapted from marthastewart.com) Time Required: 5 minutes, Makes: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 whole canned lychees
• 1/2 cup drained lychee syrup
• 1/2 cup gin

Directions:

Place 1 lychee in each of two martini glasses. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin and reserved lychee syrup to the shaker. Shake well, until condensation forms on the outside of the shaker. Strain into the glasses. Serve immediately.