Vodka or gin: which is better for making lychee martinis?

As the weather warms, it’s time to prepare refreshing summer drinks, and making a tropical martini is certainly the perfect way to beat the summer heat. If you prefer the rich flavor of lychee, you might have a hard time deciding whether gin or vodka pairs better with this dish. To find the best lychee martini recipe, Daily Food interviewed Nicholas Dukes, a bartender at Pechanga Resort Casino.
“Gin pairs beautifully with lychee in cocktails because it brings out the vegetal and floral notes of the lychee,” says Dukes. “Think about it: the aromatic acidity of the gin complements the herbaceous notes of the juniper in the gin.” A classic gin martini recipe calls for 76ml of gin and a splash of dry vermouth to taste. To make a lychee martini, you can use a 1:1 ratio of gin to lychee liqueur, or add lychee juice to an existing gin martini recipe. Try adding 30ml of canned lychee juice, then adjust the amount to your taste.
Adding lychee to cocktails is one of 14 ways to enjoy this vegetable. Besides martinis, Dukes also recommends: “Try adding lychee simple syrup to a traditional gin and tonic along with a squeeze of cucumber and lime for a refreshing and rich summer drink reminiscent of relaxing moments at the spa.”
Don’t like gin? No problem. Bartender Nicholas Dukes assures us that vodka and lychee are also a perfect pairing. “Vodka is a neutral grain spirit that’s easier to mix,” explains Dukes. “Its flavor is more easily masked by the sweet aromas of pear, citrus, and subtle strawberry notes in lychee, which better accentuate the spirit.”
Dukes recommends a modified version of the lemon martini: a vodka-lychee martini. “By mixing lychee with vodka, orange liqueur, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, you can create a flavorful and visually appealing martini.” If you already know how to make martinis at home, all you need to do is buy a few jars of lychee to get ready for summer. If you don’t have any bar supplies yet, you can easily purchase a kit on Amazon and start mastering your home bartending skills.