Passion Fruit Lychee Martinis

Passion Fruit Lychee Martini

The other night, I had the pleasure of dining with a couple of girls who are very, very special to me.  If God or the Universe (or whatever you believe) had never created these ladies, you would not be reading this blog.  We had dinner at an amazing little Thai restaurant, and talked until they were turning off the lights.

I love Southern California and its plethora of ethnic cuisine, and one of the girls recommended that I try a lychee martini.  It was one of the most delicious things I've ever tasted.  So, of course, I couldn't wait to get home and make my own version of the cocktail.

Now, the easiest way to make this is to use CANNED lychee (or litchi its sometimes spelled).  It's a small, Asian, red fruit that resembles a hard strawberry.  It peels like an avocado and has a white, juicy flesh with a hard pit inside.  It tastes like a cross between a peach and mango.  I found fresh lychee at Vons, but I'm sure if you looked at an Asian market or a specialty store, the canned version would be easy to find.

For the rest of the ingredients, I used new a new passion fruit vodka that's just hit the shelves from Smirnoff.  I guess when you're as passionate about what you do as these ladies are, passion fruit only seems appropriate.

Next, I added some of MY favorite wine, Risata Moscato d'Asti.  This is a slightly bubbly, extremely sweet, low-alcohol dessert wine.  It's available at Target and Costco, and Wal-Mart has a similar brand that's half the price and just as good (Bella Bollé Moscato d'Asti).  For both brands, look for an electric blue bottle.

Ladies, if you're reading this, I can't tell you how grateful I am for all that you do (these ladies work their TAILS off), and I'm sipping this fruity, delicious, one-of-a-kind cocktail while thinking of you.  ENJOY!

Passion Fruit Lychee Martinis

Peeled, Pitted Lychee for garnish

Prep Time: 10 minutes / Cook Time: 0 minutes / Servings: 2 martinis

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. fresh lychee (or 1 can of canned lychee in juice or syrup)
• 3 oz. Smirnoff Passion Fruit Vodka
• 3oz. Risata Moscato d'Asti

Steps:

1. If you're using FRESH lychee: Using a serrated knife, cut into the fruit until you reach the hard pit in the center. Cut in half by running the knife lengthwise around the fruit.  Peel off the skin, remove and discard the pit.  Repeat with the other lychee.  Reserve four halves for garnish.  (If you have a pitting machine, you can just peel the fruit and remove the pits, save 2 whole lychee for garnish). 
2. Fill a large martini shaker about 1/3 of the way with crushed ice. 
3. Add vodka and wine.
4. Using a lime juicer, squeeze the juice from about 6 lychee and add to the mixture (about 2 oz. of juice).  If you're using canned lychee, add 2 oz. of juice from the can.
5. Place the top on the martini shaker and shake or stir (I prefer "shaken, not stirred") until ingredients are combined.
6. Pour into martini glasses.  Garnish by placing two pieces of fresh fruit onto a toothpick or drink skewer.  Serve immediately.