You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in case you still feel the need to justify it, here are some perfectly valid excuses: It’s Spring Break! You survived 2020! This one is full of fruit, making it a Super Food! And of course there’s always the classic standard-it’s five o’clock somewhere! Even the name Mai Tai conjures images of tropical breezes, warm sunshine, and cute pool boys fetching you fruity cocktails. Throw in the exotic island taste of lychees, and my Lychee Mai Tai is practically a vacation in a glass.
The original Mai Tai (which loosely translates to-the best!) was so popular when it was introduced in the 1940’s that it is said to have depleted the world’s rum supply. My version captures that boozy spirit, and the addition of lychees transforms this into a 5 star beach resort worthy cocktail. Be forewarned, this packs a punch!
Lychees
If you’ve never tried lychees before, you are in for a treat. A little sweet and a little tart, they lend tropical flavor and a slushy texture to this Mai Tai. Luckily I have access to fresh ones grown here in South Florida, but canned ones are so easy to find year round, and also provide the syrup to sweeten this drink.
For the booze, I use both dark and light rum. I also use amaretto-Mai Tai’s traditionally have a creamy almondy flavor, as well as Cointreau. You can use different, less expensive, orange liquors. Just make sure it isn’t an orange brandy blend like Grand Marnier; we want just the sweet orange flavor of Cointreau.
Once all the booze has been added, it’s time for a squeeze of fresh lime juice. I love my citrus squeezer that allows me to juice fresh citrus directly into a glass without worrying about seeds.
Cheers!
Now that your Lychee Mai Tai is shaken, frothy, and chilled, the only thing left to do is strain it into a glass and add some festive garnishes. In a nod to tradition, I like to spear a lychee, add a mint sprig, and float a lime shell, which is supposed to symbolize a floating island. Colorful umbrellas would be at home here too. We’re going for an island, spring break vibe.
And now you are ready to sip and savor your delicious beach cocktail, no sunscreen required. Playing mixologist for a crowd? I give you directions to make a large batch of Lychee Mai Tais in the notes of the recipe. That way there’s some for you, some for your friends, and some for the cute pool boy…
Love Asian inspired cocktails? Try these Ginger Saketinis!
If you make these, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. And show off your amazing mai tai photos by tagging us on insta @funkyasiankitchen.
Lychee Mai Tai
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: beverage
- Cuisine: Pan-Asian
Ingredients
- 1 oz each dark rum and white rum
- ½ oz each amaretto and cointreau (or orange flavored liqueur like triple sec or orange curacao)
- 3 fl oz lychee juice (from 1 can of lychee fruit)
- 5 pcs lychee fruit (from 1 can of lychee fruit)
- ½ lime
- Handful of ice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup (optional if you like sweeter drinks)
- Mint for garnish
- Festive toothpicks for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the lychee fruit and lychee juice in a shaker. Use an immersion blender and blend the lychees so the mixture is smooth (you can also use a regular blender).
- Add the two rums, cointreau, and amaretto. Squeeze the lime into the shaker, saving the squeezed lime for garnish.
- Add the ice and then making sure the top is secure, shake the mixture for a couple of seconds until the drink is cold and frothy. Taste the drink and add a tablespoon of simple syrup if you think it needs it.
- Pour the Mai Tai into a glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint, and then skewer a lychee and the lime shell and float it in the glass next to the mint. Serve immediately.
Notes
* To make simple syrup put 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool to room temperature before using. You can make it ahead and store any leftovers as simple syrup lasts forever in the fridge.
*If you’re expecting a crowd, you can also make this ahead of time and store in the fridge in a pitcher:
- 3 cans of lychees
- 9 oz dark rum
- 9 oz white rum
- 4 ½ oz each cointreau and amaretto
- 4 ½ limes, plus extra wedges for garnish
- ½ cup simple syrup (optional for sweeter drinks)
- Mint for garnish
- Festive toothpicks
- Ice
- Squeeze the limes and set aside.
- Open the cans of lychees and save 10 lychees for garnish. Then put the rest of the lychees with the juice into a blender. Blend for 1 minute until smooth.
- Pour the pureed lychees into a large pitcher and add the lime juice, dark rum, white rum, cointreau, amaretto, and simple syrup (if using).
- Mix the ingredients with a large spoon. Refrigerate until ready to drink.
- You can pour the drinks over ice or serve straight from the fridge. Give the contents a quick stir before pouring.
- Garnish the drinks with a lime wedge, some mint, and extra lychees.
Keywords: drinkies, cocktail, tropical drinks, mai tai, lychee, lychee mai tai
I like the citrus squeezer you mentioned in the article.
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
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★★★★★
This is a great primer on Lychee Mai Tai. I liked how you walked through it step by step, it made the whole thing much easier to digest. Looking forward to more posts like this.
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This Lychee Mai Tai recipe is such a fun and refreshing twist on a classic cocktail. The tropical flavors are perfect for a mental escape. If you’re looking to really elevate your relaxing vibes, you should definitely check out ‘the false sun’ for some inspiring vibes.
I like it. Thank for recipes.
★★★★★
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I love the idea of using lychee as an Asian twist on a Mai Tai, especially with that frothy, creamy texture you described. This sounds like the kind of cocktail that would be fun to batch for a small party, as long as the garnish stays fresh and tropical.
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This Lychee Mai Tai looks like such a fun way to switch up a classic! I love that the lychee brings a soft floral sweetness without overpowering the rum—balance is everything in a tiki-style drink. The tip about tasting the lime before squeezing is smart too, since fruit acidity really varies. I’ll definitely be testing this out the next time I’m mixing drinks at home. Curiosity aside, do you think a splash of orgeat would push it further into almond territory, or would that clash with the lychee? Thanks for sharing such a creative and well-thought-out recipe!
This Lychee Mai Tai sounds like the perfect refreshing twist for a summer gathering! I love how you’ve balanced the tropical sweetness of the lychee with the rum base; the floral notes must be incredible. I appreciate the tip about adjusting the lime, as citrus intensity can vary. I’m definitely going to try this for my next home bar session. Have you ever tried adding a bit of coconut water to lean into the tropical vibe? Thanks for sharing this creative recipe!
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee paired with the rum—it added a nice floral sweetness without being overpowering. The balance was spot on, though I might dial back the lime a touch next time. Have you experimented with swapping the white rum for something aged?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and it was a huge hit at my backyard gathering! The lychee really adds a nice tropical twist without overpowering the rum. One question—do you think swapping the dark rum for a spiced one would work, or would it clash with the fruit?
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
The ‘floating island’ lime shell garnish really caught my attention-it’s such a fun visual touch! I love that the recipe gives a batch option for parties; mixing 3 cans of lychees with nearly a liter of rum sounds like the perfect weekend project. Though I have to wonder, does the lychee actually blend smoothly or still have some texture?
★★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and the lychee really does add a nice twist to the classic Mai Tai—the sweetness balances out the rum perfectly. Did you find that the type of lychee (fresh vs. canned) made a big difference in the final taste?
★★★★
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Great post on “Lychee Mai Tai”—clear and practical. I especially liked the point about You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in… Thanks for sharing.
Great post on “Lychee Mai Tai”—clear and practical. I especially liked the point about You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in… Thanks for sharing.
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Really enjoyed your write-up on “Lychee Mai Tai”. I especially liked the point about You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in… Very helpful and easy to follow.
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★★★★★
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You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in… Very helpful and easy to follow.
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This was a strong read on “Lychee Mai Tai”. I especially liked the point about You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in… Appreciate the actionable perspective.
Really enjoyed your write-up on “Lychee Mai Tai”. I especially liked the point about You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in… Very helpful and easy to follow.
Great post on “Lychee Mai Tai”—clear and practical. I especially liked the point about You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a refreshing cocktail, you deserve it! But just in… Thanks for sharing.
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee sweetness balanced the rum. The floral notes really complemented the traditional Mai Tai flavors without overwhelming them. Have you experimented with swapping the dark rum for a coconut rum variation?
★★★★
Great post! Very informative and easy to understand.
★★★★★
Excellent post — insightful, clear, and truly helpful. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
I really enjoyed reading this article! It made me think about new ideas. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I tried this recipe last weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how well the lychee’s sweetness balanced the rum. The floral notes really do give the classic Mai Tai a fun twist. One question: did you use fresh or canned lychee for the puree?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee pairs with the rum—it’s a nice twist on the classic. One question: did you use fresh or canned lychee for the best flavor? I used canned and it turned out great, but I’m curious if fresh changes the balance.
★★★★
This cocktail sounds amazing! I love how the flavors come together. The step by step instructions make it easy to follow. Definitely trying this for my next gathering. Do you have any tips for adjusting the sweetness?
This cocktail sounds amazing! I love how the flavors come together. The step by step instructions make it easy to follow. Definitely trying this for my next gathering. Do you have any tips for adjusting the sweetness?
This cocktail sounds amazing! I love how the flavors come together. The step by step instructions make it easy to follow. Definitely trying this for my next gathering. Do you have any tips for adjusting the sweetness?
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This lychee mai tai sounds absolutely delicious! I love how you took a classic cocktail and gave it a tropical Asian twist with lychee. The combination of dark rum, amaretto, and lychee juice is genius. I have been looking for unique cocktail recipes for a get-together next weekend and this is going to be the star of the show. Do you think fresh lychee works better than canned?
This looks fantastic! I’ve been experimenting with tropical cocktails lately, and I love how the lychee adds a floral twist to the classic Mai Tai. Do you think a splash of orgeat syrup would complement the lychee, or would it overpower it?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised how well the lychee sweetness balanced the rum. The floral notes really elevated the classic Mai Tai without overpowering it. Do you think a splash of lime juice would work to cut through the richness even more?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and it was a hit at my small gathering—the lychee adds such a nice tropical twist without overpowering the rum. One question: would it work well with a dark rum instead of the suggested white, or would that clash with the fruit flavors?
★★★★
This Lychee Mai Tai sounds like the perfect tropical drink! I love how you gave fun excuses to enjoy it. The lychee twist must make it extra refreshing. Definitely saving this recipe for my next pool day!
★★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee’s sweetness balanced the rum. The floral notes really elevated the classic Mai Tai—definitely a crowd-pleaser at my small gathering. Has anyone experimented with swapping the dark rum for something like a coconut rum?
★★★★
I tried making this last weekend and the lychee really adds a nice tropical twist to the classic Mai Tai. The balance of sweet and tart was spot on, though I had to adjust the lime juice a bit to my taste. Do you think frozen lychee would work just as well, or is fresh essential for the best flavor?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee sweetness balanced with the rum. The floral notes really elevated the classic Mai Tai profile. Do you recommend shaking versus stirring for this particular mix?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee pairs with the rum—it adds a nice floral sweetness without being overpowering. Do you think it would work with a dark rum instead of the white one mentioned?
★★★★
I tried making this last weekend for a small gathering, and the lychee really added a nice tropical twist to the classic Mai Tai. The balance of sweet and tart was spot on, though I might dial back the syrup a touch next time. Have you experimented with swapping the rum for something like a coconut rum to enhance the fruitiness?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how the lychee’s sweetness balanced the rum without overpowering it. The presentation with the lychee garnish really impressed my guests too. Do you think it would work with a different dark rum if I can’t find the specific one you mentioned?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee pairs with the rum—it’s a nice twist on the classic. The floral sweetness balanced the lime perfectly. Did you find that using fresh lychees changes the texture much compared to canned?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how well the lychee’s sweetness balanced the rum. The floral notes really elevated the classic Mai Tai—definitely a keeper for summer gatherings. Did you experiment with different types of rum when developing this?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was surprised by how well the lychee sweetness balanced the rum. The floral notes really elevated the classic Mai Tai—definitely a crowd-pleaser at my dinner party. Did you experiment with any specific rum blend, or is there a go-to you’d recommend for this?
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and was blown away by how well the lychee’s floral sweetness balanced the rum. The orgeat really ties everything together—do you think using fresh lychee juice instead of canned would change the texture much?
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee adds a floral sweetness that pairs so well with the rum. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee adds a floral sweetness that pairs so well with the rum. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee adds a floral sweetness that pairs so well with the rum. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
★★★★
I tried this recipe last weekend and it was a huge hit at our small gathering—the lychee really balances out the rum beautifully. One question: could you substitute the orgeat with simple syrup if I don’t have any on hand, or would that throw off the flavor too much?
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee adds a floral sweetness that pairs so well with the rum. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next summer gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next weekend get-together.
★★★★
This looks like a fantastic twist on a classic. I love how lychee can add such a unique floral sweetness to cocktails. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like such a fun twist on a classic. I love the idea of using lychee to add that floral sweetness to a Mai Tai. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next summer gathering.
★★★★
This looks like such a fun and refreshing twist on a classic. I love the idea of using lychee to add that floral sweetness. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
This looks like such a fun twist on a classic. I love the idea of incorporating lychee, and the “Funky Asian Kitchen” theme sounds like a great concept for a whole series of drinks. I’ll definitely be trying this recipe for my next small gathering.
★★★★
Thanks Maggie! Glad you enjoyed it.
These were amazing with my Korean short rib wraps! Perfect drink to match.
★★★★★