Lychee Martini

Do you remember when the world was supposed to end?  It was around May of 2011 when the rapture was supposed to occur.  Since we're all still here, the folks who were predicting it were clearly a little off...and maybe even more than a little off, if you know what I mean.  And before you start thinking that I've gone a little off, I guess I should explain what all this has to do with lychee martinis.

It was around that same time that I finally tasted my first lychee, a small, juicy and ultra sweet little fruit.  I loved it and its syrupy juice just cried out to be used in a cocktail.  So I made a pitcher of lychee martinis and we drank them the night the world was supposed to end.  And ever since then, since the world failed to end, the drink is known around here as the "rapture-tini."

Now every spring I search for the first sweet lychees in the market.  They're a little late this year, probably because it was so cold for so long, but they were finally there this week.  And then there were lychee martinis.  And they were good.  Cheers!

Per Serving:
2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Lychee puree (see below)
1/2 oz. Lime juice
1/2 oz. Simple syrup
1/2 oz. Elderflower liqueur

Peel and pit about 5 lychees and puree them in a blender or food processor.  Add the lychee puree along with the vodka, lime juice, simple syrup and elderflower liqueur to a cocktail shaker.  Fill with ice and shake well.  Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a fresh lychee and a sprig of mint, if desired.