A drink that tastes like summer in the first sip: sweet lychees, fresh raspberries, and the spicy note of London Dry Gin. The Lychee & Raspberry Fizz balances fruitiness with a light acidity and sparkling freshness. Perfect for warm days or as an elegant aperitif. The secret lies in the timing – the gin should only steep the berries briefly so the flavors remain clear and don’t turn bitter.
And this is what you need for the Lychee & Raspberry Fizz
6 fresh raspberries
6 cl London Dry Gin
3 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cl lychee liqueur
1 cl sugar syrup (1:1)
5 cl lychee juice (direct juice or from a can, unsweetened)
8 ice cubes (for the shaker)
Ice cubes for topping up
Soda water for topping up
What matters
The lychee liqueur is not a must, but it enhances the fruit aroma and rounds off the sweetness. Important: Use unsweetened lychee juice – otherwise the drink will be cloyingly sweet. If you have fresh lychees, puree 4–5 pitted fruits with 2 cl water and strain the juice. This gives more depth than store-bought juice. When shaking: The ice cubes should be large (at least 3 cm edge length) so they don’t melt too quickly and dilute the gin.
Variations
- Lychee & Raspberry Spritz — Replace the gin with 4 cl Prosecco and 2 cl gin. Lightly press the raspberries, don’t shake – instead, top with ice in the glass and fill with soda water. Less alcohol, more fizz.
- Spicy Lychee Fizz — Add 2 slices of fresh ginger (approx. 3 mm thick) and 1 pinch of chili flakes to the shaker. Let steep for 30 seconds before straining. The ginger adds heat, the chili flakes a light smokiness.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use frozen raspberries?
Yes, but they release more liquid and make the drink waterier. Thaw them briefly and pat them dry. The quantity remains the same.
Why does the drink sometimes taste bitter?
Either the raspberries were crushed too hard (the seeds are bitter) or the lychee liqueur is too dominant. Reduce the liqueur to 0.5 cl or replace it with 0.5 cl vanilla syrup.
Can I use tonic water instead of soda water?
Technically yes, but tonic water will overpower the fruit flavors with its bitterness. If you try it, use only 3 cl and top up with soda water.
