(Updated in 2020)
Summer is here! This Lychee and Ginger Cooler will help you refresh with some fresh lychees, basil, ginger & lemon. Top it off with vodka when you’re ready for happy hour!
When I was in Mitsuwa (Japanese supermarket) last week, they have lychees. I immediately grabbed a bag. It has been a long time since I had lychee. It is probably because they can only be found in Asian supermarkets.
Back in Hong Kong, my mom would always buy a bunch of lychees during summer. My sister and I would gather around the dining table to munch off these sweet and juicy red fruits. They were so hard to resist. However no matter how much you like it, we would be told not to eat too much.
Why? In the world of Chinese medicine, all food is being categorized as neutral, cooling or warming. To keep things balanced in our bodies, it is important to beware of what we eat. Lychee is considered as a warming food. What does that mean? If you eat too many lychees, you can get sick, such as stomachache or nose bleed.
Even though I don’t follow everything in Chinese medicine, I do believe in this cooling and warming effect. I remember one time, I ate too much fried food (warming food). All the sudden, the back of my ear started to hurt. My godmother gave me a fresh pear (cooling food) to eat. I was much better right away. Too much of anything is bad, right? There is no problem eating lychee, just don’t eat too much each time.
With the fresh lychee in hands and the warmer weather approaching, I was determined to make a drink. I used half of my lychee to make this sweet drink. It is really refreshing! So perfect for summer!
First, peel and deseed the lychees. Muddle the flesh and get all the juice. Other than the sweet lychee juice, it is also sweetened by a ginger and basil syrup. Just boil a little bit of water with sugar, ginger and basil. Reduce for 10 minutes. It wasn’t very strong, but you can taste a hint of the spicy ginger and fragrant basil. Combine the lychee juice and syrup. Top with ice and soda. Ta da! Done! If you are feeling something boozy, add some vodka. It is just as good!
Lychee & Ginger Cooler
Ingredients
- 4 pieces ginger slices (each slice is about 1x1x1/8-inch in size)
- 6 fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ¾ cup water
- 12 fresh lychees
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 10 ice cubes
- 12 ounces club soda
- 2 ounces vodka (optional)
Instructions
- Lightly smash the ginger slices (it should still stay intact). Break the basil leaves in halves.
- In a small pot over medium heat, add ginger, basil, sugar, and ¾ cup water. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool for 20 minutes. Pour into a heatproof measuring cup. Stir in lemon juice as well.
- Meanwhile, peel the lychees and remove the pits. Save the juice in the process. Place the lychee flesh in a small bowl and muddle to release juice. Strain the pulp and add the juice to the ginger syrup. Stir well.
- Add the ice cubes to 2 serving glasses. Divide the juice into the cups. Top with soda and 1 ounce of vodka for each glass (if using). Add 1 tablespoon meshed lychee pulp into each glass. Stir. Garnish with extra basil leaves. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ginger basil syrup can be made a few hours ahead. Let it cool to room temperature and keep in the fridge until ready to use.
- Why smash the ginger? That will help release the flavors into the syrup.
- Don’t throw away the meshed lychee pulp. Enjoy them yourselves while making the cooler.
We love lychee but rarely have it…I need to keep an eye out for it. The lychee and ginger combo sounds awesome. I know nothing about mixing drinks so it’s nice to see your ideas – they’re always so refreshing and pretty to look at. It’s nice you’re on the West Coast and can enjoy these all year round out in the sun. : )
Yea, we do see the sun mostly everyday. I live near the coast, so we get marine layer a lot around this time of year, which is like natural a/c. Very nice! The one bad thing is earthquake. That is seriously no fun!
Anyway, back to the lychee, they are in season now. Hope u can find some! Mixed drinks are actually very easy to make and require only a few ingredients. There are no right or wrong. Little bit of this and that. If you have some fresh fruits, simple syrup, club soda, you probably are ready to make one. Have fun!
This is going to be my summer cocktail! I love the balance of flavors in this drink – a little sweet, crisp, spicy… perfect!
Thanks Kathleen! The flavors were really nice! I love the syrup so much that I think I need to add that to some other drinks!
I love lychee and this cocktail is such a fun way to use them. It sounds so refreshing and delicious!
I know peeling the lychee could require some time, but the drinks was so nice! Worth the effort! 🙂
Just saw lychee at Trader Joe’s this week! This looks so refreshing, I’m so curious how the basil tastes in it! Will have to make! 🙂
I didn’t know Trader Joe’s sells lychee too! That makes everything easier. You will love the syrup. It is subtle but noticeable.
I love lychee too! Unfortunately it wasn’t a fruit that I grew up with, but I first tried fresh lychee in the US and then Taiwan and I’ve been in love! This cocktail looks FANTASTIC!! I am getting thirsty thinking of the flavor…and I’m not a big drinker too. I’ll def try this when I get back (I don’t see lychee in supermarkets here in Japan….). Hope they still have it… maybe too late… ahhh!
In my opinion, the non-alcoholic version is SO MUCH better! The vodka can be a little strong that takes away the delicate flavors of the lychee. Hopefully, there will still be lychee around when you are back. 🙂
Growing up, I totally had to deal with that warm/cool food practices. Except, I never really learned my lesson. 😉
I love the combo of lychee and ginger. Sounds so tasty and refreshing!
P.S. Look up “Super King Markets.” During the summer they sell tons of lychee and it’s super cheap!
These summer in addition to it.. this lockdown… I need this cooler recipe….
thanks for sharing it