If you like the sweet addictive taste of juicy lychees, you are going to love this recipe for homemade lychee syrup. All you need is three ingredients and a short amount of time. It’s perfect to use in a lychee juicy or a lychee cocktail. Today we’re going to show you how to make it and how to use it to make homemade lychee juice.
What’s Lychee?
Did you know lychees were first documented as being cultivated in China in the 11th century? The small and round ancient tropical fruit is picked from trees, which are native to South China, Malaysia, and Northern Vietnam. The trees have since been introduced to other Southeast Asian countries. You peel the thin red scaly skin to reveal the white and soft juicy fruit pulp and one large black seed.
Lychee and longan are two of my favorite fruits, if you like this fruit like me, check lychee puree, lychee boba and homemade lychee jelly.
What Does Lychee Taste Like?
Lychees are known to be a really sweet fruit with a floral undertone and a fragrance similar to rosewater. Some people say the taste is a cross between a strawberry and a pear, while others say they get a hint of watermelon or grape. Lychees can also have an acidic citrus undertone. Basically, if you like any of these fruit, you’re pretty much guaranteed to like lychees.
Lychee Flavor
Lychee flavor is used to describe the aroma of lychee in different foods, including sprinkling water, juice, ice cream, or boba. This flavor can combine with lots of other ingredients like green tea or black tea too. If you ever tried the flavor, it must be unforgettable.
Ingredients
Lychee: either fresh or canned lychee. Skin and seeds removed.
Water: 1 cup. Use filtered water to guarantee the best result.
sugar: I use white sugar as it helps to maintain the pure white creamy color of the syrup. Other sugars may give it a different color.
Simple syrup is cooked by the same portion of sugar and water. But since lychee contains lots of sugar itself. So I started with 3/4 cup and it is sweet enough.
Smash vs blend method
You may find both smashing method of blended methods might be used in order to make the lychee puree. I suggest using the smashing method because you can still eaten the flesh left. Just a little bit lighter but still delicious. However for blended version, all the fibers are discarded. It also increases the impurities in the syrup.
Ingredients
- 12 fresh lychee
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- First, you need to prepare fresh lychees. So remove the skins and seeds and place the flesh in a measuring cup.
- Then take a muddler or the top of a wooden spoon and mash the lychees until you make juice. Ideally, you want a cup of fresh lychee juice.
- Place a strainer over a medium pot and pour the mashed lychee mixture into the strainer. What about the pulp, just eat it. The reason why I suggest using a muddler instead of a blender is because the pulp is still enjoyable, but less sweet.
- Add ¾ cup of sugar and a cup of water to the lychee juice in the pot.
- Now we’re going to boil this mixture over low-medium heat on the stovetop until it starts to bubble. Then turn it down. Ans set aside for cooling. to low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Once the syrup thickens and can lightly coat the back of a spoon, you can remove the pot from the heat.
- Grab the sealable container of your choice and a funnel and then pour the lychee syrup into the container.
Notes
Storage
Once cooled, store the lychee syrup in a syrup bottom or other air-tight container and in the refrigerator for up to one week.
How to Use Lychee Syrup
There are actually so many ways you can use homemade lychee syrup:
- Pour it over crushed or shaved ice for a lychee-flavored snow cone or vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or sorbet to add flavor.
- Drizzle over pancakes or waffles for breakfast.
- Use it as a fruit salad dressing.
- Add it as you would simple syrup to the cocktail, or alcoholic drink of your choice. Or simply mix it with hot water or hot eat.
- Use it as a cake soak or even use it to soak lychee boba flavors.
- Make a lychee juicy (recipe below), a lychee iced tea, or lychee lemonade. You can even simply add some to sparkling or soda water.
Can I Use Canned Lychees to Make Lychee Syrup?
Yes, you can use canned lychees. However, you need to reduce the amount of sugar used because the lychees have soaked in the juice that contains added sugar. Start with half a cup and give it a taste test before adding more until it reaches your preferred sweetness.
How to Make a Lychee Juicy
Use your lychee syrup to make this homemade lychee juice. It has a refreshing mint flavor, but the mint is totally optional. Here’s how to make lychee juicy in a few easy steps.
- Place fresh lychee flesh and a few fresh mint leaves in a blender.
- Add water and lychee syrup.
- Pulse the ingredients until mixed together.
- Place a strainer over your cup and pour the blender contents into your cup.
- Add some ice if you like. Otherwise, enjoy your homemade lychee juicy!
