Litchi Juice is a refreshing summer drink made with fresh litchi (lychee) fruit, lemon juice, water and a sweetener. The litchi pulp is blended and mixed with the remaining ingredients to make a light and cooling beverage. This easy recipe comes together in minutes and highlights the naturally sweet flavor of the fruit. Serve Lychee Juice chilled for a refreshing drink on warm days
About Litchi Juice
Litchi, also known as lychee, is a tropical fruit with a thin pink-red peel and juicy white flesh. It is widely enjoyed in India during the summer season and is also popular across many parts of Asia.
The fruit has a naturally sweet taste with mild floral notes. Fresh litchis are best enjoyed as they are, but they also work well in drinks, desserts and frozen treats.
This homemade Litchi Juice is one of the easiest ways to use fresh seasonal litchis. It requires only a handful of ingredients and can be prepared in less than 15 minutes.
The combination of litchi and lemon creates a balanced flavor. The sweetness of the fruit pairs well with the slight tanginess of fresh lemon juice.
Some sugar is also added in the homemade juice. Depending on the sweetness of the fruit, you may reduce it, increase it or skip it altogether.
Fresh mint is optional but adds a pleasant freshness to the litchi drink. It also makes a simple garnish when serving.
Unlike packaged fruit drinks, this recipe uses fresh fruit pulp and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives.
The Litchi Juice recipe can be adjusted easily. Use more water for a lighter drink or reduce the water slightly for a stronger fruit flavor.
If you enjoy seasonal fruit beverages, this Litchi Juice is a simple and refreshing way to make the most of fresh lychees during their short season.
Apart from this Litchi Juice, you can also use lychees to make Milkshakes, Smoothies and ice creams.
If you enjoy refreshing summer beverages, you can also try these recipes:
Aam Panna | Kokum Juice | Jamun Juice | Nimbu Pani | Watermelon Juice | Mango Juice
How To Make Litchi Juice (Stepwise)
1. Rinse 14 to 15 litchis well under running water. Drain all the water.
Peel the litchis.
Tip: While peeling the litchis, check the flesh carefully. Discard any fruits that look spoiled, discolored or have signs of worms. Fresh, ripe litchis will have juicy, translucent flesh and a pleasant sweet aroma.
2. You can separate the flesh from the seed with clean fingers or a small paring knife. Collect the pulp and discard the seeds.
3. Add all the litchi pulp to a blender.
4. Blend to a smooth puree without adding water.
If needed, add a few tablespoons of water to help with blending. A few tiny bits of fruit in the puree are perfectly fine.
5. Transfer the puree to a large bowl, pitcher or keep it in the blender jar.
Add 3 cups water (cold or room-temperature) and 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar.
Tip: For a slightly thinner juice, add a little more water or as needed.
6. Cut 1 small to medium lemon in half and squeeze the juice directly into the mixture using a lemon press or with clean hands. Remove any seeds, if present.
7. Mix well until the sugar dissolves completely. If using the blender jar, blend again for a few seconds to combine everything evenly.
Taste the juice and adjust the sweetness, lemon juice or water as needed.
8. Pour Litchi Juice into serving glasses.
Add ice cubes if preferred. Garnish with mint leaves or lemon slices and serve immediately.
Lychee Juice tastes best when served cold, especially during hot summer days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Litchi Juice chilled as a refreshing summer drink. Pair it with light snacks.
It also works well as a welcome drink for small gatherings and family meals.
Storage
Litchi Juice tastes best when served immediately after making.
If needed, refrigerate for up to 4 to 5 hours in a covered pitcher or bottle. Stir well before serving as the fruit pulp may settle at the bottom.
Avoid storing for extended periods as fresh fruit juice gradually loses its flavor and freshness.
Dassana’s Recipe Tips
- Choose fresh litchis: Use ripe, juicy and fresh litchis for the best flavor. Occasionally, overripe or improperly stored fruits may have worms or spoilage inside. Check the fruit while peeling and discard any that do not look fresh.
- Adjust sweetness: The amount of sugar depends on the natural sweetness of the fruit. Taste before adding any extra sugar.
- Alternative sweeteners: Instead of sugar, you can use honey, maple syrup, palm sugar, coconut sugar or jaggery according to your preference.
- Adjust the consistency: If the litchi pulp is too thick while blending, add a few tablespoons of water to help it blend smoothly.
- Use fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice balances the sweetness and adds a light tangy flavor. You can also omit it if you prefer a purely sweet litchi drink.
- Add ginger: For a slightly different flavor, add a small piece of fresh ginger while blending the litchi pulp.
- Use chilled water: You can make the juice with chilled water and skip the ice cubes. The prepared juice can also be refrigerated for a few hours before serving.
- Mint is optional: Mint adds freshness and a pop of color, but the juice tastes equally good without it.
- Do not blend the seeds: Always remove and discard the seeds before blending the fruit pulp.
More Juice Recipes to Try
Remove the leathery skin of the lychee fruits.
Remove the fleshy pulp with a paring knife or with clean fingers and discard the seeds.
- In a blender, put all the lychee fruit pulp and make a smooth and fine puree of without adding any water. If needed, you can add in a few tablespoons of water while blending. Tiny unblended bits and pieces are alright in the puree.
In a jar or bowl, add the blended lychee puree, water and sugar.
Halve the lemon and extract the juice from them directly in the jar using a lemon squeezer or press.
Mix and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Pour litchi juice in glasses topped with some ice cubes if you like.
Serve Lychee Juice immediately.
While serving, you can garnish Litchi Juice with few mint leaves or lemon slices.
- Use fresh, ripe, plump, and juicy litchis. While peeling, check each fruit and discard any that show signs of spoilage, discoloration or worms.
- You can use cold water, if you don’t want to use ice cubes in the Litchi Juice.
- You can also refrigerate the Lychee Juice for some hours and serve later.
- If you do not prefer a tangy taste, refrain from adding the lemon juice. Adjust the amount of sugar as needed.
Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): 0.02mg | Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0.05mg | Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 0.4mg | Vitamin B6: 0.1mg | Vitamin C: 55mg | Vitamin E: 0.1mg | Vitamin K: 0.2µg | Calcium: 25mg | Vitamin B9 (Folate): 13µg | Iron: 1mg | Magnesium: 12mg | Phosphorus: 23mg | Zinc: 0.1mg
Litchi Juice recipe from the the blog archives was first published on Jun 2013.
