I created the China Rose Martini using the basic backbone of the Lychee and Sake Martini, but I swapped out the gin with Rose Petal Vodka to give this cocktail its namesake hue and a delicate floral fragrance. You can use either junmai ginjō-shu (純米吟醸酒) or nigorizake ((濁り酒), depending on your personal preference. However, for this drink, I prefer the sweeter taste of the cloudier unfiltered nigorizake, which turns a lovely blush pink when mixed with the red rose-infused vodka.
Ingredients
- 2 fl oz. sake
- 1 fl oz. rose petal vodka
- ¾ fl oz. lychee liqueur (Kwai Feh or SOHO)
- ½ fl oz. lychee juice*
Instructions
Combine in a cocktail shaker with ice and stir; pour into a chilled martini glass and serve. Garnish with peeled, seeded fresh or canned lychees, if desired. An orchid blossom or rose petal also adds a lovely touch.
Bartender’s Notes:
You can buy lychee juice in Asian grocery stores, in the mixers section of better-stocked liquor stores, and online (Rubicon and Jans are two brands you might run across). If you can’t find lychee juice, you can substitute lychee syrup (from one can of lychees)- if using lychee syrup, you may want to use the dryer junmai-ginjo sake (unless you like your drinks on the sweeter side).