This homemade lychee syrup recipe is a fragrant, floral simple syrup made with fresh or canned lychees. Perfect for cocktails, mocktails, bubble tea, lemonade, and desserts, it comes together in just 15 minutes with a simple 1 to 1 syrup formula.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Bottle or jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup lychee flesh fresh or canned, pitted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water or reserved lychee juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Add lychee flesh, sugar, and water (or lychee juice) to a saucepan.
- Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Gently mash the lychees and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and steep 15–20 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
- Stir in lemon juice if using.
- Cool completely before storing in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
For stronger flavor, allow longer steeping time before straining.
For thicker syrup, use a 2 to 1 sugar-to-liquid ratio.
Always strain thoroughly for a smooth, clear syrup.
Store in sterilized containers to extend shelf life.
Label with the preparation date.