Ball Drop: A Lychee Champagne Cocktail | Lychee Mimosa
The Golden Lychee Fizz is not just a drink, it’s an experience. The golden-sprinkled lychee, like a jewel in your glass, adds an extra touch of excitement to the moment the clock strikes midnight.
This is a simple yet dramatic champagne cocktail that adds a playful twist to your New Year’s celebration. The effervescence of sparkling wine complements the sweetness of lychee, creating a delightful twist on the New Year’s champagne that is visually stunning and delicious. Crafted specifically for the New Year’s celebration, the Golden Lychee Fizz is inspired by the joy and glamour of the season.
For other champagne cocktails, try the Pomegranate Mimosa or Rose Mimosa.
Ingredients
Lychee – lychees originate in China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, where they have been cultivated for at least 2,000 years. India’s history with them is more recent, going back only a couple of centuries, but India is a major producer of lychees. They are grown in Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
Champagne or sparkling wine of choice – This is ideally made with nice, dry champagne to counterbalance the sweet lychee syrup and sugar from the gold crystals.
Gold sugar crystals – I found these at Michael’s. I tried both silver and gold, the silver were a big disappointment since they just looked muddy and gray when mixed with the champagne. On the other hand, the gold color really highlighted the gold of the champagne and has just the elegance I was going for with this drink.
Not only do the gold sugar crystals give the lychee it’s dramatic disco ball look, but it forms this lovely golden glitter at the top of the drink (this photos don’t do it justice).
How to Make this Drink
Dry your lychees with a paper towel and then coat them in gold sugar crystals. I found these shiny sprinkles at Michael’s.
Adding a tablespoon of lychee syrup to each of your champagne flutes. The lychee syrup comes from your can of lychees. If you are using fresh lychees you can omit the syrup and use lychee juice instead.
Add the champagne. Use about 4 ounces of champagne, making sure to leave a little space for the lychee and any fizzing that will occur when the ball is dropped in.
When the clock strikes midnight, drop in your lychee!
Share a toast with your loved ones.
Tips
- Use a paper towel to ensure the lychee is completely dry before rolling it in the sugar. This is important to prevent the sugar from gumming up with the gold crystals.
- Leave some space at the top of the glass for the lychee, and to give the drink space to fizz up when the lychee is dropped in.
Non-Alcoholic Version
For a non-alcoholic version, swap champagne with apple cider, which has a similar color and fizziness. This is a lot of fun for the kids.
Recipe
Ball Drop: A Lychee Champagne Cocktail
This lychee champagne "Ball Drop" is not just a drink, it's an experience. Add extra excitement to the moment the clock strikes midnight.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp lychee syrup (from can)
- 1 lychee
- 1 tsp gold sugar crystals ((sprinkles))
- 4 oz sparkling wine
Instructions
- Add lychee syrup to a champagne glass.
- Blot a lychee dry with a paper towel. Roll the lychee in gold sprinkles to cover entirely.
- Fill a glass nearly to the top with champagne (or sparkling wine). Leave a little space to avoid spilling.
- Drop the lychee into the glass to serve.
Notes:
To serve a crowd, drain all the lychees in a can. Ensure they are dry. Cover with the sprinkles. Set out on a tray. Pass out the champagne flutes with lychee syrup and champagne. Let people drop the lychee in when the countdown finishes.
