Refreshing watermelon and lychee mocktail made with fresh lychee juice, sparkling water, non-alcoholic gin, and mint for a bright summer drink, or for a Valentine's Day mocktail.
Watermelon mocktails are a staple for hot weather at our house, and this watermelon and lychee mocktail is just the prefect combination for a refresher. You can taste the sweetness of lychee paired with watermelon's clean, refreshing taste in a drink that’s crisp, fizzy, and cooling.
I make this when temperatures climb and need to make quick drinks. Only takes about 15 minutes to prepare the lychee juice, then just a few minutes to assemble each glass. It looks and taste sophisticated even if it's so simple to make. The twisted watermelon slices and lychee skewers make every glass look like it came from a fancy resort bar.
One time, I made a pitcher for a backyard picnic and watched as friends who'd never tried lychee before became completely obsessed. One friend texted me the next day asking where to buy lychees because she wanted to make it at home. Now whenever we're planning a get-together, someone always asks if I'll be making "those fancy fruit drinks." That's always a good indication that I have another recipe hit.
Ingredients
The fresh lychee juice is what makes this mocktail stand out, with that sweet floral taste you just can't get from bottled juice. I blend whole lychees with water because it tastes so much brighter and more fragrant. I'll add a little sugar or honey if the lychees aren't super ripe, but usually they're sweet enough on their own.
For the fizz, I love using watermelon-flavored sparkling water because it goes perfectly with lychee without making everything too sweet. Those thin slices of mini watermelon get twisted and placed right in the glass. They're not just for looks either, they actually add more flavor as they sit in the drink.
The non-alcoholic gin is what takes this from just a fruit drink to something that feels like a real cocktail. Even 1½ ounces gives it that complexity that makes it taste so much better. I always finish with mint sprigs and a few whole lychees skewered across the glass because they add texture and that cooling mint flavor that ties everything together.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
I don't think any fruity mocktail is better than two of your favorite summer fruits combined. It comes together in a few minutes and is very simple to make.
Prepare the Lychees
Peel 10 fresh lychees by gently pressing on the skin until it splits, then remove the white flesh. Discard the seeds and place the fruit in a blender.
Blend the Lychee Juice
Add 1 cup of water to the blender with the lychees. If you'd like it sweeter, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar or honey. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Strain the Juice (Optional)
If you prefer a smoother texture, pour the lychee mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl or jar. Use the back of a spoon to press out as much juice as you can. Set it aside.
Prepare the Watermelon Garnish
Take three thin half-moon slices from a mini watermelon. Gently twist each slice and place them along the inside of your serving glasses. This adds a bright, fruity layer that looks nice and adds flavor.
Add the Base Ingredients
Pour 1½ ounces of non-alcoholic gin into each glass. Follow that with ¼ cup of your fresh lychee juice.
Add Sparkle
Open two cans of watermelon-flavored sparkling water. Pour about two-thirds of a can into each glass, filling to near the top. The sparkling water brings everything together with a fruity fizz.
Garnish and Serve
Thread 2 to 3 lychees onto a short skewer or cocktail pick. Lay the skewer across the rim of each glass. Top with a fresh sprig of mint for fragrance and a pop of green. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.
From Mocktail to Cocktail
To turn this into a cocktail, simply replace the non-alcoholic gin with real gin. Use the same amount, about 1½ ounces per glass, and follow the same method. A floral gin like Hendrick’s pairs well with the lychee, while a citrusy one adds a brighter kick.
If you want to enhance the fruitiness, add a splash of elderflower liqueur or lychee liqueur along with the gin. Keep the rest of the drink the same with the fresh lychee juice, watermelon-flavored sparkling water, twisted watermelon slices, and mint sprigs all hold up and make the cocktail light, fresh, and layered. Serve ice-cold.
Top Tips for Watermelon and Lychee Mocktail
Use very ripe lychees: The sweeter and juicier your lychees are, the better the fresh juice will taste. If they’re underripe or dry, your mocktail might end up flat even with added sugar.
Twist the watermelon slices gently: Don’t fold the watermelon slices too tightly or they’ll break. A light twist adds shape without tearing the fruit, and it fits more naturally along the glass.
Add the sparkling water last: Pour the watermelon-flavored sparkling water after everything else to keep the bubbles intact. Stir gently if needed, but avoid shaking or overmixing.
The Forest is Full of Mocktails
If watermelon or lychee are two of your favorite summer fruits too, you’ll want to keep sipping on drinks that highlight their natural sweetness and fragrance. After you try this mocktail, make space in your fridge for a pitcher of lime watermelon juice (watermelon agua fresca) or a bright virgin strawberry watermelon margarita. Both are quick to make and taste even better after a chill in the fridge.
You can also stay on the lychee train with a virgin lychee martini or a lychee mojito if you like a bit of mint and lime in the mix. For something totally different but still summery, I’ve been loving the lavender lemonade and pineapple passionfruit refresher. They’re perfect for long afternoons when you want something cold and fragrant to sip on.
Non-Alcoholic Watermelon and Lychee Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 cans watermelon-flavored sparkling water
- ¾ cup fresh lychee juice see instructions below
- 6-9 lychees
- 1 mini watermelon sliced thinly into 3 half slices
- 3 sprigs mint
- 4 ounces non-alcoholic gin divided between glasses
Fresh Lychee Juice
- 10 fresh lychees
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 teaspoons sugar or honey optional
Instructions
Make Fresh Lychee Juice
- Peel 10 lychees and remove seeds.
- Place lychee flesh and 1 cup water in a blender. Add sugar or honey if desired.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain juice through a fine mesh sieve if you want a smoother texture.
Prepare the Mocktail
- Twist each thin watermelon slice and place it inside a glass.
- Pour 1 ½ ounces non-alcoholic gin into each glass.
- Add ¼ cup fresh lychee juice to each glass.
- Thread 2-3 lychees onto a skewer to fit across the glass width.
- Pour about ⅔ can of sparkling water into each glass, filling it.
- Add the lychee skewer and garnish with a mint sprig.
- Serve and enjoy.
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