This sparkling cocktail is so juicy, tart and refreshing! This play on a classic tom collins can be made with vodka or gin! A fresh raspberry and lychee syrup gives this libation a delicious fruity burst and playful pink color. Finished with a bubbly splash of soda water, this Raspberry Lychee Collins cocktail (or virgin mocktail!) will be everyone's favorite Spring and Summer sipper!
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What is a Collins Cocktail?
The famous Tom Collins cocktail originated in London back in the 1800's. This popular beverage was described as a "sparkling lemonade and gin". The cocktail was named for its creator, John Collins and his favorite spirit: Old Tom style gin. It consisted of gin, lemon juice, sugar and sparkling water. Traditionally served over ice in a tall Collins glass, this drink is an easy-sipping refreshment. It is a delicious aperitif, happy hour drink or patio pounder!
Over the years, this classic cocktail has been the mixologist's muse for dozens of variations. A Collins cocktail, is easily adapted with other spirits, citrus fruits and syrups. The possibilities are endless! This particular variation, the Raspberry Lychee Collins, works well with gin, vodka, or as a non-alcoholic soda. Read about our variations below!
Gin, Vodka or Virgin: A Refresher Everyone Can Love
This Raspberry Lychees Collins is the perfect refreshing beverage for Spring and Summertime. This recipe was originally designed as an alcoholic libation made with gin or vodka. However, with a few small tweaks, this drink makes for a pretty, festive soda the whole family can enjoy! Read our suggestions, below.
Gin Collins
Gin is a distilled neutral spirit (like vodka). However, gin is distilled with the addition of various botanicals, including juniper. Those botanicals add tons of herbaceous, floral and sometimes, piney flavors. We love the way gin's savory palette balances this cocktail. The original Collins called specifically for Old Tom style gin. This recipe, however, works well with whichever sort of gin you fancy. Plymouth gin, New World western gins and even genever (gin's cousin) all pair nicely with this recipe's fruit. Personally, we enjoy the more juniper-forward flavors of London Dry gin.
Vodka Collins
This Raspberry Lychee Collins recipe is also delicious with vodka. When made with vodka, this cocktail is all about the tart, fruity flavors. With the neutral base of vodka and soda water, the raspberry lychee syrup shines through! It is sure to be a Spring fling crowd-pleaser!
Raspberry Lychee Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Soda)
Finally, this recipe's syrup is easily transformed into a delicious mocktail! Without using any alcohol, you can make a couple small adjustments for a delicious homemade soda. Raspberry Lychee Sparkling Lemonade: perfect for sunny pool days and neighborhood barbecues! Our virgin version of this refreshment can be found in the recipe card below.
Raspberry Lychee Simple Syrup
This syrup brings all the fruity flavor to this Raspberry Lychee Collins recipe! This simple syrup will help to balance the lemon's tartness. Meanwhile, this fruity syrup adds tons of delicious flavor. Fresh raspberries are combined with canned lychee fruit, sugar and water. Lychee, a tropical fruit native to China, has a unique floral flavor that pairs beautifully with raspberries! This syrup is so yummy! Read the full recipe, below.
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Recipe
Raspberry Lychee Collins
ADJUST SERVINGS
Special Equipment
- Blender
- Fine-mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
Raspberry Lychee Syrup
- 20 ounce can of lychee fruit in syrup
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 Cup filtered water
Raspberry Lychee Collins Cocktail
- 1½ ounces gin or vodka
- ¾ ounce Raspberry Lychee Syrup
- ¾ ounce lemon juice preferably freshly-squeezed
- 6 ounces soda water
- Ice as needed for shaking and serving
- Raspberries optional, as desired for garnishing
- Lemon wheel or twist as desired for garnishing
Raspberry Lychee Collins Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
- 1¼ ounce Raspberry Lychee Syrup
- 1¼ ounce lemon juice preferably freshly-squeezed
- Ice as needed for shaking and serving
- 6 ounces soda water
- Raspberries optional, as desired for garnishing
Instructions
Raspberry Lychee Syrup
- Gather, measure and prepare the Raspberry Lychee Syrup ingredients as listed. To view metric measurements, toggle the US Customary/Metric switch at the top of this recipe card.In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients (lychee fruit in syrup, raspberries, sugar and water). Bring to a boil over high-heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Once cooled, transfer the syrup into a blender. Blend on medium-low speed for 2 minutes or until all ingredients are finely puréed and emulsified. Strain syrup through fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Keep Raspberry Lychee Syrup refrigerated until ready to use. Syrup can be made ahead of time and kept refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Raspberry Lychee Collins Cocktail
- Gather, measure and prepare the Raspberry Lychee Collins Cocktail ingredients as listed.Combine gin or vodka, Raspberry Lychee Syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail tin with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Strain the contents of the tin into a Collins (or other cocktail) glass. Fill glass with fresh ice for serving. Top cocktail with soda water. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish the Raspberry Lychee Collins with additional raspberries or a lemon wheel or twist, as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Raspberry Lychee Collins Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
- Gather, measure and prepare the Raspberry Lychee Collins Mocktail ingredients as listed. Combine Raspberry Lychees Syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail tin with ice. Then, shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Strain lemon and syrup mixture into a Collins (or other cocktail) glass. Then, fill the glass with fresh ice, for serving. Next, top the glass with soda water. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish the Raspberry Lychee Mocktail with additional raspberries or a lemon wheel or twist, as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
* A Note About Salt
Unless otherwise noted, all recipes on The Sage Apron are developed using Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. It is a great all-purpose salt for cooking and baking. If using table salt, reduce quantities by about half.
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