Lychee-Thai Chili Lemonade Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated August 30, 2018
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Dave Katz

Sweet fresh lychees are cut with the heat of a Thai chile and tart lemon juice to make for a balanced, refreshing summer drink.

Thirsty for more lemonade? Check out these 12 delicious variations.

Recipe Details

Lychee-Thai Chili Lemonade Recipe

Active 15 mins
Total 15 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lychees, peeled and seeded (about 1 1/2 cups lychee flesh)

  • 1 cup fresh juice from 10 to 12 lemons

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • Pinch salt

  • 1/2 small red Thai chile

  • 3 cups cold water

  • 1 quart ice

Directions

  1. Combine 1 cup of lychees, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and Thai chili in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into pitcher. Discard solids. Add cold water and whisk to combine. Chop remaining lychee flesh into 1/4-inch pieces and add to pitcher. Add ice. Serve in ice-filled glasses garnished with additional whole chilis if desired.

Special Equipment

Blender

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
138Calories
0gFat
36gCarbs
1gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories138
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 35mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 36g13%
Dietary Fiber 1g3%
Total Sugars 33g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 50mg252%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 0mg1%
Potassium 128mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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