Lychee Rose Cooler

Imperial June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

Yield: 4 servings, about 1 cup each
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Quick Ingredients

1 (20-ounce/567 g) can lychees in syrup, chilled to 35°F to 40°F
1/2 cup reserved lychee syrup from the can
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 2 medium lemons
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons food-grade rose water
3 cups chilled plain sparkling water, 35°F to 40°F
2 cups ice cubes
Optional garnish: 4 whole lychees, 4 thin lemon wheels, 4 small mint sprigs or edible rose petals

Do This

1. Drain the chilled lychees, reserving 1/2 cup of the syrup.
2. Blend the lychees, reserved syrup, lemon juice, sugar, and rose water for 30 to 45 seconds until smooth.
3. Taste and adjust with 1 additional teaspoon lemon juice if you want it brighter.
4. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for a smoother drink, if desired.
5. Fill 4 glasses with 1/2 cup ice each and divide the lychee-rose base evenly among them.
6. Top each glass with 3/4 cup chilled sparkling water and stir gently 2 to 3 times.
7. Garnish with lychee, lemon, and mint or edible rose petals, then serve immediately.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fragrant but not fussy: Rose water gives the drink a delicate floral note without making it taste perfumey.
Refreshing and lightly sparkling: Chilled sparkling water keeps the cooler bright, crisp, and easy to sip.
Great for entertaining: The lychee base can be made ahead, then topped with bubbles right before serving.
Simple ingredients, special flavor: Canned lychees make this feel elegant and tropical with very little work.

Grocery List

Produce: 2 medium lemons, fresh mint sprigs or edible rose petals for garnish
Dairy: None
Pantry: 1 (20-ounce/567 g) can lychees in syrup, granulated sugar, food-grade rose water, plain sparkling water, ice cubes

Full Ingredients

Lychee Rose Base

1 (20-ounce/567 g) can lychees in syrup, chilled to 35°F to 40°F
1/2 cup reserved lychee syrup from the can
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 2 medium lemons
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons food-grade rose water, not rose extract
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

To Finish

3 cups chilled plain sparkling water, chilled to 35°F to 40°F
2 cups ice cubes, divided among 4 glasses

Garnishes

4 whole lychees, drained
4 thin lemon wheels
4 small fresh mint sprigs or 1 tablespoon food-safe edible rose petals

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the ingredients

For the freshest, most refreshing cooler, start with cold ingredients. Refrigerate the canned lychees and sparkling water until they are between 35°F and 40°F, at least 2 hours if they are starting from room temperature. This helps the drink stay bubbly and crisp once mixed.

Step 2: Drain and measure the lychees

Open the can of lychees and set a fine-mesh strainer over a measuring cup. Drain the fruit, making sure to reserve exactly 1/2 cup of the syrup. Set aside 4 whole lychees for garnish, then add the remaining drained lychees to a blender.

Step 3: Blend the lychee rose base

Add the 1/2 cup reserved lychee syrup, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons food-grade rose water, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt to the blender with the lychees. Blend on high speed for 30 to 45 seconds, until the mixture looks smooth, pale, and slightly frothy.

Step 4: Taste and balance the flavor

Taste a small spoonful of the lychee rose base before adding sparkling water. It should be sweet, gently floral, and bright from the lemon. If it tastes too sweet, add 1 teaspoon more lemon juice. If your lychees are not very sweet, add 1 teaspoon more sugar and blend for 10 seconds to dissolve.

Step 5: Strain for a silky texture

For the smoothest drink, pour the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher or large measuring cup. Press gently with a spoon to help the liquid pass through, but avoid forcing too much pulp through the sieve. You should have about 2 cups of lychee rose base.

Step 6: Build the coolers

Fill 4 tall glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes each. Divide the lychee rose base evenly among the glasses, using about 1/2 cup base per glass. Pour 3/4 cup chilled sparkling water into each glass. Stir each drink gently 2 to 3 times with a long spoon, just enough to combine without flattening the bubbles.

Step 7: Garnish and serve

Garnish each glass with 1 whole lychee, 1 thin lemon wheel, and either a small mint sprig or a few edible rose petals. Serve immediately while the drink is cold, fragrant, and sparkling.

Pro Tips

Use rose water sparingly: Rose water is lovely in small amounts, but too much can taste soapy. Start with 1 1/2 teaspoons for the whole batch.
Do not use rose extract: Rose extract is much stronger than rose water and can overpower the lychee. Look for food-grade rose water in the baking, Middle Eastern, Indian, or specialty foods section.
Add bubbles last: Mix the sparkling water into the glasses right before serving so the cooler stays lively and fizzy.
Strain if serving guests: Straining is optional, but it gives the drink a polished, silky texture that feels extra special.
Keep everything cold: Cold ingredients reduce ice melt, keeping the drink flavorful instead of watered down.

Variations

Lychee Rose Mocktail Spritz: Add 2 tablespoons pomegranate juice to each glass before topping with sparkling water for a blush-pink color and tart berry note.
Cucumber Lychee Cooler: Blend 1/2 cup peeled chopped cucumber with the lychee base for a spa-style version that tastes extra crisp and clean.
Adult Lychee Rose Fizz: Add 1 ounce gin or vodka to each glass before topping with sparkling water. Stir gently and serve immediately.

Storage & Make-Ahead

The blended lychee rose base can be made up to 24 hours ahead. Store it in an airtight jar or covered pitcher in the refrigerator at 35°F to 40°F. Stir well before using, because natural fruit solids may settle. Do not add the sparkling water until just before serving, or the drink will lose its bubbles. Once mixed with sparkling water and ice, the cooler is best enjoyed within 15 minutes.

Nutrition (per serving)