Serving a guest a Rambutan Martini (AKA Rambutini) at your next dinner party, will make you a star! The exotic rambutan fruit lends itself to this refreshing, festive rambutan cocktail.
A Rambutan Martini Recipe -- I'm calling it a Rambutini.
Have you ever seen a rambutan? Tried one?
Not only are they fabulous on their own, they're also amazing in a martini! This is a delightful tropical cocktail to serve at your next summer party!
I learned about these jewels when I was sent a bundle of this beautiful exotic fruit from Melissa's Produce. All it takes is one taste to be inspired.
What is a rambutan?
From Southeast Asia, a rambutan is a pretty, albeit bizarre-looking fruit that’s closely related to a lychee.
They're very sweet and juicy with subtle floral and nutty notes.
Varying from bright red to dark maroon, rambutans have hair-like soft spines protruding from their skins. The flesh is a slightly translucent white, with a chewy, grape-like texture, and a white seed inside.
Rambutans are more or less in season year-round, and peak season is May through November.
Substitution: Lychee is the perfect substitute. Lychees are a bit sweeter and softer, and would certainly make a fabulous lychee martini.
How to Make a Rambutan Martini
- First, make simple syrup. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and place it over medium-high heat. Heat just until the sugar has dissolved, then pour this into a small bowl to cool.
- Next, prepare the rambutans. They should be easy to peel with your fingers. (You might need to make a small cut at the top to get you started.) Use your fingers to dig into the flesh to remove the seed.
- A thin, white layer from the seed might remain on the flesh -- don’t try to remove this -- it’s very soft and doesn’t detract from the flavor.
- Place the rambutans in a cocktail shaker with the vodka, lime juice, vanilla, ice, and cooled simple syrup. Cover and shake fairly vigorously for about 30 seconds.
- Strain into two martini glasses and add a few of the pieces of the rambutan flesh that you strained out as well. You can garnish with some of the rambutan skin (though it's not edible) and a lime wedge if desired.
* Fun Fact * Though rambutan may look prickly, they're not at all -- they're soft! Their name comes from the Malaysian word for hair, "rambut".
Recipe Tips and Notes
- As I mentioned, you can also make a lychee martini, simply substituting it for the rambutan.
- You can likely find canned rambutan (and lychee). Just be sure to drain them well -- especially if they're in syrup.
- If you can't find fresh rambutans at your local Asian market, you can order them here.
- Did you happen to notice those pretty, unusual limes in my photo? Those are Finger Limes, and they are fantastic.
- If possible, use a good vodka -- I like Ketel One or Belvedere.
More Recipes Using Rambutans
Other Exotic Fruits and Their Uses
I hope you enjoy this tropical, sweet and fun drink! Cheers!
Rambutan Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 8 fresh rambutans
- 4 to 5 ounces vodka
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Make simple syrup. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and place it over medium-high heat. Heat just until the sugar has dissolved, then pour this into a small bowl to cool. (This is called simple syrup.)
- Prepare the rambutans. Peel and pit the rambutans. A ripe rambutan should be easy to peel with your fingers. (You might need to make a small cut at the top to get you started.) Be very gentle as you carefully remove the thin skin from the fruit. It will likely come off in just a few pieces.Now use your fingers to dig into the flesh of the rambutan to remove the seed. It should very easily slide right out. You’ll notice a very thin, white layer from the white seed, that will remain on the the inside of the fruit. Don’t try to remove this — it’s very soft and doesn’t detract from the flavor of the fruit. (If you try to remove it, you might loose a lot of juice in the process.)
- Mix all of the ingredients. Place the rambutans in a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, lime juice, vanilla, ice, and cooled simple syrup. Cover and shake fairly vigorously for about 30 seconds.
- Strain. Strain into two martini glasses and add a few of the pieces of the rambutan flesh that you strained out as well.
- Garnish. Garnish each glass with a small lime wedge and part of the rambutan skin. (Use a paring knife to make a small slit in each, to attach it to the rim of the glass.)
NOTES
NUTRITION
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Linda K. Smith
TRY TITO'S HANDMADE VODKA TOO. IT'S OUTSTANDING!
valentina
Oh, I will definitely try Tito's! Thank you, Linda! xoxo
madamelaw
Wow! This looks good. As an asian descendant, I think this is a must-try recipe. Your pictures look great too. I am definitely following you. 🙂
Keep it up!
valentina
So happy to have you following my recipes! Thank you! 🙂
Diana
i live in Indonesia, and I have Rambutan tree planted in my front yard! It's now in season, so it's really cool coming across your recipe 🙂 Never have Rambutan look so chic.. haha
definitely going to try this! thank you.
valentina
Thank you, Dinana! You are so fortunate to have a Rambutan tree! Must be beautiful! 🙂
Veena Azmanov
This is so unique and interesting. Something new to my addition of refreshments.
valentina
Yes! Thank you!.
Laura
Oh this cocktail sounds so refreshing! Haha did you know that the literal translation of 'rambutan' from Indonesian means 'hairy thing'!? Obviously named after those soft little spines, I always laugh because it's such a funny name for a gorgeous tasty little fruit! 🙂 x
valentina
How funny! I didn't know that and of course it makes sense and yes, it's ironic for such a pretty little fruit. 😀
Krissy Allori
Nothing I like more than a drink after a long day at the office, and this one is new and delicious to try.
valentina
I hope you love it Krissy. Thanks!
Jacqueline Debono
I'd never tasted rambutans before I saw them in the market in Phuket! This is such a cool delicious drink!
valentina
So cool you've been to Phuket, and I dream of being in Italy. Hope you find a rambutan one day. 🙂
Karen
Tried this drink just now and love it! Very refreshing, a little sweet, a little vanilla.
My first suggestion was to try it with Tito’s, but was reminded that Tito’s is a sweet vodka and may make the drink too sweet. If you tried Tito’s let me know what you thought.
valentina
Hi Karen. Thanks so much for writing in and checking out/trying my recipes. I haven't tried it with Tito's. For some reason I've latched on to Ketel one and Belvedere. I should definitely try other brands. I didn't know that it had a sweetness to it. I shall try it and report back when I do. 🙂 ~Valentina