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 cocktail.
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A Rambutan Martini Recipe — I’m calling it a Rambutini. Fun!
Have you ever seen one? Tried one?
I’d seen these jewels before, but didn’t know their name until last week when I was fortunate enough to learn about this super cool, exotic fruit from Melissa’s Produce.
What is a rambutan, you ask?
A rambutan is a very beautiful and unique looking fruit that’s closely related to a lychee.
What does a rambutan taste like?
While its delicious taste is similar to a lychee, it’s slightly firmer in texture and a bit less sweet — though still quite sweet!
So, it’s somewhat like an extra sweet grape, without the skin and a with a pit in the center.
You should be able to find rambutans in Asian markets — their season seems to vary, depending on where they’re grown, but it’s roughly July through October. I haven’t see too many rambutan recipes, and I’m pleased with my first creation using them.
This is a delightful tropical cocktail to serve at your next dinner party!
And speaking of dinner parties. . . . I had a small one last night and I’m hoping I can inspire you to recreate it this weekend.
Almost every day this week, I’ll be sharing components of the entrée, so you can make it for your guests.
And the entrée is. . . . Muscato Grape-Shallot Pork Chops with Mashed Okinawan Sweet Potato and Citrus Steamed Asparagus.
Who’s excited? Okay, excellent — but let’s start with a cocktail, shall we?
Cheers to Rambutini fruit, and a Rambutan Martini! I hope to make more rambutan recipes in the future, and I’ll share them when I do.
Serving a guest a Rambutan Martini (AKA Rambutini), at your next dinner party, will make you a star! This exotic fruit lends itself to this refreshing, festive cocktail.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 8 fresh rambutans
- 4 to 5 ounces vodka
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup ice
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Add the sugar and water to a small sauce pan 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.)
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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.
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Now use your fingers to dig into the flesh of the rambutan to remove the pit. It should very easily slide right out. Now use your fingers to dig into the lychee a bit to remove the pit. It should very easily slide right out.
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You’ll notice a very thin, white layer from the white pit, 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.)
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Place the rambutan in a cocktail shaker and and muddle only until they are broken enough to release their juices. (You can use muddler or a wooden spatula.)
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Add the vodka, lime juice, vanilla, ice, and cooled simple syrup. Cover and shake fairly vigorously for about 30 seconds.
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Strain into two martini glasses and add a few of the pieces of the rambutan flesh that you strained out as well.
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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.)
You can also make a lychee martini, simply submitting them for the rambutan. You can likely find both fruits canned, and that will work, too. However, it's much more fun to use fresh, if you can find them.
If you can't find rambutans at your local Asian market, you can order them here.
Did you happen to notice those pretty, unusual limes? Those are Finger Limes.
Please use a good vodka -- I like Ketel One or Belvedere.
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".
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Linda K. Smith says
September 25, 2012 at 9:29 pmTRY TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA TOO. IT’S OUTSTANDING!
valentina says
September 26, 2012 at 6:40 amOh, I will definitely try Tito’s! Thank you, Linda! xoxo
madamelaw says
September 26, 2012 at 12:16 amWow! 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 says
September 26, 2012 at 6:40 amSo happy to have you following my recipes! Thank you! 🙂
Diana says
November 29, 2012 at 8:05 ami 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 says
November 29, 2012 at 3:31 pmThank you, Dinana! You are so fortunate to have a Rambutan tree! Must be beautiful! 🙂
Natalie says
February 5, 2019 at 9:42 pmI never tasted Rambutan before, but it sure looks and sounds so interesting!
valentina says
February 6, 2019 at 7:34 pmIt’s so good, Natalie – you’ll love it!
Veena Azmanov says
February 5, 2019 at 10:13 pmThis is so unique to me and looks very interesting. Something new to my addition of refreshments. Need to sip one immediately.
valentina says
February 6, 2019 at 7:34 pmYes! Thank you!.
Laura | Wandercooks says
February 5, 2019 at 10:29 pmOh 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 says
February 6, 2019 at 7:38 pmHow 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 says
February 5, 2019 at 10:31 pmNothing I like more than a drinks after a long day at the office. This is going to be something new and delicious to try. Cant wait!!
valentina says
February 6, 2019 at 7:39 pmI hope you love it Krissy. Thanks!
Cliona Keane says
February 6, 2019 at 2:52 amAs someone who is 37 weeks pregnant I am looking at this and dreaming! Definitely going on my ‘drinks to make once I’ve popped my baby out’ list!
valentina says
February 6, 2019 at 7:39 pmHa! I bet that’s fun list. 🙂 Congratulations! 🙂
Jacqueline Debono says
February 6, 2019 at 4:02 amI have never tasted rambutans before but I think I saw them in the market in Phuket! This is such a cool drink! Need to see if I can find this fruit here in Italy!
valentina says
February 6, 2019 at 7:41 pmSo cool you’ve been to Phuket, and I dream of being in Italy. Hope you find a rambutan one day. 🙂