Lychee Agar Jelly Cubes (Printer-friendly)

Translucent lychee agar cubes in fizzy yuzu water, brightened with mint and citrus for a refreshing summer finish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Lychee Agar Jelly

01 - 400 ml lychee juice (from canned lychees, drained and reserved)
02 - 1 tbsp agar-agar powder
03 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
04 - 8 whole canned lychees (optional, to embed in jelly)

→ Sparkling Yuzu Water

05 - 500 ml sparkling water, chilled
06 - 60 ml yuzu juice (fresh or bottled)
07 - 2 tbsp simple syrup (adjust to taste)
08 - Ice cubes, as needed

→ Garnish

09 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)
10 - Thin slices of lime or yuzu (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine lychee juice, agar-agar powder, and sugar. Whisk until fully dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer for 2 minutes to activate agar. Pour the mixture into a square or rectangular mold. If desired, cut the reserved lychees in half and evenly distribute them throughout the liquid. Let cool slightly, then refrigerate for about 1–2 hours until fully set.
02 - Once set, remove the jelly from the mold and cut into 2 cm cubes. Place several jelly cubes into individual serving glasses.
03 - In a pitcher, combine chilled sparkling water, yuzu juice, and simple syrup. Stir gently.
04 - Add ice cubes to each glass with jelly cubes. Pour sparkling yuzu water over the jelly cubes. Garnish with mint leaves and citrus slices, if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You&aposs feel like you snuck an elaborate dessert from a cafe into your own home, minus the fuss.
  • This is my go-to when I want a dessert that&aposs just as pretty as it is cooling, light, and not overly sweet.
02 -
  • Skimping on simmering time for agar will leave you with sloshy jelly mush—let it bubble, even if you&aposre impatient.
  • The difference between cubes that cloud and ones that glimmer is in the thoroughness of your whisking and your patience as the mixture cools before refrigerating.
03 -
  • Always dissolve your agar-agar before heating to avoid undissolved bits ruining your jelly&aposss texture.
  • The real secret: pour the jelly while still just warm—not piping hot—so the embedded lychees stay suspended and don&apost sink.
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