Quick Answer
Lychee oolong is an oolong tea base mixed with lychee syrup (or canned lychee and its syrup); with black tea it becomes lychee black tea. Lychee aroma is delicate, so it pairs best with light, floral oolongs (Four Seasons, Jin Xuan) or Ceylon black tea. Shops fix the amount of tea and syrup per cup, adjust sweetness by their chart, then shake with ice; add lychee pieces, crystal boba or nata de coco for texture.
Choosing the tea base
| Tea base | Flavor | With lychee |
|---|---|---|
| Four Seasons, light oolong | Floral, fresh | Most common; lychee aroma stands out |
| Jin Xuan | Soft milky, round | Smooth and gentle |
| Ceylon black tea | Bright, slightly brisk | The classic lychee black tea base |
| Dark-roast oolong | Heavy roast | Tends to mask lychee; rarely used |
Lychee sources: syrup, canned, jam
- Lychee syrup: consistent aroma and sweetness, fast to serve, ideal for chains and overseas shops; see lychee syrup.
- Canned lychee: whole fruit for toppings; the syrup also sweetens. See using canned fruit.
- Syrup + canned fruit: aroma from syrup, texture from fruit, a common combination.
Shop method and ratio basics
- Set the tea volume per cup size (e.g. 500 ml, 700 ml) and brew slightly stronger than straight tea so it stays flavorful after ice.
- Set lychee syrup dosage by test batches and write it into your SOP; see the fruit syrup dosage chart.
- Top up sweetness with fructose rather than overloading syrup.
- Add toppings after shaking: lychee pieces, crystal boba or nata de coco.
Popular variations
| Drink | Build |
|---|---|
| Lychee oolong sparkling | Shake tea and lychee syrup, then top with sparkling water; see how to make sparkling drinks |
| Lychee oolong jelly | Add oolong or lychee jelly for texture |
| Lychee rose | A touch of rose flavor with lychee, great as a seasonal special |
| Lychee slush | Lychee syrup + ice + smoothie powder, blended |
How Tang Sugar can help
Tang Sugar supplies lychee syrup, Four Seasons oolong, Ceylon black tea and toppings such as crystal boba, quoted together and consolidated in one shipment.
Products in this article
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FAQ
Which tea is used for lychee oolong?
Usually Four Seasons or light oolong, which are floral and do not mask lychee; lychee black tea often uses Ceylon.
Does lychee oolong have caffeine?
Yes, from the oolong tea; the amount depends on brew strength.
Lychee syrup or canned lychee?
Syrup gives consistent aroma and sweetness and is fast; canned lychee adds fruit texture. Many shops use both.
What is lychee oolong called in Chinese?
荔枝烏龍 (lìzhī wūlóng); lychee black tea is 荔枝紅茶.
Related Reading
How to Make Fruit Tea for a Bubble Tea Shop: Syrup, Jam, Canned Fruit and Fresh Fruit Compared
What Is Qing Tea (Green Oolong)? Oolong vs Green Tea, and How Four Seasons and Jin Xuan Fit In
How to Use Fruit Syrup in Bubble Tea: Dosage Chart for 500ml and 700ml Cups and Preparation StepsAlso see: Lychee syrup (product)
