What is passion fruit puree for cocktails?

Whether used in a juice, syrup, purée or liqueur, passion fruit adds a punch of fruity flavor to cocktails. The plant is native to South America, so it’s a natural fit for drinks made with rum or cachaça, but as these recipes show, the tropical fruit’s flavor complements aged spirits like whiskey and applejack.

Baby ZombieApplejack sets this Zombie riff apart.

The CoronadoPassion fruit juice and coconut water give this cocktail a hit of tropical sunshine.

Don the Beachcomber’s Kona CocktailA passion fruit syrup anchors this tiki recipe adapted by tiki historian Jeff “Beachbum” Berry.

The EmojiA summery spirit-free cocktail with cold-brew, orgeat and passion fruit.

HighwaymanBourbon, Scotch and rum combine with coffee liqueur and passion fruit liqueur.

Life on Freezy StreetA breezy blend of Sav Blanc, passion fruit liqueur, apricot, citrus and honey.

Lost Lake CocktailThe namesake cocktail for the Chicago tiki bar features rum, Campari, pineapple, maraschino and passion fruit syrup.

Maracuya CaipirinhaA sweeter, seasonal Caipirinha.

Meauxbar Rum CocktailThe Hurricane cocktail, all grown up, made with passion fruit syrup.

Old Injustices NegroniA juicy spin on the Negroni with passion fruit purée, gin and Campari.

Oil State SunriseDry rosé sets a pretty tone for this highball.

Passion Fruit FroséFrosé meets passion fruit in this breezy treat.

Permanent HolidayA warm tiki drink made with amaro, whiskey, grapefruit and passion fruit syrup.

Pobrecito Passion Fruit CocktailRye whiskey builds a sturdy backbone for this rich, fruity cocktail from Phoenix.

Resting Spritz Face Celebrate spritz season with this amped up version that features two kinds of Italian aperitivo, citrus and passion fruit.

The SaturnA classic tiki cocktail made with gin and passion fruit.

That Party Last NightA whiskey-fueled punch for two with passion fruit syrup.

Virgin’s SacrificeA frozen riff on the Carter Beats the Devil cocktail.

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This fresh passion fruit martini is made with vodka and passion fruit puree. It is the perfect summer drink for entertaining that is slightly tart and just the right amount of sweetness.

Need more cocktail ideas for entertaining? Check out this list of the Most Popular Cocktails or these fancier cocktails that are perfect for a classy event.

Garnish your martini with a slice of passion fruit.

It's summertime and this passion fruit vodka martini is calling your name!

If you've never had passion fruit before, you need to try it! It is a uniquely sweet fruit that is slightly tart. It is incredibly easy to scoop out if you can find it fresh.

If you cannot find fresh passion fruit at your local grocery store, you can use frozen passion fruit which is a delicious alternative which I actually prefer over fresh. See why below!

This passion fruit martini is tangy, unique and so refreshing!

If you're looking for another refreshing summer drink, try out my Classic Margarita Pitchers , Bourbon Smash, Gin Aperol Sour or this unique Avocado Margarita.

Some of these ingredients are interchangeable. See notes below.

Ingredients Notes

• Passion fruit- Look for passion fruit puree or frozen passion fruit. They both are more concentrated and result in a richer drink.
• Vodka- Since this recipe has just a few ingredients, use the best vodka you can find.
• Lime Juice- Use freshly squeezed lime juice. Never use the bottled stuff.
• Orange Liqueur- You can use triple sec or Cointreau.
• Vanilla- I used extract but if you have vanilla pods, you can use some of the seeds instead.
• Agave- I prefer this as a sweetener to simple syrup. If you don't have this, you can use honey or simple syrup as a last resort.

💗 Love vodka drinks? Check out this list of juices and mixers that pair well with vodka.

About Passion Fruit

Passion fruit is a slightly tart but sweet fruit. It is pretty exotic looking but very flavorful.

If you are fortunate enough to find fresh passion fruit near you, grab a few. Passion fruit are ripe when the exterior looks wrinkly like in the photo below.

🍹Love fruity cocktails? Check out this awesome drink list!

Easily remove the pulp by scooping out with a spoon. You can strain the seeds if you prefer.

You can eat the seeds and pulp as is, add them to the cocktail shaker or add them on top of your martini as a garnish.

If you wish to strain the seeds, you can do so by scooping the pulp out and pushing the it through a fine sieve. You can also add the pulp and seeds to a food processor to get a smoother consistency.

Where To Buy Passion Fruit

FRESH passion fruit is not easy to find. It is something that is usually sold during the summer months. Even then, not all grocery store carry fresh passion fruit.

I found some fresh ones in my local Whole foods in July.

I like to use fresh passion fruit mainly for the seeds and presentation purposes so if you cannot find some, it's okay...because I have a better alternative that is also cheaper.

Frozen passion fruit can be found in the freezer aisle in most grocery stores.

FROZEN passion fruit!

I was easily able to find frozen passion fruit in the frozen food aisle near the frozen fruit and veggies. Pitaya brand has a lot of frozen fruit options. This bag was chopped up into bite-sized pieces making it perfect for tossing in the blender!

I actually prefer using frozen passion fruit to fresh because passion fruit itself isn't very cheap. Whatever leftover fruit you don't use, you can simply stash it in the freezer for months without any waste.

Plus, I find that the flavor is more concentrated when you purchase it frozen.

Why This Recipe Is Unique

Many passion fruit martinis contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Passoã which is a passion fruit liqueur. It is difficult to find and not something I keep stocked in my bar cabinet.
• Passion fruit vodka- which is also difficult to find and does not offer that natural passion fruit flavor.
• Passion fruit juice (cocktail)- This is not as rich as passion fruit puree/pulp is since it's not as concentrated. Plus, juices are usually sweetened with MORE sugar.
• Simple syrup- Passion fruit is already sweet so I don't think it's needed.

☀️ Looking for a fun vibrant summer cocktail? Try a refreshing Paper Plane!

Preparing Your Passion Fruit

Add the frozen passion fruit to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. You will get a thick frozen puree. If it is hot outside, you can simply add it as is to your cocktail shaker and serve as a cold, refreshing frozen martini.

Save leftover passion fruit puree in a plastic baggie and refreeze.

If you would prefer your martini to be cold but not frozen, simply allow your passion fruit puree to thaw for a half hour or so on the counter.

Then add the puree to a cocktail shaker and shake according to the directions.

To cut into a fresh passion fruit, use a serrated knife (one with edges). The exterior shell of the fruit is pretty tough so it will help cut through the fruit.

Tip* Pop your martini glasses and cocktail shaker in the freezer 30 minutes before filling to make sure your martini is icy cold!

Tips For Making Your Martini

I only have 3 tips when making this passion fruit martini. They are to:

1. Make sure everything is super cold. It IS a summer drink after all.
2. Use the best, freshest ingredients.
3. "Shake it like a polaroid picture!"

Well, not exactly like a polaroid but you get what I mean.

When using freshly pureed fruit, pulp or a puree, you NEED to shake your martini. Stirring wont allow all of the ingredients to mix properly.

Add all ingredients to a large cocktail shaker with plenty of ice and shake VIGOROUSLY for 20-30 seconds. You can't over-shake!

Other Martini Variations

I tried to keep this passion fruit martini recipe pretty simple to allow the passion fruit to shine however, if you like your martinis with a twist or a bit sweeter, here are some other options:

• Simple syrup, agave, sugar, honey- These will sweeten up your martini and can be added to your liking.
• Other flavored vodkas- Vanilla vodka (in place of the extract), pineapple or coconut flavored vodka would be great additions too. Keep in mind these are also sweeter.
• Prosecco- A splash is commonly added AFTER shaking your martini. Simply add a splash on top of your martini for a bubbly finish. If you love champagne, you will love this addition!
• Fresh basil or mint- Fresh herbs add a brightness and pop of color to any cocktail. These would be my go-to herbs.
• Egg white- Adding an egg white to your shaker will give your martini a beautiful white, frothy finish while adding a silky texture. Learn how to how to add egg whites properly to cocktails.
• Pineapple juice- Add an ounce of fresh pineapple juice for a tropical splash.

🍸Looking for Fancy Cocktails? Check out this list of Classy Cocktails you will love!

Items Needed:

Martini Glasses- These are 6 oz. and perfect for this recipe.

Passion Fruit- This is the frozen kind I use in this recipe. You can order off Amazon here.

Cocktail Shaker- This martini needs to be shaken vigorously so a shaker is a must!

FAQ's

Can I add prosecco to my martini?

Yes! If you don't have prosecco on hand choose any DRY champagne so it does not make your martini overly sweet.

Can I use passion fruit juice instead of puree?

I do not recommend this. Passion fruit juice is watered down and will result in a watered down drink.

How do I make simple syrup?

Combine equal parts water with equal parts white sugar and bring to a simmer over the stove until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let cool before using.

How do you know when passion fruit is ripe?

The exterior will be a deep purple and wrinkly like in the photos above.

Can I use rum in this martini?

You CAN but the flavors will be different.

🍹 Hosting a cocktail party? Check out my tips for How To Host A Cocktail Party At Home!

Serve chilled with a passion fruit floater or lime garnish.

Appetizers To Serve With This Martini:

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EASY Crab Ceviche with Avocado

Dynamite Shrimp Tempura (w/ Sriracha Aioli)

Spicy Garlic Roasted Chickpeas (Extra Crispy)

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