Passion Fruit Margarita – The perfect summer drink is here! The classic margarita gets a tropical makeover with passion fruit and lime juice in this exotic summer cocktail. It’s a tart, tangy, sweet sensation that’s sure to make your summer even better!
While I was growing up, passion fruit was a staple in my home. My aunt would serve her thirst-quenching passion fruit juice when the neighborhood kids and I took a break from playing. However, it wasn’t until many years later, on vacation in Mexico, that I tasted a passion fruit margarita!
I was blown away by both the aroma and the bold flavor combinations. When I returned home, the first thing I did was try my hand at recreating and personalizing that appetizing drink! Although I can’t travel to Mexico every year, every time I make this unique drink, it transports me back to that tropical paradise.
What is Passion Fruit?
Passion fruit is a round or oval-shaped fruit that can be yellow, red, purple, or green. The fruit grows on a vine in many South American and African countries, parts of the US, and other countries. Inside, it has a juicy, edible pulp stuffed with numerous seeds. Both the pulp and the seeds are edible, although the seeds are pretty tart.
Recipe Ingredients
- Tequila – You can use any kind of tequila, although I usually lean towards the clean flavor of tequila blanco.
- Passion Fruit Puree – Transfer the passion fruit pulp into a blender and then strain out the seeds to make a puree. The puree is best if you can make it with fresh, ripe passion fruit, but you may have to opt for store-bought puree if passion fruit isn’t in season.
- Simple Syrup – Easy to make with just two ingredients: sugar and water! You can reduce the amount if you want a tangier margarita.
- Cointreau – This will give your drink an extra citrus kick! It can be substituted with Grand Marnier for a sweeter and more intense flavor.
- Lime Juice – Lime juice adds a touch of freshness to the margarita. It can be mixed with lemon juice for an extra layer of flavor.
- Ice – Nobody likes a room-temperature margarita! Ice is essential for shaking and for keeping things cool!
- Garnish – Rimming the glass with salt is a must! Additionally, I use mint leaves and passion fruit seeds to add extra flavor and boost the visual appeal of this drink.
How to Make Passion Fruit Margaritas
- Prepare the Glasses – Rim a glass with fresh lime. Twist in salt and set aside. (Photos 1-4)
- Make the Margaritas – Add all the ingredients into a shaker and shake well. (Photos 5-7)
- Strain into a glass, either as it is or with more ice. (Photo 8)
- Garnish – Top with mint leaves, passion fruit slices, and lime slices. You can also top with a few of the seeds that are relatively separated.
Recipe Variations
- On an extra-hot day, turn this into a frozen margarita by putting all the ingredients into a blender with ice and blending them together.
- The lime juice can be substituted for orange juice or pure lemon juice. Both give the drink a slightly different citrus flavor.
- Add a kiss of heat to your cocktail by rimming the glass with chili lime salt instead of regular salt.
- You can replace Cointreau with triple sec, but the flavor is subtler. So feel free to bump up the citrus juice!
Tips and Tricks
- Table salt will work for rimming the glass, but I think you’ll notice a big improvement if you opt for kosher salt or flaky sea salt.
- Feel free to adjust any ingredient to your palate. Adding extra lime juice or Cointreau will make the drink tangier and tarter, whereas increasing the amount of simple syrup will add sweetness.
- Not everyone has the perfect margarita glasses at home. Why not serve the drinks in mason jars for a bit of fun? Any wide-rimmed cocktail glass will work, as well.
Make-Ahead Instructions
These margaritas come together as easy as uno, dos, tres! However, if you choose to use all homemade ingredients, you will probably want to make the puree and the sugar syrup ahead of time. The sugar syrup can be kept on hand for up to a month.
And if you want to have the margaritas ready and chilled for when your guests arrive, you can make a pitcher of margaritas earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge. Of course, you’ll want to give it a quick stir before serving!
Serving and Storage Instructions
Best served freshly made and super cold! In the event you have leftovers (highly doubtful, if you ask me!), you can store these cocktails in the fridge for two weeks!
FAQs
There are different variations, but the easiest way is to boil a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water in a saucepan on the stovetop until the sugar completely dissolves (5-10 minutes). Then simply allow it to cool and serve in your favorite cocktail!
Generally speaking, store-bought or prepared ingredients can often be used if you’re short on time. But I’m a stickler for fresh lime juice because it has a vibrant flavor that bottled juice can never imitate. My vote is for fresh lime juice all the way!
This is a gorgeous drink that calls for the perfect finishing touches! I usually sprinkle some passion fruit seeds on top of the cocktail. Some will stay suspended in the liquid and add a bit of texture. You can also sprinkle a few mints or basil leaves on top to create a nice color contrast. Or, for a twist, throw on a slice of jalapeño for Mexican night!
What to Serve With Passion Fruit Margaritas
I love to recreate the moment I discovered this sensational margarita and go full-on Mexican! Think Beef Birria Tacos and Chicken Enchiladas for the main course. And who can resist a light and fluffy Tres Leches Cake or a rich and creamy Chocoflan for dessert?
More Refreshing Summer Drink Recipes to Try
Since summer is the season of fruity drinks, take advantage of the season and try one of these thirst-quenchers! I’ve included some non-alcoholic numbers, as well. Remember to always drink responsibly!
Conclusion
It’s time to get passionate about a passion fruit margarita! This tropical delight is the perfect summer beverage, whether you’re hosting a Mexican fiesta or just chilling at home on a little staycation. Please rate the recipe below and let me know what you thought of this refreshing and exciting twist on a classic.
Watch How to Make It
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Passion Fruit Margarita
Ingredients
- Lime wedges or slices, for rimming and garnish
- Salt, for rimming the glass
- ¼ cup (118ml) tequila
- ¼ cup (118ml) passion fruit puree
- 2 tablespoons (25g) sugar syrup
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Cointreau
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) lime juice
- 4 mint leaves
- 4 cubes of ice, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Rim the glasses with a fresh lime wedge, twist in salt, and set aside.
- Add the rest of the ingredients into a shaker and shake well.
- Strain into a glass, either as it is or with more ice.
- Top with mint leaves, passion fruit slices, and lime wedges or slices. You can also top with a few of the seeds that have been separated.
Tips & Notes:
- Table salt will work for rimming the glass, but I think you’ll notice a big improvement if you opt for kosher salt or flaky sea salt.
- Feel free to adjust the amount to your palate. Adding extra lime juice or Cointreau will make the drink tangier and tarter, whereas increasing the amount of simple syrup will add sweetness.
- Not everyone has the perfect margarita glasses at home. Why not serve the drinks in mason jars for a bit of fun? Any wide-rimmed cocktail glass will work, as well.
- Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
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