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Passion fruit margaritas have got to be one of the best summer cocktails ever. The flavor of the passion fruit lends itself so well to a cocktail: it's a little sweet, a little tart, and packed with bright tropical flavor and aroma. Plus, these are amazingly easy to make. So if you're looking to up your margarita game with something a little different, passion fruit margaritas are for you.
These guys are also naturally dairy free, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian! So perfect for almost anyone at the party. You can also make these non-alcoholic, simply leave out the tequila and swap the orange liqueur for orange juice!
Passion fruit margaritas strike the perfect balance in a cocktail: tart, sweet, fresh and salty. So easy, and you can batch them!
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What is Passion Fruit?
Passion fruit is filled with a jelly-like consistency, but with crunchy seeds. It's native to South America, specifically Brazil and Argentina. It's used in lots of different ways, including passion fruit cocktails, desserts and salad dressings.
What does Passion Fruit Taste Like?
The fresher it is, the more tart and tangy it is. If you allow them to ripen though (until the skin is slightly wrinkly on the outside), the pulpy flesh gets sweeter and sweeter. It makes the perfect addition to passion fruit margaritas.
Ingredients
- Tequila: the classic. I would suggest a blanco to keep it simple for this recipe, but by all means, sub in your favs.
- Orange Liqueur: This is usually going to be Triple Sec or Grand Marnier. You can use whatever you want, just make sure it's bringing that orange citrus flavor.
- Passion fruit juice: I like the juice/fresh pulp combo option here. I find the juice brings the sweetness needed to balance out the tartness of the actual passion fruit pulp. The pulp also adds some amazing texture to the drink.
- Lime juice: also a must have in a margarita. Please please please use freshly squeezed. It's so much better, I promise you!
- Salt: for the rim. You can definitely use whatever your favorite is here though, a sweet sugar rim would be amazing, as would adding a hint of cayenne for some heat.
- Garnish: fresh orange, lime, or passionfruit.
How to make a Passion Fruit Margarita
I love this one because it's so dang easy. First, you're going to fill your cocktail shaker (I love me a good Boston shaker) halfway with ice.
Next, combine the tequila, orange liqueur, passion fruit nectar, fresh pulp, and lime juice in the shaker.
Rim a rocks glass with salt (or if you like it spicy, combine some salt and cayenne to your taste).
Shake the Boston shaker vigorously for 45-60 seconds. Double strain into a rocks glass with ice.
Garnish with half a fresh passion fruit (this is a super fun way to get people to try it on it's own), fresh lime, or orange slices.
Make it Ahead & Make it by the Pitcher
Having a little soiree? Excellent, I'm coming over. But you can make these before I get there. Here's how:
- 2 C tequila
- 1 C orange liqueur
- 1 C passion fruit nectar
- ½ C lime juice
- ½ C passion fruit pulp
Combine everything in a large pitcher and stir. Set in the fridge until you're ready to party, and serve your passion fruit margaritas on the rocks.
Variations
Spicy
Add a little cayenne pepper to your salt rim - it's delish!
Frozen/Blended
Throw everything in a blender with about a cup of ice (depending on how thick you like it), and pour!
Virgin/Non-Alcoholic
Omit the tequila completely, and swap the orange liqueur for orange juice. Keep everything else the same.
How to Serve
I would serve this margarita on the rocks, in a rocks glass (although you definitely don't have to). The drinks will already be cold from shaking them with ice, so it's really your preference!
Other Awesome Cocktails to Try
Recipe
Passion Fruit Margaritas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- ½ oz lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 oz passion fruit juice
- ½ oz passion fruit pulp
- 1 tablespoon salt for the rim
- fresh orange, lime or passion fruit for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, passion fruit juice and pulp into your cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 45-60 seconds. Pour into a rocks glass (with or without ice). Garnish and serve.
Tavo says
One of the best margaritas I have had! I love passion fruit, and the recipe was spot on!
Cara says
Thank you so much Tavo, so glad you liked it!
Colleen says
We did the blender version on the weekend and these passionfruit margaritas were a huge hit. Delicious and refreshing!
Cara says
Thanks so much Colleen, I'm so glad you liked them!
Hailey says
Absolutely delicious! I love that the recipe includes pulp and juice for maximum texture and flavor.
Cara says
Thank you Hailey - I couldn't leave the pulp out!
Heather says
I love passionfruit! Never though to add to a margarita....this was absolutely addicting!
Cara says
Thank you Heather, I'm so excited you liked it!
Sharon says
Exception drink! Excellent information and directions on how to make it! Picture is also amazing!
Cara says
Thank you Sharon, I'm so glad you liked them!
Norma says
So refreshing and love this passion fruit variation!
Cara says
Thank you so much Norma! I hope your hostess is making these for you every day 🙂
Krista says
These are my new favourite summer drink! Loved them!
Cara says
Yay! Thanks Krista, I'm so glad!
dan campbell says
These are great and will really impress a crowd. Nothing like your guests telling you that you just served them the best cocktail they have ever had.
And so easy to make. I also prefer the Boston shaker.
Cara says
Thank you Dan! I'm so glad you and your guest liked them 🙂