PREP TIME 5 min
If you’re looking for a cocktail that speaks to all your love languages, then our Passionfruit Gin cocktail is perfect for your Valentine. The bitter botanicals of the gin pair so perfectly with the sweet-tart passionfruit and sparkly soda, a winning combination that makes this one of our favourite passionfruit cocktails.
In a mason jar, cocktail shaker or jug, mix together the gin, lemon juice, passionfruit pulp and seeds and the simple syrup.
Stir or shake well. Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice, pour in the gin mix and top up with soda water
Garnish with a lemon slice and extra passionfruit pulp for ultimate indulgence
Passionfruit, or Passiflora edulis, is a delectable fruit native to South America and, more recently, cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. It’s adored for its sweet and tangy taste, and easily identified by its hard and smooth dark purple skin that wrinkles as it ripens. When cut open, it reveals a bright yellow pulp filled with black seeds with gorgeous tropical smell that’s appealingly tart and quite acidic. Just like lime juice, passionfruit brings an acidity that makes it a perfect match for cocktails, particularly gin-based ones like our recipe below, as well as creamy flavours, like in a Pornstar Martini, that balance out its intense taste.
This Passionfruit Gin Cocktail is part of the Tom Collins gin-based cocktail family, but our version is delightfully stirred with passionfruit pulp. Start with a top-quality gin such as a Bulldog London Dry Gin, or Bickens Premium Distilled for a good base, then add freshly squeezed lemon juice along with the passion fruit pulp. Stir easily in a jug or large glass, pour over ice into a highball or Collins glass, and top up with some soda water for fizz.
Choosing a perfectly ripe passionfruit is key, so pick a one that feels heavy and is purple or yellow in colour with wrinkled skin. Wrinkly skin means that fruit is riper and sweeter, so avoid ones with spots, bruising or discolouration. If your passion fruit is wrinkly and the pulp is super sweet, you need less syrup. If you have a tarter tasting one, then go easy on the lemon juice.
If you’ve fallen in love with the simplicity of this passionfruit gin cocktail but want to upgrade it with a tasty twist, experiment with flavoured gins. Bickens do a delicious pink gin with a grapefruit base, which makes a fabulous pairing with passionfruit. For more of a citrusy boost, try an O’ndina Gin, a zesty goodness-worthy made in small batches with Southern Italian lemons and oranges. A gin with creamy vanilla notes will also work well in this delicious drink.
For an impressive serve that your guests will adore, garnish with a slice of lemon and extra pulp. Add pretty edible flowers for a touch of gorgeousness if serving this cocktail at a wedding or garden party.
Our passionfruit drink blends really well with other fruits to create a more tropical flavour. For pink passion, muddle in some raspberries or strawberries, or try it with mango and pineapple for island vibes. Other great combinations are papaya and kiwi.
