The passion fruit is a perfect example of how good things can come in small packages. Bursting with tropical sweet and tangy flavor, its powerful juice will add a zing to any drink it touches. Each serving of this Passion Fruit and Mint Cooler uses a whole passion fruit to yield a meagre yet potent ½ oz. (15 ml) of juice.
The taste of a passion fruit can vary considerably based on ripeness. When under-ripe, it has a more tangy and sour flavor that can benefit from a little more sweetener to balance the drink. Use your judgment and adjust the amount of agave syrup to suit your taste.
I find that fresh passion fruit has a pleasant floral and musky aroma that you don’t find in the bottled versions of the juice. Making your own juice is well worth the effort.
Ingredients
- ½ oz. (15 ml) passion fruit juice (from 1 passion fruit)
- ½ oz. (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (from ½ lime)
- ½ oz. (15 ml) agave syrup
- 8 mint leaves
- 4 oz. (120 ml) soda water or sparkling water
- Sprig of mint and slice of lime, to garnish (optional)
- Ice
Equipment
- Knife
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Bowl
- Citrus juicer
- Muddler
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Cocktail shaker
- Cocktail spoon
- Rocks glass (or tumbler)
Instructions
- Cut the passion fruit in half. Over a bowl, press the seeds and flesh through a fine-mesh sieve to separate the juice from the solids.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice.
- Add the passion fruit juice, agave syrup and a handful of ice.
- Shake for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is extremely cold.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and use a cocktail spoon to gently mix together.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint and a slice of lime.
Similar Mocktails
If you liked the Passionate Side, check out:
- Tropical Zinger: Pineapple, Coconut and Ginger Non-Alcoholic Cooler
- Paloma Fake: Non-Alcoholic Paloma
Passion Fruit and Mint Cooler FAQ
Can I use store bought passion fruit juice instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use passion fruit juice bought from your local supermarket but it won’t have the same flavor as making it fresh. Bottled juices can contain added sweeteners and preservatives that can distort the flavor of the fresh fruit too.
Can I use dried mint instead of fresh mint?
I’d recommend using fresh mint to impart the best flavor. If necessary, you can use dried mint but the flavor will be slightly different.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the mocktail?
You can adjust the sweetness of the mocktail by adding more or less agave syrup. If you like your drinks on the sour side, start with 7.5 ml and slowly increase the amount of syrup until you’ve reached your desired sweetness level.
Can I make this mocktail ahead of time?
Yes, you can make and strain the passion fruit, lime and mint mixture ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you are ready to serve, simply pour over ice and top with soda water.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of agave syrup?
Yes, you can substitute agave syrup with alternative sweeteners such as simple syrup (1:1 parts water and sugar), maple syrup or honey.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes one serving. If you want to make multiple drinks, you can scale up the ingredients accordingly.
Can I use a different type of glass instead of a rocks glass?
Yes. If you don’t have a rocks glass, you can use a tumbler instead.
Can I use a different type of fruit instead of passion fruit?
Yes, for a variation on this mocktail, you can experiment with different types of tropical fruit, such as mango, pineapple or kiwi.
Can I make this mocktail without a cocktail shaker?
Yes. You don’t really need a cocktail shaker for this recipe. You simply need a glass or bowl to muddle the mint and lime. Then strain the liquid into the serving glass to remove the used mint leaves. From there, add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine.
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