Passion Fruit Martini

Velvety and luxurious, the pretty Passion Fruit Martini delights with fruity flavor and tropical vibes. This vibrant cocktail blends sweet passion fruit with a hint of vanilla, creating a smooth, irresistible drink that’s perfect for any occasion.

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About this Passion Fruit Martini recipe

What’s the most underrated item in your produce section? Mine is passion fruit. I found passion fruits this summer and was so excited to bring them home. It is too overlooked, for me.

Passion fruit is something I grew up eating with yogurt for breakfast at my grandparents’ house, so it’s a total nostalgic treat for me to find now!

It’s also a delightful cocktail ingredient. In this Passion Fruit Martini, there’s so much to love: It’s full of sweet-tart tropical vibes with hints of soft vanilla and and tangy lime. And you can serve it with an extra side of sparkling wine if you like!

While it does have a longer ingredient list, the drink is relatively easy to put together — just be prepared to shake, shake, shake to get that perfectly coifed layer of light foam on top.

More passion fruit recipes: Passion Fruit Syrup • Passion Fruit Margarita • Classic Hurricane Cocktail

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll love making and sipping on the passion fruit martini! Here are a few reasons why:

• The passion fruit martini is totally opulent and elegant — so fun for a fancy Friday or dinner party! (Especially if you add the side of champagne…)
• Passion fruit is a delicious flavor to try in your cocktail recipes.
• It’s got tropical and tiki vibes, and it’s a great summer drink.
• Despite a longer ingredient list, it’s relatively simple to put together.

History of the Passion Fruit Martini cocktail

While it’s not a classic martini in the traditional sense, it falls under the category of sweet drinks served in martini glasses, which allows it to borrow the martini name.

There’s another name for this cocktail, but I’ll let you do the math on it: It’s often called an… adult film star martini. It is so-named because the inventor, bartender Douglas Ankrah, felt the cocktail was so luxurious, it was fitting for this type of actor to drink.

Ankrah invented the controversially named drink at the Townhouse bar in London in 2002. And, he added the extra shot of champagne that is traditionally served along with the drink.

You can call it by its provocative name, or stick with passion fruit martini. Some folks call it a maverick martini or a passion star martini, so that’s an option too!

Tools & glassware

For a passion fruit martini, you’ll need a good basic bartending set with a cocktail shaker, strainer and jigger for measuring.

Glassware-wise, you’ll need coupe glasses or martini glasses. If you add the sultry side of sparkling wine, you’ll want some shot glasses on hand as well.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this modern classic cocktail recipe:

• Vanilla vodka: If you’re out of vanilla vodka, you can use regular vodka or add vanilla extract to regular vodka. Here’s how to make homemade vanilla vodka.
• Passion fruit liqueur: Passoã is a brand of hot pink-colored passion fruit liqueur you can find at your liquor store. It adds an extra layer of passion fruit flavor and a rich color.
• Passion fruit purée: You can purée your own passion fruit, or you can use store-bought purée. Some packages may call it passion fruit nectar. I’ve purchased the Funkin brand and have liked it a lot. Passion fruit juice is much lighter in color and less tart, too, so it may not look quite the same but it will still taste good.
• Lime juice: Fresh is best! But keep in mind the store-bought stuff is a bit more tart than fresh lime juice, so you may need to add a little more agave to balance things out.
• Simple syrup: Homemade simple syrup comes together with just two simple ingredients you probably already have at home: sugar and water. No need to buy simple syrup! Honey or agave nectar work too.
• Champagne: This is totally optional, but the original version is served with a luxurious side of sparkling wine in a shot glass! Why not?

Best bottles

There are two kinds of alcohol used in the passion fruit martini. Well, three if you count the sparkling wine on the side! Here’s what to look for when shopping:

• Passion fruit liqueur: Passoã is perhaps the most well-known brand of passion fruit liqueur, but there are other brands out there like Giffard’s Crème de Fruits de la Passion. If you can’t find it, don’t worry. Any clear orange liqueur will work in its place. You can keep it simple with triple sec or go top shelf with Cointreau.
• Vanilla vodka: This vanilla-flavored vodka is a fun addition to your home bar that you can use in drinks to add rich layers of flavor, like a White Russian or a sugar cookie martini. I usually grab Absolut Vanilia but Pinnacle, Smirnoff and Ciroc all make delicious ones.
• Sparkling wine: If you want to add the shot of champagne on the side, go for it. I mean, why not? It’s fun! Since the passion fruit martini is pretty sweet, I’d suggest a dry or semi-dry sparkling wine. Look for the word “brut” or “demi-sec,” respectively, on the label.

Garnishes

A pretty garnish makes any cocktail look more professional. Plus, the aromas from a garnish will enhance every sip.

For a passion fruit martini, a piece of passion fruit takes it over the top. Simply cut a fresh passion fruit in half and float it on top of the cocktail. I don’t recommend cutting slices as the seeds will easily fall out.

Substitutions & variations

Mix things up with one of these variations:

• Passion fruit juice: Using passion fruit juice instead or purée is an option, but it will change the look of the cocktail. Juice is more transparent, while purées will be opaque.
• Non-alcoholic passion fruit martini: If you want to make this without booze, mix together 2 ounces passion fruit purée, 1 ounce of lime juice and 1 ounce of simple syrup.

Instructions

Here’s how to make this passion fruit martini recipe:

First get out a cocktail shaker, but don’t fill it with ice — yet. Start by adding vanilla vodka and passion fruit purée.

Next add the lime juice and simple syrup. (Still hold off on the ice.)

Finally, add the passion fruit liqueur. Now, you can shake, shake, shake! Because there’s no ice, this is referred to as a “dry shake” and it helps you get that perfect foamy layer on top.

Uncap the lid and add ice. Then shake some more until the cocktail shaker is ice cold in your hands. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a half of a passion fruit.

Just before serving, pour champagne or prosecco into a shot glass or other small glass and serve it alongside the passion fruit martini.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• Shake without ice, then shake with ice. The first is called a dry shake, and it helps you invigorate the ingredients to get the ultimate foamy layer on top. The second chills the drink.
• For an even foamier cocktail, you can add a splash of pineapple juice before the dry shake.
• Use a chilled cocktail glass. Place your coupes in the freezer for an hour or so before mixing drinks.
• If serving with champagne, choose a dry, or “brut” sparkling wine that complements the sweetness of the drink.

Food pairings

Pair this sweet and sexy martini with an equally desirable dessert like passion fruit cheesecake or margarita bars.

Instead of shots of champagne, why not use champagne jello shots for a cheeky twist? Boozy champagne cupcakes would also be sumptuous.

If enjoying before a meal, pair it with some spicy or salty snacks like shishito peppers and garlic aioli. A cheesy and creamy creamy appetizer like goat cheese crostini or whipped feta dip would also complement the tart passion fruit flavor.

FAQ

More fruity martini recipes

• Strawberry Martini
• Apple Martini
• Pomegranate Martini
• Raspberry Martini