Some cocktails seem to appear out of nowhere and suddenly they’re everywhere. That’s exactly what happened with the Passion Fruit Martini.
I first encountered this cocktail during a work dinner in New York City in December 2022 at the Redeye Grill (‘Home of the Famous Dancing Shrimp’). Two people at our table ordered it and were quite pleased with it. I had never heard of it before and, truthfully, passion fruit isn’t usually a flavor I seek out. But the memory stayed with me.
Fast forward to the following summer when we traveled to Ireland to watch Notre Dame play Navy in football. While exploring the country with our friends, the May family, this cocktail seemed to be everywhere. We spotted it on menus throughout Ireland and even found it served on tap in some restaurants. It quickly became clear that this was far more than a passing trend.
Cocktail historians credit London bartender Douglas Ankrah with creating this drink in the early 2000s. While it originated in London, its popularity spread rapidly throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it remains one of the most commonly ordered cocktails.
While this cocktail is perhaps best known as a Pornstar Martini, I prefer to call it a Passion Fruit Martini since the passion fruit is truly the star of the show.
The drink combines passion fruit purée, passion fruit liqueur (such as Passoã), vanilla vodka, vanilla syrup, fresh lime juice, and Prosecco or sparkling wine. The result is bright, tropical, slightly tart, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for another sip. The vanilla softens the acidity of the fruit while the bubbles provide a festive finish.
At the May family’s house, this has become a signature house cocktail, and after one sip it’s easy to understand why. Although it’s often served with the Prosecco on the side in a sidecar carafe, I prefer adding it directly to the cocktail for a little extra sparkle in every sip.
A few shortcuts make preparation even easier. Look for frozen passion fruit purée in the freezer section of your grocery store and consider using a good-quality prepared vanilla simple syrup. I’ve included a homemade version in the recipe, but both options work beautifully.
Whether you’re enjoying it poolside in summer or dreaming of warmer weather in the middle of winter, this Passion Fruit Martini brings a little sunshine to the glass.
Passion Fruit Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce passion fruit purée see Notes
- 1/2 ounce passion fruit liqueur such as Passoã
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (~ 1/2 lime) see Notes
- 1/2 ounce vanilla simple syrup see Notes
- 2 ounces Prosecco or sparkling wine
- Garnish with half a fresh passion fruit or dehydrated orange slice
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add vanilla vodka, passion fruit purée, passion fruit liqueur, lime juice and vanilla simple syrup. Add ice cubes to the shaker.
- Shake for about 15 seconds.
- Strain into a coupe glass.
- Top with Prosecco or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with half a fresh passion fruit or dehydrated orange slice.
Notes
- Look for frozen passion fruit purée in the freezer section of your grocery store. Thaw it before preparing the cocktail. Transfer the amount you need to the refrigerator a few hours ahead of time or let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes until it softens. Once thawed, stir well before measuring as the liquid and pulp can separate. Most frozen passion fruit purées are sold in either frozen packets, cubes, or tubs, and they don't blend easily into a cocktail straight from the freezer.
- Before squeezing a lime, heat it in a microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds and then rub it back and forth on the counter top. This easy two-step process results in more juice per piece of fruit.
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