This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.
With tequila, fresh passion fruit pulp, triple sec and agave syrup, this passion fruit margarita is a sweet, but tart take on the classic margarita.
With a warmer season upon us, I'm all about cocktails - from a limoncello spritz to a peach martini to a watermelon crush to a raspberry martini to a blue mojito.
But one of the first drinks that comes to mind is a margarita. While the classic has lime juice, you can mix up the flavors to your liking.
If you've never had passion fruit, it is both sweet and tart with a fragrant aroma. And while the fruit might be hard to find, most stores have pulp, including Target.
Why This Cocktail Works
- It is a spin on a a classic margarita.
- Uses just four ingredients, so it is quick to prepare.
- If you don't want passion fruit, you can use a different fruit juice or nectar for unique flavor profile.
Jump to:
Ingredient Notes
- Tequila - Choose a quality tequila, preferably silver or blanco, for a clean and crisp base.
- Passion fruit - I like to get the pulp which you can find in the frozen section of grocery stores, but you can also get passion fruit cocktail.
- Triple sec - Opt for a good-quality triple sec to enhance the citrus notes in the margarita.
- Agave syrup - For sweetness, use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It complements the flavors and adds a touch of richness. It also offsets some of the tartness from the passion fruit.
Ingredient Swaps
As with any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients if you want. Some variations include:
- Swap tequila with mezcal for a smokier flavor or use a fruit-flavored tequila for added fruitiness.
- While I use passion fruit, mangos or pineapples are good substitute. PS it is also great for a passion fruit martini.
- I always have triple sec in my cabinet, but Cointreau works great as well.
- I like agave syrup in this margarita, but honey or sugar can be used as substitutes.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Rub the rim of a glass with a lime slice. Dip in sugar or salt or a combination of both.
In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the tequila, passion fruit pulp, triple sec and agave syrup. Shake for 20 seconds and then pour in the glass with some crushed ice. Garnish with a lime slice.
FAQs
Passion fruit comes from the subtropical regions of South America. It can range from the size of a plum to grapefruit and is either yellow, purple or red on the outside.
The inside is yellow with a jelly-like consistency and crunchy seeds. It is very aromatic with a sweet/tart flavor.
Silver tequila is bottled right after the distilling process, giving it a stronger agave flavor. Gold tequila is either aged in barrels or has caramel coloring added.
With that said, silver tequila is not only cheaper but better for mixed drinks.
I just like the flavor of agave in this margarita but you can also use sugar or take the time to make a simple syrup.
If you want a frozen margarita, triple the ingredients and add about 5 cups of ice to the blender and blend with the other ingredients.
Yes, you can prepare a pitcher of passion fruit margaritas in advance, but it's recommended to wait until serving time to add ice to prevent dilution.
Store the mixture in the refrigerator and add ice to individual glasses when serving.
Best Tequila for Margaritas
Like and liquor, you can go super expensive or quite affordable. Luckily there are plenty of options.
- Roca Patrón Silver – It has a fresh, delicate citrus aroma with a low and balanced alcohol note. It is sweet with notes of black pepper and lime tea.
- Espolòn Blanco – This is a great budget tequila with bright agave flavor and notes of pepper, vanilla bean, grilled pineapple and spice.
- Olmeca Altos – This is my go-to. It has hints of citrus, pepper, sweet agave, fruit, herbal and earthy, with some light floral notes.
Equipment
The equipment you use is important to how the drink turns out. What is needed is the following:
- Cocktail shaker - Helps emulsify and keep the margarita ingredients cold when you shake them. You can also stir everything together.
- Margarita glasses - If you want the drinks to look the part you need some margarita glasses but any glass will work.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use silver tequila when making the margarita. Gold tequila can muddy the flavor.
- While I prefer the pulp which you can thaw out, passion fruit nectar or juice can be uses as well. You can also freshly squeeze some or make your own puree.
- Use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It takes takes less work and adds additional flavor.
- Crushed ice which will make the margarita colder quicker.
Similar Cocktails
If you’ve tried this passion fruit margarita or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Passion Fruit Margarita
Ingredients
- 3 oz silver tequila
- 3 oz passion fruit pulp
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1 oz agave syrup
- lime wedges and salt for garnish
Instructions
- Cut a lime and rub edges of glasses with it. Then dip the glasses in a plate that has either sugar or salt or a combination.
- Combine tequila, passion fruit pulp, triple sec and agave syrup in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 20 seconds. Strain in a margarita glass and garnish with a sliced lime.
Notes
- Use silver tequila when making the margarita. Gold tequila can muddy the flavor.
- While I prefer the pulp which you can thaw out, passion fruit nectar or juice can be uses as well. You can also freshly squeeze some or make your own puree.
- Use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It takes takes less work and adds additional flavor.
- Crushed ice which will make the margarita colder quicker.
Leave a Reply