Looking for a refreshing summer cocktail? You won’t want to miss this passionfruit mojito cocktail recipe! Passionfruit has a unique and versatile flavour profile, which makes it ideal for use in a range of cocktail recipes. This fruit is also beautiful to look at, which makes it the perfect choice when wanting to impress your friends or family at your next gathering. 

Using simple ingredients and techniques, you can easily create a fantastic cocktail that your friends and family will love. This drink is perfect for any time of year as its refreshing without being too sweet. Once you know the basic recipe, you can experiment with your own fruity combinations until you find the one that suits you best! This post will give you a delicious passionfruit mojito cocktail recipe and lists what ingredients you need create it at home.

There are many different types of fruits that are perfect for use in cocktails. Passionfruit is a popular choice and it’s not difficult to see why. Passionfruit has a very distinct tropical flavour that is loved by many. This makes it a great choice for cocktails, whether you’re making them for yourself or for a group of friends. Passionfruit is a tropical fruit that is native to South America. Today, it grows abundantly in tropical regions like South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Passionfruit is a round fruit that comes in different varieties. The flavour of this fruit varies between these different varieties. Some are very sweet while others are more sour. The passionfruit that is commonly used in cocktails is the purple variety of the fruit, which is the variety used in this mojito cocktail recipe.

The uses for passionfruit are very versatile. As wells as in cocktails, passionfruit can also be used to make tropical juices and jellies. Some people like to use passionfruit pulp as a topping for yoghurt, breakfast cereals and smoothie bowls. It is also used in baking, particularly in cakes and cheesecakes. And of course, it can be enjoyed directly from the rind. Passionfruit has also been used in herbal medicine to treat disorders, including anxiety and depression. It continues to be studied and explored for its potential pharmaceutical benefits.

With its minty and citrusy flavour, the mojito is one of the most refreshing cocktails around and is perfect for summer gatherings (or as a treat for yourself during the cold winter months!). It is a simple cocktail recipe that relies on just a handful of ingredients. As it’s such a simple recipe, it’s advised to source the best quality ingredients you can so it tastes it’s best.

Now, let’s take a look at the history behind this classic cocktail recipe. The exact origin of the Mojito is somewhat difficult to pinpoint. Many people believe that it was invented in Cuba. But there are many different Mojito origin stories that are often debated. One origin story comes from Cuban restaurant and bar “La Bodeguita del medio” that claims to be the cocktail’s birthplace. Another story claims the drink was created by enslaved African people who worked in Cuban sugarcane fields from “aguardiente de cana” (which translates to “firewater of the sugar cane”). 

Another story involves English pirate Francis Drake. It is thought that following an unsuccessful Cuban invasion in the 1500s, his crew were suffering from scurvy and dysentery. The local indigenous people created a medicine with aguardiente, mint leaves, lime and sugar cane juice. As the recipe is so simple, it could be that many people “invented” the recipe over the years, but it’s likely that the origin story will continue to be debated for years to come.

Making cocktails at home can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! All you really need is some home bar essentials (most you may already have in your kitchen) you’re your cocktail ingredients and you’re ready to have some fun making and creating your own cocktails. Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to consider in a bit more detail so that you have everything you need when it comes time to make your mojito cocktail recipe.

Ingredients - You’ll need to find your favourite cocktail recipes, and get the ingredients ready before your make your cocktail. Try your best to get good quality and fresh ingredients to make sure your cocktails taste their best. Some common cocktail ingredients include sugar (or simple syrup), soda water, lemons, limes, ice, and of course alcohol (although you can skip the alcohol if you’re making mocktails). One tip I read about making the best cocktails is having good quality ice. Ice is thought to be one of the most important ingredients in cocktails. Top three tips about choosing the right ice for cocktail making include:

• Use larger ice cubes - the larger the cube, the slower it melts which means less water in your finished cocktail, so it has a less diluted taste.

• Use ‘fresh’ ice – be sure to use ice straight from the freezer, rather than ice that has been sitting out for a while. This is to help keep your cocktail super cold, and prevent the ice from melting too quickly and diluting the cocktail.

• Use neutral flavoured ice - use water that tastes good for your ice, so then when it melts into the drink it doesn’t ruin the flavour of your cocktail. Try running your tap water through a filter before freezing, or using your favourite bottle water to make your ice.

Equipment - You will need a handful of home bar essentials before making cocktails at home. Your kit should include a tiny measuring cup, bar spoon, muddler, cocktail shaker and strainer.

Environment - The environment in which you make your cocktails is just as important as the ingredients and equipment you use. The key to making good cocktails is to chill everything as quickly as possible. You can speed this process up by chilling your glasses and bar spoons in the freezer before starting to make your cocktails.

There are many different fruits that are perfect for use in cocktails. Putting a tropical twist on the original mojito, this mojito cocktail recipe uses passionfruit in additional to the usual mojito cocktail recipe ingredients. Let’s take a look at all the ingredients needed to make this passionfruit mojito cocktail recipe.

Simple Syrup - This is used to sweeten the drink, made by heating equal parts water and sugar until the sugar evaporates leaving a syrup.

Lime - The juice adds a citrus flavour to the drink, and you can use lime slices or wedges to garnish. Always use fresh lime juice for your mojito.

Mint - This is a very important ingredient as it adds flavour and aroma to the drink. Fresh mint is always best.

White Rum - This is the alcohol of choice for most mojito cocktails. Use a good quality rum for the best taste. We used the Jamaican favourite Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum. But you could also try Black British owned Cabby’s Rum. Skip the rum to make a mojito mocktail.

Passionfruit – The addition of this delicious fruit adds a tropical flavour to a classic cocktail.

Ice – Arguably one of the most important cocktail ingredients. Make sure it’s fresh from the freezer and has a neutral taste.

Soda water or sparkling water – Use whichever you prefer as a cocktail mixer. If you’re making a mojito mocktail you can use your favourite lemonade instead and also skip the simple syrup.

First, make a simple syrup by gently heating equal parts water and sugar until the sugar has evaporated then leave aside to cool. See this recipe for guidance. Skip this step for the mojito mocktail. 

Pour the juice from half a lime, white rum and the pulp from a passionfruit in your cocktail shaker. Then add your mint leaves leaving a sprig for garnish, and your cooled simple syrup. Muddle all the ingredients together to release their flavour and juices. Skip the white rum and simple syrup for mojito mocktail.

Fill shaker with ice and shake for around 30 seconds, or until the shaker is cold and frosted.

Fill your serving glass with ice, then pour out the contents of the cocktail shaker into it. Top with soda or sparkling water for the alcoholic cocktail. Top with lemonade for the mocktail. 

Finally, garnish with a halved passionfruit and a sprig of mint.

Serve and enjoy!

Sources & Further Reading:

1. Passionfruit. Read more

2. Caribbean Market: Passionfruit. Read more

3. Drink in History: The Mojito. Read more

4. The history of the mojito. Read more

5. Who really invented the mojito?. Read more

6. How to make the best cocktail ice. Read more

7. Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

8. Photo by Tim Krisztian on Unsplash

9. Photo by Lena Kulybaba on Unsplash

10. Photo by Vino Li on Unsplash

Always drink responsibly.