Passion for Days
A bright passion fruit lime spritz with orange juice, fresh lime, and plenty of bubbles. It is easy to batch, pretty in a glass, and just sweet enough without tasting heavy.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 drinks
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mDrinks
Passion for Days is a sunny, sparkling drink built around passion fruit’s tart, floral flavor. It tastes special, but the method is simple: stir, chill, pour over ice, and top with bubbles.
Use unsweetened passion fruit pulp or puree if you can find it in the freezer section. It gives the drink a clean tropical flavor without the syrupy sweetness of many bottled juices.
This recipe is written as a nonalcoholic spritz, so it works for brunch, cookouts, and weeknight dinners. If you want a cocktail version, add a small pour of rum or vodka to each glass and keep the rest of the recipe the same.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
8 items · 4 drinks
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons very hot water
- 1 cup unsweetened seedless passion fruit pulp or puree, thawed if frozen
- 1 cup chilled orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from about 2 limes
- 2 cups chilled sparkling water
- Ice, for serving
- Lime wheels or mint sprigs, for garnish, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Make the quick syrup
Add the sugar and very hot water to a small cup or bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves. This makes a quick syrup, which blends into cold drinks more smoothly than dry sugar.
2. Mix the passion fruit base
In a pitcher, stir together the passion fruit pulp, orange juice, lime juice, and quick syrup. Mix until the drink base looks even and smooth.
3. Taste and adjust
Taste a spoonful of the base. If it is very tart, add 1 to 2 teaspoons more sugar dissolved in the same amount of hot water. If it tastes too sweet, add another squeeze of lime.
4. Chill the base
Refrigerate the pitcher for at least 10 minutes if your juices were not already cold. A cold base keeps the ice from melting too fast and helps the sparkling water stay fizzy.
5. Fill the glasses
Fill 4 glasses with ice. Pour about 2/3 cup of the passion fruit base into each glass.
6. Add the bubbles
Top each glass with about 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water. Stir gently once or twice. Do not over-stir, or the drink will lose some of its fizz.
7. Garnish and serve
Add a lime wheel or a mint sprig if you like. Serve right away while the drink is cold and sparkling.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Mix the passion fruit base up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add sparkling water only when you are ready to serve.
- Storage: If the finished drink is already mixed with sparkling water, it will keep in the refrigerator for 1 day, but it will lose most of its fizz. It is still fine to drink over fresh ice.
- Fresh passion fruit swap: Use the pulp from about 12 to 16 passion fruits to get 1 cup. Strain out the seeds if you want a smoother drink, or leave a spoonful of seeds in each glass for crunch and looks.
- Juice swaps: Pineapple juice can replace the orange juice for a sharper tropical flavor. Mango nectar also works, but it will make the drink thicker and sweeter.
- Sweetener swaps: Use honey, agave, or maple syrup instead of the sugar syrup. Start with 2 tablespoons, then taste and add more if needed.
- Cocktail option: Add 1 ounce white rum, vodka, or tequila to each glass before topping with sparkling water. This is optional and is not included in the nutrition estimate.
Cook's note
Nutrition is estimated per drink using unsweetened seedless passion fruit puree, orange juice, lime juice, and the full amount of sugar syrup. Garnishes and optional alcohol are not included.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make Passion for Days without sparkling water?
Yes. Use still cold water, coconut water, or unsweetened iced tea instead. The drink will not be fizzy, but the passion fruit and lime will still taste bright.
Where do I find passion fruit pulp?
Look in the freezer section near frozen fruit or Latin American ingredients. Choose unsweetened passion fruit pulp or puree if possible. Sweetened versions can work, but you may need to skip the added sugar.
Can I use bottled passion fruit juice?
You can, but check the label. Many bottled passion fruit drinks are already sweetened or blended with other juices. If using a sweetened juice, leave out the sugar syrup at first, then taste before adding any sweetener.
How do I make this for a party?
Multiply the passion fruit base by the number of servings you need and chill it in a large pitcher. Set out sparkling water, ice, and garnishes so guests can top their own glasses right before drinking.
Why does my drink taste too sour?
Passion fruit can vary a lot in tartness. Stir in a little more syrup, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it tastes balanced. A splash of extra orange juice can also soften the acidity.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
4 drinks
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium5 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate26 g
- 9%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars23 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium12 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.3 mg
- 2%
- Potassium314 mg
- 7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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