Passion Fruit Caipirinha

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Bring the Brazilian vibes home with this colorful and tropical-flavored cocktail.

I’ll never forget when the sleek Concorde jet touched down in Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after, a scenic drive past Copacabana Beach in a luxurious Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow while being followed by a mysterious woman in her sporty MP Lafer… Then, there was the death-defying fight on top of a cable car with a giant metal-mouthed henchman as it descended Sugar Loaf Mountain.

None of this happened to me, of course. I was a ten-year-old kid watching the James Bond adventure Moonraker for the first time. And whenever I have a “hankering” to go anywhere in the world without leaving my couch, this film whisks me away to these beautiful and colorful locations.

Movies can provide little mini-vacations when we can’t get away. Cocktails do that, too. Reminiscing about my imagined childhood adventures with Agent 007, I began to wonder what they’re drinking in Brazil. What’s their cocktail of choice? Well, the drink we’ll be whipping up today in our home bar answers that question, a variation on the national drink of the South American country, the Caipirinha, this time with added passion fruit.

What is the best cachaça to use to make a Passion Fruit Caipirinha?

Cachaça is a traditional Brazilian spirit, made from distilled sugar cane, and a key ingredient in any Caipirinha. In my neck of the woods, Los Angeles, I really only had about five or six brands to choose from, all reasonably priced and all are, of course, from Brazil. Unaged versions of the spirit have an earthy, grassy flavor, while the aged versions tend to take on the flavors of the barrels they’re sitting in. For our cocktail today, I opted for an unaged cachaça.

What kind of glassware and garnish are used?

The Passion Fruit Caipirinha sits perfectly in a rocks glass. If you like your ice to stay frozen a little longer, a taller highball or collins glass will work, too. Garnish with a passion fruit half or a lime wedge and you’ll have an eye-popping mixture.

Is passion fruit hard to find?

While it may not be the most common thing you see on anyone’s grocery list, I had no difficulty finding some good, ripe, and tasty passion fruit right down the street at my local grocery store. You’re more than likely able to find what you need. You can also try a local farmer’s market.

Passion Fruit Caipirinha variations and similar cocktails

Ready to have a few more adventures with a zesty and delicious cocktail in hand? You can always try making any number of versions of the Caipirinha. Being the national drink of Brazil, there are a multitude of variations you can try out, alongside plenty of other tropical and fruity treats.

• Caipirinha – The original. The classic. You won’t want to miss out.
• Caipiroska – Swap the cachaça for vodka for a different take.
• Brazilian Lemonade – For a non-alcoholic option, try the tart and creamy Brazilian lemonade.
• Fernet and Coke – Another South American favorite, this time from Argentina.