Passion Fruit Margarita

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Seeking a poolside potion with passion? Craft a Passion Fruit Margarita or two to keep your summer sizzling.

There was only one night left in my supposedly hedonistic Bahamian vacation. And the entire time, a whole six days, was spent in the bathroom as I suffered from a bout of Montezuma’s Revenge. For years, I had only experienced said vengeance via the classic Atari video game, and only days ago learned the hard way what it actually was. Tender tummies require strict diets when traveling abroad. Unfortunately.

After a whole week of acquainting myself with my hotel room’s ceiling, I finally started to feel better and wandered out to the pool. Dare I try a cocktail, or do I just stick with a bromo? You only live once, as they say, but I also didn’t want to spend my entire flight tomorrow in the lavatory.

And then I saw the most beautiful person alive sitting across from me, and smizing in my direction over their large and stylish sunglasses. Do I walk over and introduce myself? Or do I order a drink at the pool’s bar and send it over, like the impressive person I wished I was.

My stomach decided for me, as a storm once again began brewing within it.

I ran over to the bartender and said to give that gorgeous individual across the way a fruity and colorful Passion Fruit Margarita and charge it to my room. Before they pointed their obligatory finger guns at me, I was gone, flying up the stairs and diving into the large bathroom in my suite. Afterwards, I shuffled over to the window, looking down at the pool area. The pretty person was gone. And the Passion Fruit Margarita? Long since drunk.

As I stared down at the empty glass, I reminded myself to stick with alcohol when on vacation, as the local water might keep me from my own passions.

What is the best tequila to use in a Passion Fruit Margarita?

When choosing the spirit to mix your Passion Fruit Margarita with, you have three options, basically, in terms of the kind of tequila you can use. For me, the best variety to use in this recipe is a blanco tequila. This is an unaged alcohol, and will be clear in color, as well as having a peppery, earthy, and agave-forward taste. This will mix well with the other flavors, lending a nice balance to each sip. For a more complex flavor, you can use aged tequilas, like a reposado or añejo, which will look darker and feature richer, bolder notes.

What glassware and garnish are used?

The traditional receptacle for any margarita is, of course, a margarita glass or goblet. If you don’t have any available to you, a rocks or Old Fashioned glass is also a fine choice. Coat the rim with salt and garnish with a lime wheel. If you’re using a rocks or Old Fashioned glass, you can fill it with ice before pouring your drink.

What other kind of salt rim can be used?

If you want each sip to have a little spicy kick, you can cover the rim of your glass with Tajín instead of salt. This is a Mexican seasoning that’s a blend of chili and lime, and complements the flavors of your margarita nicely.

Other margarita variations worth trying

When the sun is high and hot and the sweat is beginning to bead on your forehead, that’s when you know it is time for a cold and refreshing cocktail. And the classic Margarita is one of the most satisfying when the summer months roll around. If you have friends coming over, or even if it’s only you and the cat, Twist & Toast has a dazzling array of different margaritas you can enjoy when the heat is on.

• Skinny Margarita – Watching your waistline? Try this lighter tipple.
• Mezcal Margarita – Swap out the tequila for mezcal in this smoky and robust version.
• Devil’s Margarita – Red wine makes this mixture a mischievous one.
• Cadillac Margarita – An elegant and higher-end ‘rita that celebrates the finer things in life.