A passion fruit mojito is a refreshing twist on the classic Cuban mojito cocktail. It combines mint, rum, sugar, lime juice and passion fruit for a tropical flavor explosion. The addition of passion fruit gives the mojito a sweet-tart kick that perfectly complements the herbal mint and tart lime. This fruity cocktail is the ideal summer sipper!
Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients that go into making a passion fruit mojito:
- Mint leaves
- White rum
- Simple syrup or sugar
- Fresh lime juice
- Club soda or sparkling water
- Passion fruit
- Ice
Let’s go through each ingredient in more detail:
Mint Leaves
Fresh mint leaves are essential for the authentic mojito flavor. You’ll want to use about 10-15 leaves per drink. Go for spearmint if you can find it, but regular mint works too. Gently bruise the leaves before adding them to the glass to help release their aromatic oils and flavors.
White Rum
A light rum is preferred for mojitos so it doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. Some good options are Bacardi Superior, Havana Club 3 Years Old or Plantation 3 Stars. Use 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of rum per cocktail.
Simple Syrup
Simple syrup helps sweeten the mojito in place of granulated sugar, which can be difficult to dissolve. Make your own by combining equal parts sugar and hot water and stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let cool before using. For a single mojito, use around 1 teaspoon of simple syrup.
Sugar
If you don’t have simple syrup, you can use regular white sugar instead. Use around 1 teaspoon per drink and stir vigorously with the mint leaves to help dissolve it.
Fresh Lime Juice
Freshly squeezed lime juice provides the signature tartness in a mojito. Use the juice from 1 lime per drink. Make sure to use fresh limes, as bottled juice won’t provide the same bright flavor.
Club Soda or Sparkling Water
The bubbles from club soda or sparkling water complete the mojito. Pour around 2-3 ounces per serving. Club soda adds a slightly salty flavor, while sparkling water lets the other ingredients shine through more.
Passion Fruit
This is what sets a passion fruit mojito apart from a regular one! You’ll need about 1/4 cup passion fruit pulp per drink. Scoop the pulp and seeds out of a fresh passion fruit. Canned or frozen pulp works too if fresh isn’t available.
Ice
Cracked or cubed ice is ideal for mojitos. The large surface area helps chill and dilute the cocktails properly. Add around 1 cup of ice per drink.
Equipment
Very little equipment is needed to mix up a batch of passion fruit mojitos:
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Mixing glass
- Measuring spoons
- Knife
- Citrus juicer or reamer
- Long spoon
- Cocktail strainer
- Ice bucket and tongs
- Highball or Collins glasses
The most important tools are the muddler, for crushing the mint leaves, and cocktail shaker, for thoroughly blending and chilling the ingredients before straining into the serving glasses.
How to Make a Passion Fruit Mojito
Now let’s walk through the entire mojito making process step-by-step:
Step 1: Prep the Mint
Grab around 10-15 fresh mint leaves per drink. Give them a quick rinse if needed and gently pat dry. Place the leaves in the bottom of a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, gently press the mint to release the oils and flavors. Be careful not to crush the leaves.
Step 2: Add the Sugar
Add 1 teaspoon of white sugar or simple syrup per drink onto the mint. Use the muddler to thoroughly combine the sugar and mint leaves until the sugar has mostly dissolved.
Step 3: Add the Lime Juice and Rum
Next, juice 1 fresh lime per drink into the glass, catching any pulp and seeds in your hand. Add 1 1/2 to 2 ounces white rum per serving. Stir to blend everything together.
Step 4: Muddle Some More
Give the mint leaves another gentle muddle to continue releasing flavor.
Step 5: Add the Passion Fruit
Scoop 1/4 cup passion fruit pulp per drink into the glass and stir to combine.
Step 6: Add Ice
Fill the glass most of the way with cracked or cubed ice, about 1 cup per drink. The ice helps chill, dilute and blend the ingredients.
Step 7: Shake It Up
Place a cocktail shaker over the glass. Shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to thoroughly blend and chill the mixture.
Step 8: Strain into Glasses
Place a cocktail strainer over a chilled highball or Collins glass. Double strain the contents of the shaker through the strainer to catch any pieces of mint or pulp.
Step 9: Top with Club Soda
Top each glass off with 2-3 ounces of chilled club soda or sparkling water. The bubbles add effervescence and dilute the cocktail slightly.
Step 10: Garnish and Serve
Add a mint sprig or lime wedge to each glass for garnish. Serve the passion fruit mojitos right away while chilled and freshly made. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Passion Fruit Mojitos
Here are some helpful tips and tricks for mix up stellar passion fruit mojitos every time:
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor
- Gently muddle the mint leaves to release the oils and aromas
- Add the club soda just before serving to preserve the carbonation
- Use ripe, fragrant passion fruit for maximum tropical taste
- Chill the glasses ahead of time for frosty drinks
- Use white sugar instead of simple syrup for a more authentic mojito
- Play with different rum styles like spiced or coconut rum
- Try other fruit combinations like mango, pineapple or strawberry
- Add a splash of fruit liqueur to accent the fruit notes
- Garnish with mint, fruit slices or flowers for a pretty presentation
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of rum goes best in a passion fruit mojito?
A light or white rum is ideal, such as Bacardi Superior, Havana Club 3 Year Old or Plantation 3 Stars. Dark rums would overpower the other delicate ingredients.
Can I make them without alcohol?
Absolutely! Omit the rum and replace with 1-2 ounces of passion fruit juice, orange juice or coconut water for a delicious non-alcoholic passion fruit mojito.
How long do passion fruit mojitos last?
It’s best to drink mojitos right after making them. The lime juice and carbonation will start to go flat after about 2 hours. The flavors also become diluted over time from the melted ice.
What glassware should I use?
Serve passion fruit mojitos in tall highball or Collins glasses over fresh ice. This allows you to add the club soda and creates a pretty presentation.
Can I make them in advance?
You can prepare the passion fruit, lime juice, rum, mint and sugar mixture ahead of time and refrigerate. Then add ice and club soda to finish right before serving.
Is passion fruit mojito seasonal?
Fresh passion fruit is more widely available in spring and summer, but you can make these mojitos any time using frozen or canned passion fruit pulp.
Customize Your Passion Fruit Mojitos
One of the great things about mojitos is how fun they are to customize to your own personal tastes. Here are some delicious flavor variations to try:
Mango Mojito
Use fresh mango instead of the passion fruit.
Raspberry Mojito
Muddle in some fresh raspberries along with the mint.
Pomegranate Mojito
Add pomegranate juice and seeds for a burst of tart-sweet flavor.
Jalapeño Mojito
Add slices of fresh jalapeño for a spicy kick.
Rose Mojito
Include a splash of rose syrup or rose water for a floral twist.
Coconut Mojito
Use coconut rum and coconut water for tropical flavors.
Cucumber Mojito
Muddle sliced cucumber along with the mint leaves.
Watermelon Mojito
Blend watermelon chunks instead of passion fruit.
Non-Alcoholic Mojito Options
You can easily whip up delicious virgin mojitos by omitting the rum:
Classic Virgin Mojito
Mint, lime juice, sugar and club soda
Strawberry Virgin Mojito
With muddled strawberries
Pineapple Virgin Mojito
With pineapple juice
Blueberry Virgin Mojito
With fresh blueberries
Ginger Virgin Mojito
With grated ginger
Serving Suggestions
Passion fruit mojitos are often served as a cocktail prior to a meal. Here are some other excellent ways to enjoy them:
- At a summer barbecue or pool party
- For Sunday brunch with friends
- At the beach or lake
- On a warm summer evening
- At a Cuban or tropical themed party
- For a relaxing girls’ night in
- On date nights or romantic evenings
- As a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up
Pair your passion fruit mojitos with similarly tropical appetizers and meals like jerk chicken, coconut shrimp or pineapple salsa and chips. Fruity mojitos are also delicious alongside Cuban classics like ropa vieja, picadillo or empanadas.
Storing Leftover Mojitos
While passion fruit mojitos are best consumed right after making, you may have leftover cocktail from time to time. Here are some storage tips:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days max
- The flavors will become diluted over time
- Add fresh ice before serving to re-chill
- Top with a splash of club soda to reactivate bubbles
- Garnish again with fresh mint and fruit
- Alternatively, freeze the mixture in ice cube trays for future mojitos
For the true authentic mojito experience though, your best bet is to mix up a fresh batch and enjoy its bright, herbal flavors ASAP!
Fun Facts About Mojitos
- Mojitos originated in Cuba in the 16th century
- They were originally made with a Cuban rum called aguardiente de caña
- Adding mint and fruit helped mask the harsh flavor of early rums
- Ernest Hemingway was said to be a huge fan of mojitos
- They became popular in the U.S. after the Cuban embargo was lifted in 2016
- National Mojito Day is celebrated on July 11
- In Cuba, traditional mojitos were unstrained and included the mint leaves
- Passion fruit mojitos add a tropical twist to the classic cocktail
- The refreshing drink is perfect for hot summer days
Nutrition Facts
Here is the nutritional breakdown for a standard passion fruit mojito (6 ounces with 2 ounces rum):
Calories: 185
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 18 mg |
| Potassium | 122 mg |
| Total Carbs | 17 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
% Daily Value
| Vitamin C | 45% |
| Vitamin A | 2% |
| Calcium | 0% |
| Iron | 0% |
Conclusion
With its refreshing mint, tart lime and sweet tropical passion fruit flavors, the passion fruit mojito is the ultimate summer cocktail. Combining just a handful of ingredients like rum, mint, lime and passion fruit results in a crisp, fruity drink that’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. Customize your mojitos with different fruit combinations or go virgin for an alcohol-free version. Mix up a batch using our step-by-step guide for your next warm weather gathering!