Passion Fruit Juice

Passion fruit juice is pleasantly tart and super refreshing. Similar to lemonade, this drink is made by combining fruit juice with water and sweetener.

Passion fruit is known by many names.

For most of the United States, it labeled as passion fruit or passionfruit.

In Hawaii, it is known as liliko’i or lilikoi.

Passion fruit is native to Brazil. However, it is now grown all over in the world in tropical and subtropical climates.

There are many varieties of passion fruit. The most common ones have purple or yellow skin.

Where to buy passion fruit?

The fresh passion fruits used in this recipe post come from Rincon Tropics.

Rincon Tropics is a 6th generational family farm in Carpinteria, California. They specialize in subtropical fruits.

Many supermarkets carry fresh passion fruit. You’ll find in the tropical fruit section along with mango, dragonfruit, and papaya.

Frozen passion fruit pulp (or puree) is widely available. I highly recommend this frozen puree. If you live in the LA/OC area, it is available for sale at Surfas.

Most chain supermarkets sell Goya frozen passion fruit pulp. It is photographed and detailed in this these passion fruit rosé popsicles.

NOTE: Make sure to use frozen passion fruit puree that is unsweetened, free of preservatives and other ingredients. It should be 100% pure passion fruit pulp.

How to eat passion fruit

These fruits are ripe when the skin is wrinkled, like the image above.

Upon purchase, passion fruit generally has a smooth shell.

Leave at room temperature until the skin has wrinkled.

Ideally, you want to pick ones that feel heavy for their size. That means there is likely more pulp inside!

Slice the fruit open and eat the pulp and seeds found inside.

I suggest using a small serrated knife to easily slice through the passionfruit skin.

Passion fruit pulp and seeds can be enjoyed straight out of the fruit.

It is also delicious spooned on top of yogurt and oatmeal, or baked into sweet treats.

How to make passion fruit drink

Passionfruit juice is similar to calamansi juice.

While you can certain drink the the liquids with the fruit by itself, passion fruit puree tastes so much more refreshing when mixed with water and a touch of sweetener.

To prevent confusion, let’s define a couple key terms:

• Passion fruit juice refers to mixed beverage contain passion fruit puree, water, and sweetener.
• Passion fruit puree is the remaining liquids when the seeds have been strained out.
• Pulp refers to everything inside the fruit (liquids, seeds, and all).

• 1. Slice off the top portion of the fruit. (Slicing up high will prevent extra liquids from spilling out.)

• 2. Turn the fruit upright to prevent liquids from spilling out.

• 3. Use a spoon to scrape out all the seeds and pulp within the fruit.

At this point, there are several ways to continue. You can use the mixture as is. Add water and sugar to taste. Done!

Or, strain out the seeds. There are two methods for straining out passion fruit seeds.

Strain Passion Fruit Seeds Method 1:

• Place fine mesh strainer over a bowl or container.
• Pass the pulp-seed mixture through the strainer.
• Use the back of a spoon to extract as much liquids from mucus encasing the seeds.

To prevent confusion, the strained liquids is “passion fruit puree.”

Keep the separated seeds to eat. Or, simply discard.

The seeds are edible. They are very crunchy!

Strain Passion Fruit Seeds Method 2:

• Place the seed mixture into a blender.
• Process on high speed for 2 second intervals to separate the juicy bits surrounding the seeds.
• Pour processed mixture through a fine mesh strainer set over a glass or container.

To prevent confusion, the strained liquids is “passion fruit puree.”

Discard the broken seed mixture.

Fresh Passion Fruit Juice

Pour passion fruit puree, filtered water, and sweetener into a pitcher.

Stir to combine and serve chilled over ice.

Any dissolvable sweetener works. However, I prefer simple syrup.

Simple syrup is a one to one ratio of water and sugar brought to a boil and then cooled.

This syrup can be made with granulated sugar, brown sugar, or turbinado sugar (such as Sugar In The Raw).

For extra crunch and edible decor, add a spoonful of passion fruit seeds into the juice.

How long does passion fruit juice keep?

Keep leftover passion fruit juice in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

The juice will separate over time. Stir or shake to bring juice back together.

Freeze passion fruit juice for longer storage.

I suggest using an ice cube tray. Transfer frozen cubes to a freezer storage bag. Keep frozen for up to 6 months.