Passion fruit syrup is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of drinks, desserts, sauces, and more. Made from the juice of passion fruit, this syrup has a sweet yet tart flavor and aroma that lends tropical notes to any dish or beverage. Passion fruit syrup is now readily available in grocery stores, making it easy to incorporate into recipes. Read on to learn all about passion fruit syrup and how to use it!
What is Passion Fruit Syrup?
Passion fruit syrup is a concentrated, sweetened juice made from passion fruit. To make it, passion fruit juice is reduced down to intensify the flavor. Sugar or another sweetener is then added to balance out the tartness. The resulting syrup has a smooth, pourable consistency and rich yellow-orange hue. It tastes sweet and tropical, with pleasant tartness and aromatic passion fruit notes. You can find passion fruit syrup in the grocery store near other fruit syrups and juice concentrates. Popular brands include Auntie’s Orchards, Monin, and Small Hand Foods. You can also easily make it at home using juice made from fresh or frozen passion fruit.
Taste and Uses
Passion fruit syrup has a delicious sweet-tart tropical flavor. It tastes like concentrated passion fruit nectar, with intensely fruity, perfumed notes. The syrup is moderately thick and smooth, making it easy to mix into drinks and sauces. It also contains beneficial antioxidants, vitamin C, iron and fiber from the passion fruit. Passion fruit syrup’s versatility makes it useful in both sweet and savory cooking applications. Here are some of the most popular ways to use passion fruit syrup:
- Cocktails – Adds tropical flair to cocktails like mai tais, daiquiris, and mojitos
- Non-alcoholic drinks – Passion fruit Italian sodas, lemonades, punches, and smoothies
- Desserts – Use in cakes, pies, puddings, ice cream, and sorbet recipes
- Sauces – Great for dessert sauces like caramel or chocolate, or for savory glazes on meat and seafood
- Yogurt and oatmeal – Mix into plain yogurt or oatmeal for added flavor
- Fruit salads – Drizzle over tropical and citrus fruit salads
- Creamy desserts – Add to ingredients like whipped cream or mascarpone
The options are endless! Passion fruit syrup works well in any recipe calling for sweetness combined with a tropical fruit flavor. Keep reading for specific recipe ideas and tips.
How to Make Passion Fruit Syrup
While store-bought passion fruit syrup is readily available, you can also easily make your own at home. DIY passion fruit syrup allows you to control the flavor and sweetness level. All you need is passion fruit juice and sugar. Here is a simple passion fruit syrup recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 1 cup passion fruit juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine the passion fruit juice and sugar in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until chilled before using.
This basic 2:1 ratio of juice to sugar makes an easy, balanced syrup. Feel free to tweak the amount of sugar to your taste preference for more or less sweetness. You can also experiment with different juices, combining passion fruit with mango, pineapple, or other tropical flavors. Homemade passion fruit syrup will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Passion Fruit Syrup Cocktail Recipes
Cocktails are one of the most popular uses for passion fruit syrup. The syrup’s tropical flavor and bright acidity make it a mixer that’s perfect for both tiki and classic cocktails. Here are some delicious cocktail recipes featuring passion fruit syrup:
Passion Fruit Mai Tai
This riff on the classic mai tai gets extra tropical flavor from passion fruit syrup. It’s fruity and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz aged rum
- 1 oz orange curacao
- 1 oz passion fruit syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/4 oz orgeat syrup
- Mint and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add all the ingredients except garnish.
- Shake vigorously until chilled.
- Strain into an ice-filled glass.
- Garnish with mint and lime.
Passion Fruit Daiquiri
Passion fruit and rum are perfect partners. This frozen daiquiri is an irresistible frozen cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz passion fruit syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 cup ice
Instructions
- Add rum, passion fruit syrup, lime juice and ice to a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.
Passion Fruit Paloma
This refreshing cocktail mixes tequila and passion fruit with the classic Paloma flavors of grapefruit and lime. It’s bubbly and citrusy.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz passion fruit syrup
- 3 oz grapefruit juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- Grapefruit slice and lime wheel for garnish
- Sparkling water or soda
Instructions
- Rim a glass with salt if desired. Fill the glass with ice.
- Add tequila, passion fruit syrup, grapefruit juice and lime juice. Stir to combine.
- Top with sparkling water or soda. Stir gently.
- Garnish with a grapefruit slice and lime wheel.
Passion Fruit Dessert Recipes
The sweet yet tart flavor of passion fruit pairs perfectly with creamy, indulgent desserts. Here are some recipes highlighting passion fruit syrup’s versatility as a dessert ingredient:
Passion Fruit Cheesecake
This no-bake cheesecake gets a burst of tropical flavor from a passion fruit syrup swirl.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 5 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsp sugar
Filling:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/3 cup passion fruit syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Make the crust by mixing together graham crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press firmly into the bottom of a parchment-lined 8″ springform pan. Refrigerate while making the filling.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in condensed milk, passion fruit syrup and vanilla until fully incorporated.
- Pour filling over crust and smooth the top. Drizzle passion fruit syrup decoratively over the top.
- Refrigerate cheesecake for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Passion Fruit Sorbet
This simple 3-ingredient sorbet captures the vibrant flavor of tropical passion fruit. It’s creamy despite containing no dairy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup passion fruit syrup
- 1 cup water
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.
Passion Fruit Tart
This elegant tart features a crisp shell filled with silky passion fruit curd for a sophisticated dessert.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cubed
Filling:
- 6 passion fruits
- 2/3 cup passion fruit syrup
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 6 tbsp butter, cubed
Instructions
- Make the crust: In a food processor, pulse together the flour, powdered sugar and butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into a 9″ tart pan with removable bottom. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes then remove weights and parchment and bake 10 more minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely.
- Make the filling: Halve the passion fruits and scoop pulp into a sieve set over a bowl. Press and scrape to extract juice (you should have about 1/2 cup). Reserve juice and seeds.
- In a saucepan, whisk together passion fruit juice, passion fruit syrup, eggs and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened to a custard texture, about 10 minutes.
- Strain custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Stir in butter until melted and incorporated. Let cool slightly then pour into tart crust.
- Decorate top with some of the passion fruit seeds. Chill tart for at least 2 hours before serving.
These recipes offer just a glimpse of how versatile and delicious passion fruit syrup can be in desserts. Let your imagination run wild with passion fruit-infused cakes, pies, puddings, waffles, ice creams and more.
Savory Recipes Using Passion Fruit Syrup
While most often used in sweets, passion fruit syrup can also lend its bright, tropical flavor to savory dishes like seafood, poultry and sauces. Here are some ideas to try:
Passion Fruit Glazed Salmon
Brush passion fruit syrup onto salmon fillets before broiling for a caramelized, tropical glaze.
Passion Fruit Chicken Wings
Toss chicken wings with passion fruit syrup, soy sauce, garlic and ginger for mouthwatering sticky baked wings.
Passion Fruit Vinaigrette
Whisk together passion fruit syrup, olive oil, shallots, vinegar and mustard for a dynamic salad dressing.
Passion Fruit Sauce
Simmer passion fruit syrup with chicken or vegetable stock until reduced down to a luscious sauce perfect for drizzling over fish or poultry.
Passion fruit syrup can also be used to glaze ham or pineapple, add flavor to salsa, marinate meat for the grill, and stir into noodle or rice dishes for a pop of flavor. The possibilities are endless!
Tips for Using Passion Fruit Syrup
Follow these tips to get the most out of passion fruit syrup:
- Store in the refrigerator after opening. The high sugar content allows passion fruit syrup to keep for 2-3 months refrigerated.
- Use within 6 months for the freshest flavor.
- Shake or stir before using to redistribute the fruit pulp and flavors.
- Start with small amounts, adding more passion fruit syrup to taste. A little goes a long way due to the intense flavor.
- Combine with citrus like orange and lime. The flavors complement each other perfectly.
- Mix into cocktails, lemonades, teas, and other beverages. Just a spoonful adds tropical character.
- Use to sweeten and add flavor to plain yogurt or cottage cheese.
- Stir a bit into pancake batter right before cooking.
- Brush on pork, chicken or fish before grilling or roasting.
- Mix with butter or whipped cream to top waffles, crepes, ice cream and other desserts.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with passion fruit syrup in all kinds of dishes both sweet and savory. Its vibrant sunny flavor plays well with many ingredients.
Where to Buy Passion Fruit Syrup
Thankfully, passion fruit syrup has become quite easy to find in stores. Here are some places to buy it:
- Grocery stores – Check the syrup, cocktail mixer or juice concentrate sections
- Specialty food stores – Stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Earth Fare, etc.
- Online – Amazon, Walmart, retail sites for brands like Monin, Auntie’s Orchards, Small Hand Foods
- Tiki/specialty cocktail shops – Stores specializing in cocktails and mixers
- International/Latin markets – Passion fruit is popular in Latin cuisine
- Farmers markets and fruit stands – When passion fruit is in season
Major brands to look for include Auntie’s Orchards, Monin, Small Hand Foods, Mountain Rose Herbs, Amoretti, and Funkin. Prices range from about $5 to $15 for a 12-16 oz bottle. Making your own homemade passion fruit syrup is also cost effective if you have access to fresh or frozen passion fruit.
Conclusion
With its irresistible tropical essence and versatility, passion fruit syrup is a great ingredient to always have on hand. Use it to add sunny flavor to cocktails, desserts, dressings, glazes and more. Look for passion fruit syrup at your local grocery or specialty food store. Try mixing some into your favorite beverage or drizzling it over ice cream for an instant flavor upgrade. However you use it, passion fruit syrup is sure to bring a delicious taste of the tropics to your kitchen.
