Get ready to fall in love with the Passion Fruit Spritz, a vibrant twist on your usual spritz! Imagine the tangy, exotic flavor of passion fruit liqueur meeting bubbly prosecco, topped with a splash of soda water for some extra fizz. This cocktail is a lively combo of flavors in your glass and is perfect for those craving a bit of tropical flair in their drinks.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Tropical twist: This passion fruit spritz’s rich, tropical flavor is courtesy of the passion fruit liqueur. It’s like a mini vacation in a glass – perfect for those dreaming of beachy getaways.
Perfect balance: The beauty of this drink lies in its perfect balance of flavors. The sweetness of the passion fruit liqueur pairs wonderfully with the crisp prosecco, creating a harmonious blend. This balance makes it a hit with a wide range of palates.
Easy and versatile: Whether you’re mixing a single glass or a batch for a crowd, this recipe is incredibly straightforward. No complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients – not even a cocktail shaker! Plus, it’s easy to adjust to taste – more liqueur for sweetness, or more soda water for a lighter touch.
What is a Spritz Cocktail?
Spritz cocktails, recognized by the International Bartenders Association, originate from Italy’s Veneto region. Their history dates back to the 1800s, originating from the practice of Habsburg Empire soldiers diluting local Venetian wine with a ‘spritzen’ (German for ‘spray’) of water to lessen its strength.
Typically, spritz cocktails follow a 3-2-1 ratio: three parts prosecco, two parts of a sweet or bittersweet liqueur, and one part soda water. This formula allows for a variety of spritz versions, from the classic Aperol Spritz to the refreshing Limoncello Spritz, and newer creations like the Italicus Spritz. A spritz cocktail, often served as an aperitif, is the perfect drink for pre-dinner or happy hour gatherings to stimulate the appetite.
I got the inspiration to post a passion fruit spritz after enjoying one in Siena, Italy during my Italian vacation last year. It was one of the MANY spritzes that I drank that week, but this one was certainly memorable so I had to recreate it at home! I’m not sure what gave the reddish hue to the one in Siena, but I can assure you both versions are equally delicious!
Ingredient Notes
- Passion fruit liqueur: I used Chinola for its creamy mouthfeel and vibrant passion fruit flavor, but Passoa or Alizé Gold Passion are some alternatives if you can’t find Chinola. Each brings its own unique flavor to the cocktail.
- Prosecco: Choose a brut style if you like a dry finish. Oddly, “Extra dry” is slightly sweeter than brut, so if you like just a touch of extra sweetness this is a good option. If you want a sweeter cocktail, look for ‘Dolce’ or ‘Semi-Seco’ on the label.
- Soda water: Regular seltzer sparkling water or club soda works perfectly. For an extra kick of flavor, try a passion fruit-flavored seltzer. I used seltzer water that I made with my SodaStream.
- Passion fruit garnish: You can scoop it into the drink or serve it floating in the drink. The seeds are edible but feel free to strain if they’re not your thing. If you’re serving for a party, you can serve the spritz with a small spoon (like they did for my spritz in Italy!) so guests can choose to scoop the fresh fruit into their drink or enjoy it as a separate, juicy treat. It’s a fun, interactive element that adds to the experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the passion fruit liqueur to a large wine glass (or spritz glass) filled with ice cubes.
Step 2: Then, top with prosecco.
Step 3: Add the soda water to the glass. Give the cocktail a gentle stir to incorporate all the flavors together.
Step 4: Garnish with the fresh passion fruit, if desired.
Expert Tips and Variations
Sparkling wine options: While prosecco is my go-to, cava or even champagne can be used. However, due to its price and unique flavor, I usually reserve champagne for special occasions. For cocktails, a good bottle of prosecco or cava under $20 works perfectly.
Make a stronger drink: Spritzes are generally low ABV (alcohol by volume), so if you fancy a stronger drink, simply add a shot of vodka or gin. For a visually stunning twist, try Empress Gin or my DIY butterfly pea flower-infused vodka. Not only does it ramp up the alcohol content, but it also adds an eye-catching color.
More sweet or sour: Tailor the cocktail to your taste! For a sweeter touch, opt for a Dolce or Semi-Seco prosecco, or stir in some simple syrup. If you prefer tartness, add in extra fresh or frozen passion fruit pulp, or a dash of lemon or lime juice for that zesty kick.
Keep it refreshing: To ensure your spritz is refreshingly cool, chill all the ingredients beforehand. Serve the cocktail over ice to keep it cold without diluting the flavors too quickly.
Make a DIY spritz station: While pre-batching a spritz isn’t ideal due to fizz loss, setting up a DIY spritz station at your party is a fantastic idea. Arrange chilled bottles of passion fruit liqueur, chilled prosecco, and soda water with a bucket of ice and glasses. Let your guests mix their own drinks to their liking. It adds a fun, interactive element to your gathering.
Bonus idea: You can add a charming label or sign for your spritz station, detailing the recipe, to guide your guests in crafting their perfect drink.
FAQ
Do I need to refrigerate my passion fruit liqueur?
If it is unopened, no, it is fine at room temperature. Even if your bottle says it doesn’t need refrigeration, I recommend refrigerating passion fruit liqueur after it’s been opened, especially Chinola, to keep it from going bad.
Sadly, I lost about half of a bottle of Chinola within a few months because I made the mistake of not keeping it in the fridge. It’s not so much because of food safety, but more about quality. The flavor degraded faster and the color turned into a dull brown-orange.
Can I make a batch?
Absolutely! To scale up the passion fruit spritz, just multiply the individual ingredient amounts by the number of servings you need. I’ve included batch measurements to serve 8 in the recipe card’s notes.
Alternatively, you can set up a spritz station with the chilled batched spritz, along with an ice bucket and glasses. This way, guests can easily mix their own fresh and bubbly drinks on the spot. You can add a charming label or sign for your spritz station, detailing the recipe, to guide your guests in crafting their perfect drink.
Can I make it ahead?
For the best taste, it’s ideal to mix your passion fruit spritz fresh. However, you can prep ahead of time by keeping the prosecco and soda water sealed and chilled in the fridge. Also, chill the passion fruit liqueur in the fridge (you can pre-measure the liqueur and keep it in an airtight container and chill in the fridge up to 1 day in advance).
When ready to make, add your passion fruit liqueur to an empty large pitcher followed by the prosecco and soda water. Stir and serve in cocktail glasses filled with ice.
What does passion fruit taste like?
Passion fruit has a unique, tropical flavor – it’s tangy and slightly sweet with a floral aroma. The taste is often compared to a mix of citrus fruits with a hint of peach or mango.
Is a spritz the same as a spritzer?
They’re similar but not the same. A spritz typically includes a liqueur or bitter like Aperol or Limoncello, while a spritzer is usually just wine and sparkling water.
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📖 Recipe
Passion Fruit Spritz Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces passion fruit liqueur (like Chinola or Passoa)
- 3 ounces prosecco
- 1 ounce soda water (seltzer, sparkling water, or club soda)
- Fresh passion fruit half for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the passion fruit liqueur to a large wine glass filled with ice.
- Top with prosecco, and soda water.
- Gently stir the cocktail and garnish with a half of passion fruit, if desired.
Video
Notes
- 2 cups passion fruit liqueur
- 1 bottle prosecco (750 ml bottle)
- 1 cup soda water
- Fresh passion fruit halves for garnish (optional)
- Keep the prosecco and soda water sealed and chilled in the fridge. Also, chill the passion fruit liqueur in the fridge (you can pre-measure the liqueur and keep it in an airtight container and chill in the fridge up to 1 day in advance).
- When ready to make, add your passion fruit liqueur to an empty large pitcher followed by the prosecco and soda water. Stir and serve in cocktail glasses filled with ice.
- For more sweetness, opt for a Dolce or Semi-Seco prosecco, or stir in some simple syrup. For a drier flavor, opt for a brut-style prosecco.
- For more tartness, add fresh or frozen passion fruit pulp, or a dash of lemon or lime juice for that zesty kick.
- Reserve the good sparkling wine or champagne for special occasions, and go for a good bottle of prosecco under $20.
- You can add the fresh passion fruit garnish to the drink or serve it floating on top.
Nutrition
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