Easy Agua de Maracuya (Mexican Passion Fruit Drink)
Tropical and refreshing this Mexican passion fruit drink is exactly what you’ll want in your ice-filled glass this summer. With only three simple ingredients this agua de maracuya drink is the definition of chill.
Recently, our days have been filled with sunshine and warm weather. A bit of California sunshine also made its way to Colorado when my friend from San Diego mailed me a box of maracuyás straight off her vines. This certainly brightened my spirits and inspired me to develop several passion fruit recipes including a classic agua de maracuya drink.
⭐️FUN FRUTA FACT: Maracuyás, more commonly known as passion fruit, contain a sweet-tart pulp that can be transformed into a fun libation or dessert. Their seeds add fun texture to everything, too. I’m a big fan and love to use them in everything from salsa to sorbet.
While vacationing in Panama, I had agua de maracuyá every morning. It wasn’t overly sweet, which I loved and tried to replicate in my recipe. Passion fruit has recently gained attention because it is a rich source of powerful antioxidants and contains high levels of vitamin C and A, which are important for skin, vision, and the immune system. They’re the perfect tropical addition to this agua fresca, too.
WHAT ARE PASSION FRUIT?
Passion fruit is a tropical fruit that grows on vines in warm climates. They have a tough, inedible skin but once you cut it in half, the fragrant pulp is the sweet and sour treat inside. Scoop out the jelly-like flesh and enjoy, seeds and all.
⭐️ FUN FRUTA FACT: Healthwise, they are an excellent source of potassium which benefits heart health, among other things, as well as a significant source of fiber when eaten with the seeds. They are rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron, excellent for strengthening bones.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
The eye-popping flavor of the passion fruit does the heavy lifting here so there’s no need for lots of ingredients.
- Water. Regular tap water or filtered water is fine.
- Fresh passion fruit. Look for fruit that is heavy for it’s size and the skin is wrinkled.
- Cane sugar. Or white sugar is great. See FAQ’s for other sugar substitutes.
WHERE TO FIND PASSION FRUIT: If you live in a warm climate you can find passion fruit at your local farmer’s market or your neighbor’s backyard (once they start growing they never stop). Otherwise, Whole Foods commonly carries passion fruit as well as many Latin markets.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1
Blend. Cut each passion fruit in half horizontally. Scoop the passion fruit pulp out of each half with a spoon into the blender. Combine with the sugar and water and blend on low for 30 seconds. Don’t blend on high or you will break up the edible seeds which add nice crunch and texture.
Step 2
Enjoy! Taste and add more sugar if desired. Serve over plenty of ice cubes and garnish with a half of a passion fruit on a fun cocktail pick if you want.
Sometimes passion fruit drinks can have too much sugar to make up for their natural sourness but this one is perfectly balanced. I love the pop of the seeds which makes this drink stand out from other aguas frescas.
HOW TO STORE
Make this homemade passion fruit juice and keep in a pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Give a stir right before serving though because all the seeds will fall to the bottom.
RECOMMENDED BY LOLA FOR THIS RECIPE
The one thing you need to make this recipe is a blender. I use a Vitamix Blender but any blender will work. I love the pop of the seeds but if you are against eating them, you will also need a fine mesh strainer to strain them out.
MARACUYÁ DRINK FAQS
The sugar blends and dissolves in the blender but if you are worried about it not dissolving completely or settling on the bottom of your glass you can use ¼ cup (or to taste) of simple syrup, agave syrup, or honey.
If you can’t find fresh passion fruit you can substitute frozen puree. Look for a puree that still has the seeds in it and let it partially thaw before using. You will need ½ cup of frozen puree.
WHAT PAIRS WELL WITH PASSION FRUIT AGUA FRESCA?
This is a delicious refresher any time of day but it makes a great afternoon pick-me-up or (with a splash of rum) a happy hour cocktail with some other nibbles. Try with:
- Colorful, Kid-Friendly Fruit Kebobs. Bonus points for serving with chocolate sauce or dulce de leche for dipping
- Get sophisticated and serve with my Spicy Pineapple Jam with Manchego Cheese appetizers.
- Don’t like spicy? Try Manchego Cheese with Quince Jam Agave and Pecans instead.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?
- Passion Fruit Iced Tea
- Passion Fruit Salsa
- Mango Passion Sorbet
- Lola’s Fancy Passion Fruit and Coconut Flan
- How to Make Agua de Ciruela (Plum Agua Fresca)
- How to Make Agua de Guayaba (Guava Agua Fresca)
- Easy Agua de Fresa con Chia (Strawberry Chia Drink)
- How to Make Agua de Kiwi (Easy Mexican Kiwi Drink)
Easy Agua de Maracuya (Mexican Passion Fruit Drink)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 passion fruits pulp only
- 3 tablespoons cane sugar or to taste
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Add ingredients to the blender and process on low for 30 seconds. I like to blend on low to keep seeds intact because they are edible and enjoy their crunchy texture.If you blend on high and break up the seeds, you’ll have to strain the mixture with a fine mesh sieve.
- Serve over plenty of ice, garnish with half of a passion fruit on a cocktail stick if you'd like and enjoy.
A Note from Lola
TIPS, TRICKS, & SUBSTITUTIONS
Seeds or no seeds. Like I’ve mentioned, I particularly like the snap of the seeds as you sip. Make sure they stay whole but blending the passion fruit juice on low. If the blender is too high it will crush the seeds and you will have to strain them out. Use ripe passion fruit. Fresh passion fruit juice can be really sour if the fruit is not ripe. Look for medium-sized fruit about the size of a jumbo egg with slightly wrinkled skin and consistent purple color. Passion fruit with smooth skin is not quite ripe yet and can be too tart. Variations. I love this simple, straightforward Maracuya drink but you can take it in a million different directions. Add a splash of white rum and a few mint leaves for a tropical cocktail. Switch up the flavors by adding fresh pineapple to the blender. Make passionfruit juice lemonade or limeade by adding fresh squeezed lime juice or lemon juice.Nutrition
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Lola Wiarco Dweck
Lola is a Mexican-American recipe developer, writer, and cooking instructor who loves sharing her culture with the world. Growing up in California and spending summers in Mexico, Lola celebrates her family’s Mexican recipes and vibrant culture through Lola’s Cocina.
Marcuya is one of my favorite summer flavors. I love how this recipe leaves the seeds in tact so you get a little crunch in every sip.
I do, too! I was asked why I don’t blend the seeds, but they’re my favorite part of this drink. They are loaded with nutrients and have great texture. I especially love the seeds in desserts (like my passion fruit flan).
Love the crunch from the seeds in this recipe and it’s so refreshing!