On the next rainy spring day, transport yourself to a tropical island with this tiki-inspired passion fruit cocktail complete with spiced rum.
Today I looked at the hourly forecast, and I am not kidding, it went like this: Heavy Rain, Heavy Rain, Rain, Showers, Showers, Showers, Showers, Showers, Showers, Showers, Showers. Oy. That’s Portland in early spring, for ya.
My favorite thing to do when it’s gross outside is to make a tropical beverage. It’s my small way of shaking my fist at the rainy weather – once spring arrives, I refuse to play along. When I say something like this, my friends who aren’t from Portland will often say “Oh, I like the rain!” Well, I have news: After six months of everyday rain, NO ONE LIKES THE RAIN anymore. And that’s why we escape with a delightful tropical cocktail. I’m very excited to be working with Don Q rum on this recipe today! 
I paired Don Q’s Oak Barrel Spiced Rum with my own springy interpretation of one of my favorite tiki cocktails: The Painkiller. But instead of the traditional pineapple and orange juice, I used passionfruit and fresh strawberries instead. You can find passionfruit cocktail at many retailers or you can use Knudsen’s Morning blend, which is passionfruit and orange juice. Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut can be found at most liquor stores.
As is my usual, I upped the acidity of my recipe with a little fresh lime juice! I like my drinks to be a little tart, if they’re going to be on the sweeter side (and most tiki drinks are on the sweeter side.)
So if you’re feeling like I am, and pining for warmer weather, palm trees and/or a tropical locale, I suggest giving this new tiki cocktail creation a try. It won’t physically transport you to an island in the Pacific, but it will come pretty darned close!
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The Playful Passion Cocktail
Description
On the next rainy spring day, transport yourself to a tropical island with this tiki-inspired passion fruit cocktail complete with spiced rum.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Don Q Spiced Rum
- 3 oz. passionfruit juice
- 4-5 fresh (very ripe strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped)
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. coconut cream (such as Coco Lopez)
- 2 dashes angostura bitters
Instructions
- Add the strawberries and lime juice into a cocktail shaker and muddle until the strawberries are very broken up. Next, add the rump, passionfruit juice, lime juice, coconut cream and bitters. Shake until very cold (about 10-15 seconds) and pour over ice into a hurricane, highball or other tall cocktail glass. Garnish with a strawberry and/or fresh lime.
- Category: Cocktail, Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
What cocktail is this based on, and how does it differ from the original?
This is my riff on the Painkiller, a classic tiki cocktail. I swapped out pineapple and orange juice for 3 oz of passionfruit juice and 4 to 5 muddled fresh strawberries. If you cannot find pure passionfruit juice, Knudsen’s Morning Blend works. It is a passionfruit and orange juice mix that keeps the tropical profile intact.
Why do you add lime juice when the drink already has passionfruit and coconut cream?
Tiki drinks lean sweet, and passionfruit plus coconut cream push hard in that direction. The 1 oz of fresh lime juice is there to cut through and keep the drink bright rather than cloying. I always add acid to anything on the sweeter side, and this one needs it.
Why muddle the strawberries rather than just shaking them?
Strawberries do not break down from shaking alone. Muddle 4 to 5 very ripe, hulled berries with the lime juice in the shaker first so they fully macerate and release their juice into the drink. Use ripe fruit. Under-ripe strawberries are too firm and too tart and will not give you the color or flavor you want.
