Strawberry Passion Fruit Punch

If you’re looking for something juicy, punchy, and absolutely bursting with fruit-forward flavor—this Strawberry Passion Fruit Punch is it. This cocktail brings together muddled strawberries, lush passion fruit juice, and a splash of tropical liqueurs that swirl into something as beautiful as it is delicious.

It’s the kind of drink that feels right at home at a summer gathering, a beach-themed dinner party, or just when you want to channel a little island energy on a random Thursday night. It’s sweet, tangy, and a little bit cheeky—with layers of fresh fruit and smooth spirits dancing together over crushed ice. Bonus: it’s easy to build right in the glass. No shaking. No fuss. Just pure fruity bliss.

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Ingredients

• ½ oz (15 ml) strawberry puree
• 2 fresh strawberries (muddled)
• ¾ oz (22 ml) triple sec
• ½ oz (15 ml) Malibu rum
• ½ oz (15 ml) strawberry vodka
• Crushed ice
• Passion fruit juice (to top and fill)
• Lime slices (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Muddle the strawberries

Place the fresh strawberries into a serving glass and gently muddle them with a spoon or muddler. You’re looking to release the juices and natural sweetness, not completely pulverize them.

2. Add your base ingredients

Pour in the strawberry puree, triple sec, Malibu rum, and strawberry vodka. Give it a gentle stir to combine the flavors.

3. Add the crushed ice

Fill the glass almost to the top with crushed ice. This helps create a beautifully layered, icy texture that’s perfect for sipping.

4. Top with passion fruit juice

Slowly pour in the passion fruit juice, letting it cascade over the ice until the glass is full.

5. Garnish and serve

Add a few lime slices to the glass or as a garnish on the rim for a fresh citrus kick. Serve immediately, and enjoy your juicy, layered cocktail!

Notes

• Strawberry puree can be homemade or store-bought. For homemade, just blend fresh strawberries with a touch of sugar and strain if desired.
• Use Malibu rum for a coconut twist, or swap it for white rum for a more neutral flavor.
• Passion fruit juice should be vibrant and slightly tart—it’s the ingredient that brings balance to the sweetness.
• Crushed ice gives this drink its signature slushy, sippable texture. Use a blender or mallet to break down ice cubes at home.
• Want extra flair? Add a strawberry or lime wheel to the rim, or even a sprig of mint for contrast.

Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 cocktail
• Category: Drinks / Cocktails
• Method: Built in glass
• Cuisine: Tropical / Caribbean-inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
• Keywords: strawberry passion fruit cocktail, tropical punch drink, fruity summer cocktail, rum and passion fruit cocktail, crushed ice cocktail

Equipment

• Muddler or spoon
• Tall glass or hurricane glass
• Jigger or measuring tool
• Knife and cutting board
• Spoon or straw for serving

Helpful Tips

This cocktail may look like it came straight off a beachside bar menu, but it’s surprisingly easy to pull off at home. Whether you’re hosting a backyard gathering or simply shaking off the day with something fruity and cold, these tips will help you nail the flavor, the texture, and the wow-factor presentation every time.

1. Use ripe, fresh strawberries

The muddled strawberries are the heart of the base. Go for berries that are bright red, fragrant, and slightly soft—they’ll release more juice and sweetness, giving the drink a natural strawberry flavor you just can’t fake.

2. Don’t skip the muddle

It’s tempting to just toss everything in and call it a day, but muddling the fresh strawberries first adds a depth and freshness that strawberry puree alone can’t match. Press gently—you want to release the juice, not pulverize them into pulp.

3. Layer the flavors, not just the ingredients

Start with muddling, then add the spirits and puree before the ice and juice. This builds flavor from the bottom up, so every sip pulls a little bit of everything—from tart fruit to smooth coconut to bright citrus.

4. Crushed ice is key

Crushed ice gives you that icy, beachy texture that melts evenly into the drink. If you don’t have a machine, wrap ice cubes in a towel and smash with a rolling pin or mallet. It’s therapeutic and effective.

5. Pour the passion fruit juice slowly

For a visually layered effect, pour the juice slowly and evenly over the ice. It will settle and swirl through the alcohol and puree for a cocktail that’s as beautiful as it is refreshing.

6. Fresh passion fruit juice makes a difference

Bottled works great, but if you can find or make fresh passion fruit juice, it adds an extra tartness and aroma that really shines through the sweetness.

7. Add a citrus squeeze for balance

If your passion fruit juice or puree is on the sweet side, a quick squeeze of lime juice will help bring everything into balance without making it taste sour.

8. Dress it up

This drink is all about color and vibe, so don’t be shy with the garnishes. Lime slices, fresh berries, a pineapple wedge, or even a mint sprig can turn a fun cocktail into a total showstopper.

Conservation and Storage

This Strawberry Passion Fruit Punch is one of those cocktails that’s best enjoyed in the moment—freshly muddled, poured over crushed ice, and sipped while the juice and spirits are still perfectly chilled. But with a little planning, you can get ahead without sacrificing the magic. Whether you’re prepping for a party or just want to batch the base for later, here’s how to make it work.

Short-Term Storage (Up to 24 Hours)

You can absolutely prep parts of this cocktail ahead of time:

To Make Ahead:

• Mix the spirits and puree: Combine the strawberry vodka, Malibu rum, triple sec, and strawberry puree in a small jar or pitcher and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Keep the passion fruit juice chilled separately.
• Slice any garnishes (like lime wheels or strawberries) and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

When you’re ready to serve:

1. Muddle fresh strawberries directly in the glass.
2. Add the pre-mixed base, top with crushed ice, and pour over the chilled juice.
3. Garnish and serve immediately.

This method keeps the flavors fresh while giving you a head start.

Freezing Not Recommended

Because of the fresh strawberries, crushed ice, and passion fruit juice, freezing the fully mixed cocktail isn’t ideal. The texture and balance of flavors are best enjoyed right away.

However—if you’re planning a summer party, here’s a fun twist:

Frozen Punch Pops or Slush:

• Blend all the ingredients together with ice.
• Pour into popsicle molds or small freezer-safe containers.
• Freeze for a few hours for boozy popsicles or a scoopable adult slushie. (Just note the alcohol keeps it from freezing solid.)

Serving for a Crowd

This cocktail is stunning when served individually, but you can absolutely make it party-ready.

Batch Option (for 6–8 drinks):

• Muddle a few handfuls of strawberries in a pitcher.
• Add:
  • ¾ cup strawberry vodka
  • ¾ cup Malibu rum
  • ¾ cup triple sec
  • ½ cup strawberry puree
• Stir and chill.
• When serving, fill glasses with crushed ice, pour in the base, and top with chilled passion fruit juice.
• Garnish each glass individually for that fresh, eye-catching look.

This keeps the layered presentation without turning it into a big punch bowl full of melted ice and diluted flavor.s don’t hold their texture once thawed. This one’s best built and served immediately.

Substitutions and Variations

One of the things I love most about this cocktail is how beautifully it adapts. It’s already layered with fruity, tropical flavor—but once you understand the structure (sweet, tart, vibrant, and chill), you can play around with the ingredients and still end up with something seriously delicious.

So whether you’re missing a specific spirit, dialing back the sweetness, or just feeling creative, here’s how to shake things up—pun fully intended.

Spirits and Liqueurs

Swap the strawberry vodka:

• Regular vodka: A neutral option that keeps the focus on the fruit. Add an extra half-ounce of puree for more berry flavor.
• Raspberry vodka: A slightly more tart twist that plays well with passion fruit.
• Coconut vodka: To echo the tropical notes of the Malibu and take the coconut flavor even further.

Replace Malibu rum:

• White rum: A little stronger, a little cleaner—great if you want less sweetness.
• Coconut liqueur or coconut water: For a lower-alcohol option that still brings the vibe.
• Skip it altogether: If you’re already using flavored vodka, one spirit may be enough depending on your taste.

Swap triple sec:

• Cointreau or Grand Marnier: More depth and citrus complexity.
• Orange juice + splash of simple syrup: A non-alcoholic version that mimics the flavor well.
• Lime liqueur: For a slightly tart, tropical punch if you want to lean citrus-forward.

Fruits and Juices

Strawberries not in season?

• Frozen strawberries (thawed): They muddle easily and still offer great flavor.
• Strawberry preserves: A spoonful stirred in for concentrated sweetness—great in a pinch.
• Raspberries or blackberries: Tart and juicy, they’ll shift the flavor slightly but keep the freshness.

Change the juice:

• Mango juice: Smooth, mellow, and ultra-tropical. A gorgeous swap for passion fruit.
• Guava nectar: Light, floral, and delicately sweet—pairs beautifully with strawberry.
• Pineapple juice: Brings in a tangy, bright note and keeps the tropical spirit alive.
• Orange juice: Familiar and citrusy—easy to keep on hand and easy to love.

Make it Frozen

Want more of a blended drink? It’s easy to turn this into a slushy tropical treat:

• Add all ingredients (except garnishes) to a blender with 1 to 1½ cups of ice.
• Blend until smooth and serve in a chilled glass with your lime slices or fresh berries on top.

This version is beach-party ready and perfect for summer weekends.

Mocktail Version

Yes, you can absolutely make this one alcohol-free and still keep the fun and flavor. Here’s how:

• Replace the spirits with:
  • ½ oz strawberry syrup or puree
  • 2 oz coconut water
  • 1 oz orange or lime juice
• Top with passion fruit juice and crushed ice.
• Muddle berries and garnish just like the cocktail version.

You’ll still get all the freshness, color, and punch—without the buzz.

Add-Ins & Extras

Feeling playful? Here are a few ways to add even more flavor or flair:

• Fresh herbs: A sprig of mint or basil muddled with the strawberries adds a surprising, aromatic twist.
• A splash of prosecco: Top the finished drink with bubbly for a sparkling twist.
• Chili salt rim: For a spicy-sweet contrast, especially if you’re using mango or pineapple juice.
• Passion fruit pulp: Float a spoonful on top for texture and a pop of real fruit flavor.

Storage Instructions

Once assembled, this drink is best enjoyed immediately. The crushed ice melts quickly, and the fresh muddled strawberries will lose their punch if they sit too long.

If you do need to store:

• Pre-mix the alcohol base only and store in a sealed container in the fridge.
• Don’t add the crushed ice or fruit juice until just before serving.
• Fresh lime slices can be pre-cut and kept in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, but make sure they’re thawed before muddling, or they won’t release their juices. You can also blend them into the puree if you prefer a smoother texture.

What’s the difference between Malibu and coconut rum?
Malibu is a sweet, coconut-flavored liqueur made with rum—it’s lighter in alcohol and sweeter than traditional coconut rum. You can use either, depending on your flavor and strength preferences.

Is triple sec necessary?
It adds a nice citrus layer that balances the sweetness, but if you don’t have it, a splash of orange juice or another citrus liqueur (like Cointreau or Grand Marnier) works too.

Can I batch this for a party?
Absolutely. Multiply the base ingredients by the number of servings, muddle strawberries in each glass, then top with ice and juice individually.

What glass should I use?
A tall glass, hurricane glass, or even a large wine glass works beautifully—anything that shows off the drink’s color and gives enough room for all the ice.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Passion Fruit Punch is the definition of a tropical refresher. It’s fruity, zesty, and fun, with enough punch to feel grown-up and enough color to make it party-worthy. From the muddled berries to the cascading passion fruit juice, it’s the kind of cocktail that invites you to slow down and sip something beautiful.

Whether you’re planning a gathering or just treating yourself to something delicious at the end of a long day, this cocktail brings the flavor, the flair, and that unmistakable summer energy.

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