Cocktail Crush

Cocktails are giving passionfruit a powerful familiarity boost. The Pornstar Martini, a modern classic known for its lush, tropical profile and signature sidecar of sparkling wine, has moved from its London roots into American bars. Its success showcases what passionfruit does particularly well: deliver enough sweetness to feel indulgent, with a bright hit of acidity that keeps everything in balance. Parlour Bar in Nashville, Tenn., menus its take on the Pornstar Martini with vanilla vodka, passionfruit, lime and a sidecar of bubbles.

Passionfruit is also finding a natural home in the margarita, another familiar format that gives the tropical fruit room to play. Tequila’s vegetal notes and lime’s acidity play beautifully against its sweet-tart character, allowing bartenders to layer in complexity without losing the margarita’s essential familiarity. Toro by Richard Sandoval in Chicago layers in texture with its take: The Mercado Margarita features passionfruit, jalapeño-infused blanco tequila, lime, hibiscus and rosemary foam and a Tajín rim.