Cocktail: Passion Fruit Margarita.

For me, one of the most wonderful things about food and flavors is how they can evoke such strong memories. Pimento cheese makes me think of Charleston, an amazing cheese plate triggers memories of Paris and Monte Carlo, and a really great cacio e pepe makes me think of sitting at a sidewalk cafe in Rome. And anything passionfruit makes me think of my happy place, Tulum. Whenever I go there (I say that as if I’ve been more than twice), an absolute must is the passion fruit margarita at Casa Banana. It is just. so. incredible. Since then, I’ve become obsessed with all things passion fruit. I discovered that ABC Cocina (here in New York) has their own version (really good, but also deadly.) I’ve also discovered passion fruit donuts at Dough which is a major problem, given that swimsuit season is just a month or two away.

But anyway, passion fruit. Tulum. Passion fruit margarita. Tulum in a glass. So good. So I set out to make my own, and I have to say… it’s pretty darn good. You’ll need passion fruit juice and actual passion fruits (both of which are available at Whole Foods.) Note that two people at Whole Foods told me that they don’t sell passion fruits. They are wrong. Ask where the coconuts are, and the passion fruits are right next to them. Just an FYI, from someone who is passionate about passion fruit.

Ingredients: (serves two)

• 8 oz. passion fruit juice.
• one lime
• one lemon
• one passionfruit
• 2 oz. Tequila. (Note that I know nothing about tequila, but this one is good!)

Begin by filling a glass with ice and then 2/3 with passion fruit juice. Add one oz. Tequila.

Add a big squeeze of lemon and a medium squeeze of lime (I used 1/2 lemon and 1/4 lime for each drink.)

Cut your passion fruit into four pieces. Scoop the seeds of one piece into your glass, and garnish with the other piece. Add a straw. A cute paper one, if you’re into that… and enjoy!