Passione Arrabbiata Cocktail

Passione Arrabbiata is the name of a cocktail from a NYC restaurant called Costata. Made with a chili-infused Cazadores reposado tequila, this drink peeked my interest from the moment I read about it. While I love the heat a chili-infused cocktail can offer (such as in my jalapeño tequila gimlet), what intrigued me so much about this drink was the use of passion fruit and tequila together. So this recipe is my version of a Passione Arrabbiata cocktail and I’m head-over-heels in love with it.

For those who have tried passion fruit, it’s best described as a luxurious tropical fruit. Technically considered a type of berry, it is actually the fruit of the passion vine. Oval in shape, with a waxy outer purple (or sometimes yellow) skin and juicy, seed-filled center that grows best in sub-tropical climates. This somewhat odd-looking fruit is gaining more attention lately as it’s considered a great source of fiber, vitamins C and A, and a great antioxidant.

Passion fruit is filled with a gelatinous pulp that’s full of seeds. The seeds are edible, but tart (which is what I love) and work well in cocktails of all kinds. This Passione Arrabbiata cocktail is a great spring or summer cocktail because of its tropical fruit undertones. Blended with some fresh lime juice, a touch of simple syrup and mixed with a good quality reposado tequila make for a smooth, sweet, yet tart cocktail you won’t be able to put down.