I’ve personally taste-tested a variety of passion fruit juice substitutes to find the best one for every cooking occasion.
Whether you’re on the hunt for the closest flavor match, in need of a last-minute pantry substitute, or want a swap that fits your diet, I’ve got the answers.
Passion fruit puree is the best substitute for passion fruit juice. Or if you’re in a DIY mood, you can make passion fruit juice from scratch. If you don’t mind a slight flavor change, try other tropical juices like pineapple, mango, or guava juice.
The experiment
I made several batches of Hurricane cocktails to test out different passion fruit juice substitutes. Passion fruit juice comes from the pulp, flesh, and seeds of passion fruits. It’s a vibrant yellow drink that boasts a distinct sweet-tart flavor profile with tropical, floral, and citrus notes.
It’s a staple ingredient in summer-themed cocktails, and it’s also often used in desserts.
Here are the substitutes I tested and my verdicts:
| Substitutes | Notes | Verdict |
| Passion fruit puree | More concentrated flavor and thicker consistency | 9/10 |
| Passion fruit syrup | Sweeter | 8/10 |
| Passion fruit liqueur | Has an ABV of 20-25% | 8/10 |
| Homemade passion fruit juice | Only requires three ingredients | 8/10 |
| Pineapple juice | Has similar tropical, floral notes | 7/10 |
| Mango juice | Sweeter than passion fruit juice | 7/10 |
| Guava juice | Has a vibrant pink color | 7/10 |
Common uses for passion fruit juice
Cocktails, mocktails, smoothies: Passion fruit puree is the best substitute for these purposes. Passion fruit liqueur or syrup also works, but don’t use too much.
Baked goods and desserts: Passion fruit puree is the best substitute for these purposes. Avoid using passion fruit syrup – it’ll make your desserts too sweet.
Vinaigrettes: You can use any of the suggestions listed here, but I would avoid passion fruit liqueur unless you want a boozy salad!
Passion fruit puree
Passion fruit puree is made from the fresh pulp and flesh of the fruit, giving this substitute a more intense, concentrated flavor compared to passion fruit juice.
The other noticeable difference is its thicker consistency, but don’t let that deter you. It still blended seamlessly with the rest of the ingredients in my Hurricane cocktail. And if you find it too thick, all you need to do is dilute the puree with some water.
This will also mellow out the flavor.
How to substitute: Replace passion fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio with passion fruit puree.
Passion fruit syrup
Passion fruit syrup is another ready-made substitute that’s worth a shot. It’s passion fruit juice combined with simple syrup (which is sugar and water), creating a sweeter flavor profile compared to just straight juice.
But don’t worry, it’s not overly sugary. You still get the signature tartness of passion fruit, it’s just milder.
The catch with using passion fruit syrup? You can’t use too much of it so it only works in recipes that call for small amounts of passion fruit juice like cocktails. If you’re making a dessert where you need lots of liquid, it’s not the best option.
How to substitute: Replace passion fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio with passion fruit syrup.
Passion fruit liqueur
Now let’s talk about the wild card of the pack – passion fruit liqueur. This isn’t for everyone, but if you don’t mind a dash of alcohol in your beverages or desserts, this can be an interesting alternative.
Passion fruit liqueur carries the same sweet, fruity, and tropical notes as passion fruit juice but with a milder tang.
A word of caution though – it generally has an alcohol content of 20-25%. So again, you can only use it in recipes that call for a small amount of liquid. It would be very overwhelming if you used a lot.
Interested in picking up a bottle? Try checking your favorite liquor stores for brands like Chinola and Passoa Brands.
How to substitute: Replace passion fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio with passion fruit liqueur.
Homemade passion fruit juice
Making homemade passion fruit juice is simpler than it sounds. Passion fruits are available most of the year, with the California season running from January to November. And you only need two other ingredients – sugar and water.
Blend everything all together, strain the mixture, and there you have it – freshly made passion fruit juice, ready to be used in under 5 minutes.
Psst… you can skip straining the juice if you prefer having the seeds and pulp. And for an exciting twist, try using carbonated water instead of regular water.
How to substitute: Replace store-bought passion fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio with homemade passion fruit juice.
Pineapple juice
Pineapple juice is another tropical juice you can swap for passion fruit juice. It’s got a similar sweet-but-tart flavor profile with citrus undertones. But it will be slightly sweeter overall compared to passion fruit juice.
To up the sourness, add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
One big advantage of this substitute is availability. Pineapple juice can be found pretty much anywhere, with a whole load of different brands to choose from. You can also easily make your own pineapple juice.
How to substitute: Replace passion fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio with pineapple juice.
Mango juice
If you’re someone who finds passion fruit juice too tangy, then mango juice is a great alternative (I loved it in my hurricane cocktail).
It’s sweeter than passion fruit juice, with a very subtle tang and it’s just as tropical. Mango juice tends to have a thicker texture, but if this is a problem you can thin it out with a drop of water.
The color of mango juice is also very similar to passion fruit juice, so using it wont change the final look of your dish.
How to substitute: Replace passion fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio with mango juice.
Guava juice
Guava juice is another option with a sweet-and-sour flavor, although again it tends to be sweeter than passion fruit juice (it’s not as sweet as mango juice though). Guavas also have a delicate floral undertone that works really well in desserts and lighter cocktails.
This isn’t the most common fruit juice, but its definitely worth a try if you don’t like passion fruits.
How to substitute: Replace passion fruit juice in a 1:1 ratio with guava juice.
Other substitutes to consider
The suggestions above are my top passion fruit juice substitutes, but here are some more options you can try if you have them on hand.
- Fruit punch: This ready-made beverage features a blend of different fruit juices. It has a sweeter taste than passion fruit juice, but still comes with a subtle sourness.
- Kiwi juice: This is another option if you’re looking to maintain those tropical vibes. It has a prominent sweet-tangy flavor and it’s very refreshing.
- Orange juice: This is a last resort option, but you can use regular orange juice in place of passion fruit juice. It’s sweeter than passion fruit juice, but has citrusy notes that add a tart twist.
Substitute to avoid
I would avoid using apple juice instead of passion fruit juice. It’s a lot sweeter and doesn’t have any of the tropical, citrusy undertones that make passion fruit juice unique.
Passion Fruit Juice Substitutes + 1 To Avoid
Ingredients
- 1 cup passion fruit pulp
- 1½ cup chilled water
- 2 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blitz for 30-40 seconds or until smooth.
- Pass the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Make sure to press the pulp to get as much juice as possible, then discard the pulp.
- Serve or use immediately.
