Jason Hook, chef/owner, H2O Kitchen
What’s special about this featured drink? The fresh passion fruit — nothing beats it, and the kaffir lime leaf. The perfume and flavor from both complement each other so well and work wonders in a summer mojito. Sourcing the best ingredients for this cocktail is everything. Do not skimp on this step.
For what occasion would you recommend this cocktail? Definitely an outside cocktail in the summer…a day with sunshine and water, whether it be poolside, at the beach, or at a lake.
Passion Fruit + Raspberry Mojito Kaffir Lime Leaf
Recipe by Jason Hook, chef/owner, H2O Kitchen
(yield: 4 servings)
Tools needed
- cocktail shaker and strainer
- fine mesh sieve
- cocktail spoon for muddling
Ingredients
- 8 counts of fresh passion fruit
- 1 cup fresh-picked raspberries
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, extra for garnish
- 6 ounces light rum
- 5 Tbsp. kaffir lime leaf simple syrup (technique below)
- 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 6 ounces fresh lime juice
- 5-7 ice cubes, plus more for your glass of choice (I prefer highball but a tall Collins is also great.)
- club soda
Instructions
- For the kaffir lime simple syrup, combine 1 cup sugar with a half-cup water and 12-15 whole kaffir lime leaves in a non-reactive sauce pot. Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Lower to a simmer and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. Pull off the heat and let cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container, leaves and all, to continue to steep in the refrigerator.
- Cut the passion fruit down the center and push through a fine mesh strainer to catch all of the juice. Press against the passion fruit gently to also catch the pulp. Try to get as much juice and pulp out of the fruit as possible. Reserve the seeds. Set the juice aside.
- In a cocktail mixer, muddle the mint and granulated sugar together to help release the oils from the mint. Add kaffir lime leaf simple syrup, rum, lime juice and ice. Shake vigorously.
- Add ice to your glasses and divide the mixture among them. Top with a splash of club soda and stir in the passion fruit juice and pulp, as well as the fresh raspberries. Top with more fresh mint leaves and the reserved passion fruit seeds.
Have a Drink with Jason Hook
Jason Hook, a professional photographer and food stylist, is also the chef/owner behind H2O Kitchen, providing private in-home events and catering services as well as restaurant/bar consulting. As a chef, Jason treats mixology behind the bar with the same principles as in the kitchen, letting the ingredients be the star and giving them the respect and care they deserve. "Everything we do at H2O Kitchen is all about providing a unique culinary dining experience for our guests and a well-thought-out beverage program is just as vital for the whole.”
Pair it With…
A great playlist with outdoor Bluetooth speakers (oh yeah...and chilled raw bar shellfish “fruits de mer” work well).
H2O Kitchen
610.750.1495
h2okitchen.com (under renovation)
h2okitchen@gmail.com
Instagram: @jasonmhook
