Passoã

Passoã is a 17% ABV fruit liqueur made in France, whose main ingredient is passion fruit juice sourced from Brazil. Developed in 1985 and launched in the European market in 1986, the brand is known for its red colour and black bottle. Long owned by the Rémy Cointreau group, the brand has been under Passoã SAS, a joint venture between Lucas Bols and Rémy Cointreau, since 2016.

How did Passoã come about?

According to the brand's story, Cointreau's master distiller, while searching for orange varieties in Brazil in 1985 for a new recipe, discovered the passion fruit, known locally as maracujá. On returning to France, he was inspired by this fruit to develop Passoã. Although the name uses a Portuguese-style letter, the word itself does not exist in Portuguese; it was coined as a brand name.

What does it taste like, and how is it served?

Its nose is dominated by an intense passion fruit aroma. On the palate, fruity sweetness is balanced by a light sour freshness. Passoã is most often used as a cocktail ingredient: the Porn Star Martini, made with vanilla vodka and prosecco, is its best-known use. It can be lengthened with orange or pineapple juice over ice, or made into a light long drink with tonic or soda. Its alcohol content can vary by country; this bottle is 17% ABV.

What food does it pair with?

Its tropical fruit character pairs well with fruity desserts, particularly light desserts such as fruit salad, pavlova and sorbet. It can also be chosen as a refreshing cocktail after a light, salad-based meal at a summer gathering.