Lilikoi lemonade is liquid sunshine. That bright, tangy passion fruit combined with lemon creates something so refreshing, so perfectly balanced, that one sip transports you straight to a Hawaiian afternoon.
Lilikoi (passion fruit) grows wild across Hawaii—you’ll find vines climbing fences, sprawling over abandoned cars, and producing those wrinkly purple fruits that smell like pure tropical paradise. When lilikoi is in season, everyone’s making juice, and this lemonade is one of the best ways to enjoy it.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh lilikoi pulp (about 6-8 fruits)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
- 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 cups cold water
- Ice
- Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the lilikoi: Cut passion fruits in half and scoop out the pulp and seeds into a bowl.
- Make simple syrup: Heat 1 cup water with sugar, stirring until dissolved. Let cool.
- Strain (optional): For smooth lemonade, strain lilikoi through a fine mesh sieve, pressing to extract juice. For more texture, use pulp with seeds.
- Combine: In a large pitcher, mix lilikoi juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and remaining water.
- Taste and adjust: Add more sugar if too tart, more lemon if too sweet.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Serve: Pour over ice, garnish with mint if desired.
Tips
- Ripe lilikoi – Fruits should be wrinkly and give slightly when pressed
- Seeds or no seeds – Both ways are traditional. Seeds add crunch.
- Freeze extra pulp – Lilikoi freezes beautifully in ice cube trays
- No fresh lilikoi? – Look for frozen passion fruit pulp at Latin markets
Variations
- Sparkling version: Use sparkling water instead of still
- Lilikoi limeade: Swap lemon for lime
- Adult version: Add 2 oz vodka or rum per glass
More Island Drinks
Love tropical Hawaiian beverages? Try these other island favorites:
- POG Juice – Hawaii’s passion orange guava juice
- Guava Nectar Punch – Hawaiian party drink
- Blue Hawaii Cocktail – The original island drink
