Innocent Passion

The Innocent Passion is a vibrant, non-alcoholic highball that puts passion fruit front and center. It’s a go-to for guests who want something complex and refreshing without the booze, or anyone looking for a flavorful, low-key drink. This isn’t just a juice and soda mix; the balance of sweet, tart, and fizz makes it a genuinely satisfying option. Expect it to disappear quickly on a warm afternoon.

Innocent Passion

4.42 from 17 votes

Calories: 101kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 4 oz Passion-Fruit Puree
▢ 1 Dash(s) Cranberry Juice
▢ 1 Dash(s) Lemon Juice
▢ 10-12 oz Club Soda

Instructions

▢
Add syrup and juices to a collins glass. Fill with chilled club soda. Garnish with a cherry and serve with a long straw.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 101kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 13g (4%)Sugar: 12g (13%)

Mocktail

Where it came from

Mocktails like the Innocent Passion are a relatively modern development, gaining traction in the last few decades as bars and restaurants began to offer more sophisticated non-alcoholic choices. Unlike classic cocktails with specific inventors, this kind of simple, fruit-forward soda build likely emerged organically across various establishments looking to cater to a broader clientele.

This drink sits squarely in the non-alcoholic highball family, similar to a Shirley Temple or a Virgin Mojito. What sets the Innocent Passion apart is its reliance on the distinct, tropical tang of passion fruit, moving beyond the usual cherry or mint profiles to offer something more exotic and brightly flavored.

You’d find the Innocent Passion on menus at trendy brunch spots, poolside bars, or any establishment that prioritizes inclusive beverage options. It’s also a solid choice for home entertaining, offering a vibrant drink that everyone, regardless of alcohol preference, can enjoy at a backyard barbecue or a casual gathering.

What it tastes like

On the first sip, the Innocent Passion hits with a burst of sweet and tangy passion fruit, which dominates the front palate. As it moves through, the cranberry and lemon juices provide a tart counterpoint, cutting through the initial sweetness and adding a layer of bright acidity. The finish is clean and effervescent, thanks to the club soda, leaving a refreshing, fruity aftertaste that invites another sip.

This is a mocktail, meaning it contains zero alcohol. With 0% ABV, it’s significantly lighter than a standard beer, which typically ranges from 4-6% ABV, and has no alcohol content compared to most cocktails, which often hover around 15-25% ABV. It’s purely for flavor and refreshment.

The technique

Building this drink is straightforward: grab a chilled Collins glass first. Pour in your passion fruit puree, then add the dashes of cranberry and lemon juice. Give it a quick stir to combine the base flavors. Then, fill the glass with plenty of ice and top it off with cold club soda. A gentle stir to integrate the soda without losing too much fizz, then garnish and serve.

The most important technique here is ensuring your club soda is as cold and fresh as possible. Flat or lukewarm soda kills the drink’s appeal, turning it from a vibrant, fizzy refreshment into a bland, sugary mess. Keep your soda refrigerated and open it just before pouring to preserve maximum carbonation and crispness.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Passion-Fruit Puree

Use: Good quality, unsweetened or lightly sweetened passion fruit puree is key. Look for brands that taste like fresh fruit, not artificial candy. Frozen purees often offer the best balance of flavor and convenience.
Skip: Avoid highly artificial passion fruit syrups that are loaded with corn syrup and food coloring. They’ll make the drink taste cloying and fake, completely missing the bright, natural fruit character.
Why: Passion fruit is the hero here; its unique tropical tang and aromatic profile define the drink. Without a quality puree, the ‘passion’ is lost, leaving a generic fruity soda.

Club Soda

Use: Any reputable brand of plain club soda or seltzer will work, as long as it’s fresh and well-carbonated. Q Mixers Club Soda or Fever-Tree Soda Water are solid choices if you want a premium fizz.
Skip: Don’t use tonic water; its quinine bitterness clashes with the fruity profile. Also, avoid using soda that’s been sitting open and gone flat; it will make the drink limp and unappealing.
Why: Club soda provides the essential effervescence and dilution, transforming the concentrated fruit base into a light, refreshing highball. It’s the backbone that carries the fruit flavors and makes the drink lively.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Spiked Passion

Add a spirit for an alcoholic kick.: Introduce 1.5 to 2 oz of vodka or light rum for an adult version. The neutral spirits won’t overshadow the fruit.

Tropical Twist

Swap a juice for a different tropical note.: Replace the cranberry dash with a dash of pineapple juice to lean into a more purely tropical flavor profile, adding a hint of sweetness and acidity.

Ginger Passion

Introduce a spicy, aromatic element.: Substitute the club soda with ginger ale or ginger beer for a spicier, more complex finish. Adjust the lemon juice if using ginger beer, as it often has more bite.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Passion-Fruit Puree?

A good quality passion fruit syrup can work in a pinch, but adjust the amount of other juices to maintain balance, as syrups are typically much sweeter.

No Cranberry Juice?

A dash of pomegranate juice or even a few muddled raspberries can provide a similar tart, fruity accent.

No Lemon Juice?

A dash of lime juice will offer a comparable citrus brightness, though with a slightly different flavor profile.

No Club Soda?

Sparkling water or seltzer will provide the necessary fizz, just ensure it’s unflavored.

No Collins glass?

Any tall, straight-sided glass will work just fine for serving this highball. A pint glass or a large tumbler are good alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Innocent Passion?

The Innocent Passion contains passion fruit puree, a dash of cranberry juice, a dash of lemon juice, and is topped with club soda. It’s usually garnished with a cherry.

Is the Innocent Passion alcoholic?

No, the Innocent Passion is a mocktail, meaning it contains no alcohol. It’s a non-alcoholic beverage designed for refreshment and flavor.

Can I make the Innocent Passion less sweet?

Yes, you can adjust the sweetness by using less passion fruit puree or adding an extra dash of lemon juice to increase the tartness.

What kind of passion fruit puree should I use?

Opt for a high-quality, unsweetened or lightly sweetened passion fruit puree. Frozen purees are often a good choice for consistent flavor.

What is a good garnish for Innocent Passion?

A maraschino cherry or a fresh lime wheel are classic choices. A slice of fresh passion fruit or a few mint sprigs also work well for an extra touch of flair.

Can I prepare the base mix ahead of time?

You can pre-mix the passion fruit puree, cranberry juice, and lemon juice. Store it in the fridge, then simply add ice and top with club soda when ready to serve.

Is this drink suitable for children?

Yes, as a non-alcoholic mocktail, the Innocent Passion is suitable for all ages, offering a fun and flavorful drink option.

What’s the best way to keep the drink fizzy?

Ensure your club soda is very cold and pour it gently over ice and the pre-mixed juices. Avoid over-stirring once the soda is added to preserve carbonation.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read