Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur

Chinola is a passion fruit liqueur made on the Samana peninsula of the Dominican Republic, built on the local fruit the makers describe as the sacred Dominican passion fruit. In the traditional macerated style it carries genuine fruit character rather than syrup, bottled at 21%, with the producer tying its work to regional sourcing and to community projects in Samana.

The nose is tropical and fresh, all ripe passion fruit and vanilla over a hint of cedar, the palate rich and sweetish with natural passion fruit flavour that runs long. Behind the bar that fresh tartness is the point: it lends bright passion fruit flavour, sweetness and a useful acidity that lifts and balances a drink. It carries a Pornstar Martini, sharpens a tropical daiquiri or margarita riff, and lengthens easily with sparkling wine or soda. Pour it over ice for a simple serve, or reach for it whenever a fruit forward drink needs real passion fruit.