This week I unexpectedly found myself with a basket of freshly plucked passion fruit, a generous donation from my long time ‘trail-walking’ friend, Salil. Being a nature lover, he has the passion of cultivating several fruit trees in his back yard and never fails to turn up with some of his homegrown produce to share with me every year. With so many fresh fruit on hand and scorching summer heat to cope with in the kitchen, I could not wait to convert all that passion fruit pulp into an icy cold, refreshing beverage coupled with orange juice and mint leaves straight from my kitchen garden. This is how you do it: squeeze out fruit juices before going to sleep, leave to chill overnight, pour into tall glass tumblers and enjoy a healthy dose of undiluted vitamin C at your breakfast table on the following morning.

ORANGE & PASSION FRUIT JUICE

Ingredients:

7 passion fruits, halved

5 large oranges, juiced

1/4 cup unrefined sugar

1/2 cup ice cold water

Ice cubes, to serve

Mint leaves, to garnish

Method:

  • Place passion fruit pulp and sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Stir well until sugar is dissolved.

  • Add the orange juice and stir well. Now strain the orange/passion fruit liquid into a large jug.

  • Add the ice water and ice cubes. Stir the juice well and serve immediately. Makes about 1 liter.

Refreshing Summer Drink