This Is the Glamorous Cocktail You’ll Be Sipping All Summer

This summer, forget about trends like jalapeño-infused Sauvignon blanc (a hard pass for us), or another Aperol Spritz. We checked in with leading mixologists to find out what they predict will be the drink of the summer. Those in the know say the glamorous cocktail in everyone’s glass this summer will be the Passion Star Martini. It’s a drink as flirty and fabulous as the season, one with a fun backstory and a flavor you won't want to miss. It's also a looker—who could resist this golden drink in a coupe glass?

The Story of the Passion Star Martini

You might have heard of the drink by another name, the Pornstar Martini, but there's nothing vulgar about it despite that cheeky moniker. It's vibrant, velvety, vanilla passionfruit bliss in a glass. Invented in 2002 by South African bartender Douglas Ankrah at London’s The Townhouse Bar, the cocktail pairs vanilla vodka and passionfruit puree and liqueur with a splash of lime and a sidecar, aka a shot, of Champagne or sparkling wine served on the side. The garnish is half of a passion fruit. It's a fruity, sweet, yet balanced drink.

Not a classic martini, it's more like the popular 80s martini-inspired drinks like the Cosmo or the Lemon Drop Martini. Over the years, the Pornstar Martini has developed a cult following in the U.K. and beyond—and this year it has gone fully global.

You might be a little shy to order a “Pornstar Martini” out loud at the bar (we get it). Thankfully, it also has a more discreet, but equally delicious alias making the rounds: the Passion Star Martini.

Same glam cocktail, slightly less blushing at the bar.

Why It’s Trending Now

It's the perfect fusion of nostalgia and novelty, says mixologist Nelson Lemus, global brand ambassador for Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs. "It brings back the early 2000s energy—bold, glamorous, a bit rebellious—but with today’s obsession for quality ingredients and fresh flavor.” That duality is fueling the drink’s moment in the spotlight. "The cocktail is indulgent without being inaccessible, dramatic without being pretentious, he notes.

Abigail Gullo, Creative Director of Loa Bar at the International House Hotel in New Orleans, agrees. “It’s the classic 20-year cycle. A new generation is coming up, wanting to try the drinks that were popular in their youth.”

Gabe Urrutia, author, spirits educator, and professor at the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University, agrees, placing the Passion Star Martini at the intersection of drinkers longing for simpler times and a desire for authenticity. "We’re seeing classic cocktails being reimagined and reinterpreted, allowing guests to relive fond memories and create new ones. Digging into the early 2000s brings us to a time where there’s less social media and more social bonding," he says.

Beyond ‘90s and ‘00s nostalgia, this cocktail taps into a return to theatrical drinking. In today's digital world, spectacular visuals set the trends (all the better for posting and sharing!). On TikTok and Instagram, bartenders cracking open passionfruit pods and pouring glistening gold cocktails into coupe glasses have helped make the drink a social media darling.

What Makes the Passion Star Martini So Delicious

The real magic of the Passion Star Martini lies in its balance of bright, juicy, and creamy notes. Vanilla vodka gives it a smooth, dessert-like foundation, while tart passionfruit adds zing and freshness, and lime juice enhances the zippy and bright qualities.

"It's a perfect summer sipper,” says Urrutia. “The tropical flavors transport you to a sunny paradise, perfect for warm weather vibes. As you sip, the tang and the sweet of the passion fruit and the bubbly Champagne is refreshing. It’s the ultimate cocktail to spice up your summer gatherings and BBQs, and it pairs great with food.”

And the drink is better than ever; Bartenders are taking the 2002 original and elevating it for a modern audience, says Lemus. "That starts with flavor. Many are swapping artificial syrups and purees for real, high-quality passion fruit liqueurs that have real fruit flavor and natural acidity, which gives the cocktail more balance and depth.” Gullo notes that not only are there better passion fruit liqueurs and purees available, but passionfruit is now carried in more markets and grocery stores. And in New Orleans, she can sometimes get local Maypop passionflowers to garnish her drinks.

It’s not just what’s in the glass; it’s how it’s served: "The sparkling wine is part of the ritual," says Lemus. It's served on the side and adds effervescence, elegance, and a bit of maximalist flair. (Consider it the cocktail version of the "caviar on everything" trend.). He recommends sipping the cocktail first to enjoy the passion fruit and vanilla combination, then taking the sparkling wine as a crisp palate cleanser, explaining that it resets your taste buds and brightens the experience.

Don't skip the sparkling wine says Gullo. It's essential to the experience. The bubbles cut through the tart-sour sweetness and elevate the drink. At Loa Bar, they serve Champagne or Crémant du Jura on the side in vintage crystal glassware, but you can go with your sparkling wine of choice and a short, pretty glass from your collection—that's a better option than a shot glass.

How to Make a Passion Star Martini

Get out your shaker and have plenty of ice on hand; this drink comes together with vigorous shaking to create a well-chilled libation. Everything goes into the shaker except for the passion fruit garnish and the sparkling wine. Strain the drink into coupe glasses and float a passionfruit half on top for garnish. Serve with two ounces of chilled sparkling wine on the side of each drink.

Passion Star Martini Variations

The original is iconic, but bartenders are having fun pushing the boundaries, and once you've shaken up a few, you might like to try some variations.

Change up the spirit: “We’re seeing vodka infused with vanilla beans or replaced entirely with other spirits: gins, even mezcals,” says Lemus.

Go spritzy: There are versions where the sparkling wine is built into the drink for a lighter, spritz-style Passion Star.

Try non-alcoholic spirits: Clarified or low-ABV riffs show just how versatile and relevant this drink can be across styles, notes Lemus.

Mix it up with rum: Urrutia has a favorite variation: “I’ve seen a clarified rum version made with Brugal 1888 and topped with Champagne. The rum and passionfruit are best friends—it’s a great twist.”