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The Little Ferraro Kitchen

The Little Ferraro Kitchen

World Cuisine, Made Easy

Home » Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui

Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui

by Samantha · 45 Comments

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Happy National Margarita Day! Well naturally, there’s an entire day dedicated  to sipping a cocktail. You would think it would be around Cinco de Mayo, yes? And a lot of people thought it was just yesterday, but no it’s actually today. Which means, a lot of people like Margaritas and therefore we should share them every day.

I have been in love with lilikoi recently and thanks to Melissa’s Produce for sending me a few last week! I have already made lilikoi cheesecake with them and had a few leftover to make something intoxicating, such as this lilikoi margarita! The day before I shot these photos, I scooped out the flesh to save and threw away the shells, which I am slightly regretting because I think a photo of the whole fruit would look beautiful along side this drink. And as I’ve mentioned before, if you can’t find lilikoi fruit also called passion fruit, many Hispanic markets sell the pulp frozen under their Goya brand.

Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui via LittleFerraroKitchen.com

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a few bloggy friends got together and made all sorts of Margarita inspired treats. Everything from the traditional cocktails to desserts to entrees. I really wish we were celebrating in person and not just “virtually”, but testing margaritas never hurt anybody!

So, li hung mui. A few people have asked what this is. I usually only find it in Hawaii and grew up “sucking” on li hung mui seeds all through high school. Basically it is dried plum. You can buy them as seeds in a bag and salt, sugar and sometimes food coloring is added. It’s salty, sweet, tangy and can be an acquired taste. You can also find it as a powder or coated on dried fruit, such as mango. When our friend from Hawaii visited us recently, he bought me a few bags of the powder which came in perfect for the rim. It is a strong, salty sweet taste so a little goes a long way.

Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui

Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Servings: 1 Margarita
Author: Samantha Ferraro

Ingredients

  • 3/4 oz Grand Marnier
  • 1 oz Triple sec
  • 1 oz Tequila
  • 1/4 cup lilikoi purée
  • 1 Tb simple syrup or ginger syrup recipe here
  • Ice
  • Li hing mui powder for rim
  • Orange and lime slices/wedges for garnish

Instructions

  • Begin by rimming your glass with a lime or orange wedge. I do this holding the glass upside down so there's no dripping. Then rim the edge of the glass with li hing mui powder. Fill with ice.
  • In a shaker, add everything except the li hing mui and garnish. Shake vigorously and pour into prepared glass.
  • Garnish with more lilikoi pulp, if desired and orange and lime slices.

Check out what everyone else made to celebrate National Margarita Day!

Margaritas:

  • Blackberry Margarita from Cooking for My Peace of Mind
  • Chili Lime Margarita from Curious Cuisiniere
  • Chocolate Margaritas from The Texan New Yorker
  • Creamsicle Margaritas from Savvy Eats
  • Frozen Mango Margarita from Noshing with the Nolands
  • Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
  • Margaritas Gone Wild from Delaware Girl Eats
  • Mixed Berry Margarita from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
  • Mom’s Wicked Margarita from Desserts Required
  • Pomegranate Margarita from Daily Dish Recipes
  • Spicy Raspberry Frozen Margarita from The Weekend Gourmet
  • Tamarind Margaritas from girlichef
  • The Great Grapefruit Margarita from La Cocina de Leslie
  • Tim G’s Margarita from Sidewalk Shoes

Margarita Bites:

  • Baked Margarita Chicken Wings from Healthy. Delicious.
  • Chambord Margarita Macarons from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
  • Margarita Cake with Sugar Cookie Crust from Gotta Get Baked
  • Margarita Cheesecake Bars from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
  • Margarita Cupcakes from The Foodie Army Wife
  • Margarita Donuts from Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
  • Margarita Mousse from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
  • Margarita Shrimp from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
  • Margarita Shrimp Tacos from Supper for a Steal
  • Strawberry Margarita Sweet Rolls from The Dutch Baker’s Daughter
  • Top Shelf (Margarita) Truffles from Culinary Adventures with Camilla

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This post may contain amazon affiliate links which means if you make a purchase after clicking one of those links, I will receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Filed Under: Asian + Hawaiian Recipes, Latin + South American Recipes

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Comments

  1. Liz says

    February 22, 2014 at 4:48 am

    GORGEOUS!!! And now I want to try li hing mu…what a fun twist!

    Reply
  2. Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says

    February 22, 2014 at 5:08 am

    These sound delicious! And, I agree, we should share margaritas every day!

    Reply
  3. Tara says

    February 22, 2014 at 6:02 am

    What a unique and stunning margarita, I adore your pictures!!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 22, 2014 at 8:41 am

      Thank you Tara! Such a compliment from you!

      Reply
  4. Heather // girlichef says

    February 22, 2014 at 6:26 am

    Samantha, these are seriously gorgeous! What I wouldn’t give to make this party more than virtual. And of course, now I’m dying to try both lilikoi and li hing mui… 😉 Cheers!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 22, 2014 at 8:40 am

      Thanks so much Heather!!

      Reply
  5. Danielle says

    February 22, 2014 at 7:45 am

    oh wow! so tropical and exotic sounding. I’ve never heard of lilikoi before. Now I will be on the lookout so I can see what they’re all about 🙂

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 22, 2014 at 8:40 am

      Hi Danielle! lilikoi is also called passion fruit! A lot of Hispanic markets carry the frozen pulp!!

      Reply
  6. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says

    February 22, 2014 at 8:01 am

    I’ve never heard of lilikoi or i hing mu but now I really want to try them. These are gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 22, 2014 at 8:39 am

      Thank you so much Lauren! They are also called passion fruit and you can find the pulp frozen in most Hispanic markets if you can’t find the fruit!

      Reply
  7. Susan says

    February 22, 2014 at 9:17 am

    Your pictures turned out stunning! I had a feeling lilikoi was passion fruit but figured I’d wait until your reveal!

    Reply
  8. Hezzi-D says

    February 22, 2014 at 10:54 am

    These are so bright and beautiful! I have never had lilikoi and I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen it. Must get looking for it!

    Reply
  9. Leslie @ La Cocina de Leslie says

    February 22, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    Oh my goodness gracious! These margaritas are gorgeous! And I’m very curious about li hing mui. It sounds like a childhood favorite snack of mine called “saladitos”, which are dried salted plums with or without spice. So good!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 23, 2014 at 9:19 am

      It does sound similar Leslie…thank so much!

      Reply
  10. pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says

    February 22, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    This sounds amazing and your photos are gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 23, 2014 at 9:19 am

      Thank you so much, Pam!

      Reply
  11. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

    February 22, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    I love that I learned about a new ingredient today. What a fun recipe, and that color is amazing!!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 23, 2014 at 9:19 am

      Thank you so much Renee! I hope you try passion fruit (aka lilikoi) someday! Its so beautiful!

      Reply
  12. Julie says

    February 22, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Gah, that color is so pretty! Great margarita idea!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 23, 2014 at 9:17 am

      Thanks Julie!!!

      Reply
  13. Nancy @ gottagetbaked says

    February 22, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    Sam, your drink and photos are absolutely GAW-GEOUS! I’ve never been able to photograph drinks this beautifully. I need to learn your secrets! I also need a pitcher of this drink! I think Chinese people have dried plum that’s very similar to li hung mui. It sounds just like our version, it’s dried up and is salty/sour/sweet. I loved it as a kid.

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 23, 2014 at 9:08 am

      Yes it does sound the same! salty/sweet/sour kinda thing…love it!! And honestly…I just get lucky with the photos thing!!..for real lol

      Reply
  14. Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says

    February 23, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    This. Is. GORGEOUS!!!

    Reply
  15. Laura @ Tide & Thyme says

    February 24, 2014 at 7:38 am

    These are absolutely beautiful. Will have to try to find some passion fruits next time I’m up towards civilization again!

    Reply
  16. Julie @ Texan New Yorker says

    February 24, 2014 at 9:25 am

    How unique! (And educational). 🙂 Gorgeous color, too, wow! I may try these with passion fruit sometime. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Delaware Girl Eats says

    February 24, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Now this is one I’m definitely going to have to try!

    Reply
  18. Erin | The Law Student's Wife says

    February 26, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    LOOK at the color! I need one of these to help me ward of winter. One or, you know, three.

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 27, 2014 at 8:04 am

      Thanks Erin! Ya you guys are having a rough winter!

      Reply
  19. Lucy Parissi says

    March 29, 2014 at 8:11 am

    Thanks for your comment on my passionfruit martini – glad I discovered your blog! Have some catching to do. Love this cocktail – pinning and planning to make ASAP!

    Reply
  20. Jill Roberts says

    August 2, 2017 at 3:54 am

    This Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui is perfect drink for hot summer! I’ll try it! Also i’ll try chocolate margaritas and margarita cupcakes! Thx for sharing recipe and links!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      August 2, 2017 at 8:36 am

      Yesss both sounds soooo good!!!

      Reply
  21. Julia Stearns @ Healthirony says

    March 12, 2019 at 2:12 am

    5 stars
    Fantastic photos, and amazing looking Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hing Mui! I am obsessed with margaritas! I’ll definitely try it! Thanks a lot for sharing!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Margarita Cheesecake Bars for #NationalMargaritaDay - Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks says:
    February 22, 2014 at 5:25 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen […]

    Reply
  2. Frozen Mango Margarita #NationalMargaritaDay | Noshing With The Nolands says:
    February 22, 2014 at 5:53 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen […]

    Reply
  3. Chocolate Margaritas | The Texan New Yorker says:
    February 22, 2014 at 6:02 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen […]

    Reply
  4. Chambord Margarita Macarons - The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen | The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen says:
    February 22, 2014 at 6:11 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen  […]

    Reply
  5. Mom's Wicked Margarita - Desserts Required says:
    February 22, 2014 at 6:31 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen  […]

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  6. Margarita Shrimp Tacos #NationalMargaritaDay | Supper for a Steal says:
    February 22, 2014 at 6:55 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen […]

    Reply
  7. Margarita Cake with a Sugar Cookie Crust #NationalMargaritaDay | gotta get baked says:
    February 22, 2014 at 7:11 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen  […]

    Reply
  8. Baked Margarita Chicken Wings - Healthy. Delicious. says:
    February 22, 2014 at 7:13 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen […]

    Reply
  9. Margarita Mousse #NationalMargaritaDay - Cindy's Recipes and WritingsCindy's Recipes and Writings says:
    February 22, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen  […]

    Reply
  10. Chili Lime Margaritas for #‎NationalMargaritaDay‬ » Curious Cuisiniere says:
    February 23, 2014 at 2:02 am

    […] Lilikoi Margarita with Li Hung Mui from The Little Ferraro Kitchen […]

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  11. 10 SUMMER DRINKS AND COCKTAILS TO TRY | BrownQueen says:
    March 29, 2014 at 4:41 pm

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  12. Creamsicle Margaritas for National Margarita Day - Savvy Eats says:
    May 28, 2014 at 11:02 am

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  13. Pomegranate Margarita for National Margarita Day ‪#‎NationalMargaritaDay - Daily Dish Recipes says:
    September 12, 2014 at 6:38 am

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