This beverage is never seen on local restaurant menus but every Bermudian knows it. Some people call it ‘beach drink’, others call it ‘church drink’, but most know it simply as ‘drink’. Unlike other famed local drinks this one is non-alcoholic.

It is made from a variety of fruit juices and ginger beer. As common as ‘drink’ is to local culture, the juices used are imported. There used to be an abundance of citrus (and pineapples in the distant past) that may have inspired the drink but sadly that era has passed. Pineapple growing is on the rise in home gardens but citrus is another matter: it requires greater investment in time, skill and cost. I propose a delicious alternative that is easy to grow, suitable for our climate, inexpensive and takes a short time to bear: passion fruit.

Throughout July and August my three passion fruit vines (started two years ago) produced an abundance of intensely delicious, red skin fruits that inspired a plethora of recipes including mouthwatering cheese cake, smoothies and food processor ‘ice creams’. The simplest and most satisfying was chilled ‘drink’.

The price of one imported passion fruit (last time I checked two years ago) was $4; I saw some recently growing on a chain-link fence and being sold at $2 each. Passion fruit production could be a potential business requiring a minimal amount of land. My fantasy is to have so much passion fruit growing in Bermuda to support a signature passion fruit ‘Bermuda Drink’. Feel free to run with this idea.

It is not right for only a few growers to have the luxury of this fruit in our yards. Every single home could/should have a vine or two. They take up very little space in the ground (one to two feet) and can be allowed to climb existing fences, walls and trees. I have saved more than 1,000 passion fruit seeds to make it possible. See details below on how to get some.

To begin:

As soon as you get your free seeds, plant them a quarter-inch deep in potting soil and wait at least two to three weeks for the seeds to come up (germinate). Keep the soil moist, not soggy, out of direct sun, and check often. The vines can also be reproduced from cuttings.

Next steps:

Once germinated and at least two true leaves appear, gently separate the young seedlings and transplant them into separate four-inch pots. Care for them as you would any other seedling until they reach eight inches when they can be transplanted to a larger pot or directly in the ground in a sunny, well-prepared spot protected from strong winds. The vines, during the warm months, produce rampant growth so be sure to water and fertilise periodically. Their lifespan varies but generally three to seven years or more. Start more plants every two or three years to avoid fruitless years.

Self or bee pollination:

It takes about six months to a year or so for passion fruit vines to bear fruit depending on when they are planted. The gorgeous flower, resembling the popular “Passion of Christ” flower have five disc-like stamen anthers (male parts) which hold the pollen and three stigmas with enlarged tips (female parts) conveniently located near each other.

When self-pollinating the anthers turn upward to ‘kiss’ the stigma and leave pollen behind. Bees sometimes do the pollinating but if the flowers drop off and no fruit forms it means that pollination has not occurred and hand-pollination is needed.

You can do it:

As each flower blooms take a soft artist’s brush and collect some pollen from under the anthers and brush some gently onto the underside of the bulbous stigma. I taught this to my grandson when he was two years old so anyone can do it.

Harvest time:

If pollination occurs, in a few days you will notice a small smooth green egg-shaped fruit that takes about 12 weeks to mature and ripen. The red, pink or purple fruit will fall off the vine when ripe; the skin has a foam-like lining that cushions the fall. You can wait until the skin shrivels for optimum ripeness but it can also be consumed right away. Cut it in half, scoop out the contents with a spoon and swallow juice, seeds, and all, or strain the seeds and use the juice for ‘drink’ or other recipes.

Pruning:

Cut back the vines after harvest but not too severely as this could be detrimental. Trim at any time if the growth is too rampant.

Bermuda Drink

(one pitcher)

Eight or more passion fruits

Sweetener of your choice

One cup of orange juice (optional)

One cup of pineapple juice (optional)

One can of ginger beer (optional)

Water

Ice cubes

Fresh mint leaves

Cut fruit in half and strain the seed from the fruit juice. There will be about a cup or more juice.

The juice is quite concentrated. Add water and sugar, mix and chill or serve immediately in tall glasses of ice. Add a sprig of mint as an accent and essence. Vary proportions to suit your taste.

Get your free passion fruit seeds:

To get some free passion fruit seeds bring an envelope or container to the Seed Saver spot at the Parking Day event that will be held on September 19 on Reid Street West 9am to noon and on Court Street 12.30pm to 4pm. First come first served, one envelope per household please.