Purple Passion Potion #5

Many moons ago, when I was in college, there was this “totally awesome” drink made out of Everclear called Purple Passion. It came in a 4 pack or a 2 liter bottle, tasted a little like grape soda on steroids and was very popular with college girls (of legal drinking age, of course) because it didn’t have a super strong taste of alcohol. The bonus was you only needed a couple drinks to feel buzzed. It made a resurgence in the mid-90’s and again in 2014, but they changed the recipe and it was never as good as the original.

I was feeling very nostalgic for Purple Passion the other day looking through some old photos, so I decided to set out and recreate the recipe. I didn’t have any Everclear (yikes, that stuff is crazy strong) but I thought vodka would be a good place to start.

I was given a gift box of Covington Gourmet Vodka a couple of months ago and decided it was time to test it out. It’s made right here in North Carolina and it’s very special. “It’s expertly crafted in small batches using a combination of traditional and modern distilling practices. Our unhurried approach and varietal selection of locally grown Covington sweet potatoes costs us a little more, however, ensures a truly premium vodka.”

Yes, you read that right! It’s made from sweet potatoes, grown in Snow Hill, North Carolina. Not too far from where I live.

I have to say I’m a big fan of Covington Vodka! Their slogan is “The Best Yam Vodka on Earth” for a reason. It won a prestigious Gold Medal in the 13th annual World Spirits Competition. More than 1,400 entrees were judged and just 12 were awarded a Gold Medal, four were awarded a Double Gold.

I think Covington Vodka has a “softer” flavor than regular vodka. Here is how they describe it on their website: “Produced in small batches to capture the middle 60 percent known as the “heart” of the distillate. This handcrafting yields a smooth, clear lovely character, coaxed from the fruits of the land. The spent mash is returned to the soil to enrich the next crop.” You should really give it a try!!

Anyhow, back to Purple Passion. It took a few tries to get the flavor just like I remembered. Five to be exact. NOTE TO SELF: when you start taste-testing drinks at 10:30 am on a Sunday (don’t judge, I needed the good light for photos) you have to pace yourself. By noon I was a bit tipsy! But the outcome was well worth it!

You can make Purple Passion Potion #5 on the rocks or frozen. You don’t really need any special equipment to make it, aside from a blender if you are going to have it frozen. I do love this Mixologist World Cocktail Shaker Bar Set though. It makes easy work of mixing cocktails. The three-piece 24 oz stainless steel cocktail shaker is very well made and will hold up to 3 drinks. I especially like the twisted bar spoon. It stands up on its end so you don’t have to set it down on the table or counter when you are mixing drinks.

Purple Passion Potion #5

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Purple Passion Potion #5

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Covington Sweet Potato vodka (or your fav brand)
• 1 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1 1/2 oz Blue Curaco
• 4 oz Cran Grape juice
• 2 oz Sprite
• Strawberry, blackberries and mint for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the alcohol, juice and Sprite together in a blender with 1-2 cups of ice.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour in a glass and garnish with the berries and mint (optional).
4. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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Do you remember Purple Passion? I’d love for you to try this version and let me know what you think! Slainte!! (cheers in Gaelic)