We know having a proper cocktail during the holiday season is one way to get through an evening with the family. Or “a cameras on” remote office party. But instead of opting for a traditional mulled wine, cider, or egg nog which honestly are a bit basic (sorry/not sorry), we’re convinced the best way to escape this holiday season is a trip to a tropical climate. The Dominican Republic to be exact.

Because it is in the Dominican Republic that the inspiration for the passion-fruit based Chinola Liqueur comes from. At Leisurely, we love exploring new drinks and the people that help us get our hands on them. So we decided to connect with the folks at Chinola to learn more about why showing up with a bottle of Chinola might be the best move you can make.

So in the spirit of the holiday season, let’s get to you know a bit better and learn more about what makes Chinola a complete game changer for bartenders

I’m Andrew Merinoff and I’m the Chair and a co-founder of Chinola Liqueur. The other co-founders are Robert Pallone and Michael Krychowecky.

In 2012, we partnered with chemist Robert Lehner, a native Austrian living in the Dominican Republic and he was fascinated by the chinola fruit (chinola is what locals call passion fruit). We were instantly amazed by the fruit’s unique tart and sweet balance, as well as its tropical essences, which we thought would be an ideal base for creating sensational cocktails. Robert, who was raised in a spirit and winemaking family, was able to apply his family’s old world European style of liqueur making using the passion fruit, and that is how Chinola Liqueur was born. 

What is it about passion fruit liqueur that works so well for bartenders to apply in cocktails?

The flavors of Chinola are quite unique and one of our key points of differentiation is that we are citrus forward unlike many other liqueurs which are sugar and sweet forward. We are also committed to making a product that’s free of additives. Chinola combines both a tangy and sweet essence with tropical aromas that can easily mix with a range of spirits and wines. The passion fruit doesn’t overpower the other spirits, in fact it’s an extremely balanced flavor profile which allows for a larger pour and more balanced cocktail - requiring less simple syrup for many cocktails.   

If you’re going to enjoy Chinola in a homemade cocktail or mixed drink, what are some helpful tips you’d want the home bartenders out there to keep in mind?

My favorite drink is what we call the Chismosa, which means someone who gossips in Spanish.  It’s easy to prepare, just add one ounce of Chinola to every four ounces of your favorite sparkling wine. This is also an easy drink to create by the pitcher if you are hosting a gathering. Chinola mixes well with all spirits and can be used to recreate some classic cocktails like the Margarita, Daiquiri or even a Passion Star martini.

Do you have a favorite cocktail or mixed drink that you’d suggest for a first time Chinola drinker try - after they’ve tried Chinola straight out of the bottle?

The Chismosa is a top pick of mine and a good place to start when experimenting with Chinola. It’s simply Chinola and sparkling wine on the rocks. I’d also recommend adding Chinola to your Margarita, or a Spicy Jalapeño Margarita with Tajin or another spicy rim. 

I’m also seeing a trend of low ABV drinks. In addition to the Chismosa, I also recommend the Chinola Spritz which has a low ABV – just add Chinola to your traditional Spritz recipe and it’s a game changer!

Are there any foods that you’ve found to pair really well with Chinola? 

Chinola is an extremely versatile beverage that mixes well with different spirits so it can really be enjoyed with a variety of foods with both a sweet and savory profile.  For those with a savory palate, ceviche is a great option that’s light and refreshing. And, there’s no better complement than pairing Chinola with a panna cotta for those looking for a sweet, but not overly indulgent dessert.  

How is Chinola helping shine the spotlight on the food and drink culture of the Dominican Republic?

The passion fruit is a sacred fruit of the Dominican Republic and chinola is the unique name that Dominicans gave to the cherished fruit. Chinola embodies some of the most popular flavors and aromas in the Dominican Republic. What’s more is all the passion fruit we use to make Chinola is grown in the Samaná Peninsula in the northeast of the Dominican Republic, where we’ve taken genuine interest in the farming community. We want people to recognize the origin of the product they’re drinking, and we hope that Chinola’s story inspires them to want to learn more about the food and drink destination from which it comes.

If you’re looking to snag a bottle, head to Chinola’s website to find our where it’s currently available for purchase.

Speaking of holiday drinking experiences, the King of Cocktails Dale DeGroff is hosting a little soiree on December 1st where you can learn how to pull off a flaming tableside presentatiion for a Café Brûlot. You can score an exclusive ticket through Leisurely here.