Pitaya Is in Season, So Let’s Freeze Some Cubes for Quick and Delicious Pitaya Cocktails

Why we wait months on end for this seasonal delicacy

The pitaya (AKA pitahaya or dragon fruit) possesses a mild, subtly sweet flavor and a delicate, refreshing quality. Perfect for pitaya cocktails.

Why do we eagerly wait for pitaya season? It’s the pitaya’s unique taste that has us hooked. It is often described as a cross between a pear and a kiwi, but less intense. So it’s perfect for fruit salads, juices, smoothies, or in this case, adult beverages.

For us, it’s a hometown hero. It is native to the Yucatán Peninsula and western Central America. Readers from north of the border know it as dragon fruit. The name probably refers to its exotic, brightly colored skin that resembles spikes, i

Pitaya season in Yucatán lasts from May to September (the hottest months of the year), which is convenient as this refreshing fruit is the least expensive during this time. Choosing the right pitaya is a little like selecting an avocado: You want to find one that is slightly soft to the touch and has even-colored skin with no dark spots. 

Because pitaya grows so well in Asia, it has become a staple in countries like Vietnam and the Philippines, where it first arrived from the New World. But enough history, let’s get to the fun part. 

The Fun Part!

Of course, there are many ways to enjoy the noble pitaya. The most popular is to scoop out the white flesh (red in some regions) and enjoy it on its own or as part of a fruit salad, pairing it with mangoes or bananas. Because of its flavor profile, the pitaya pairs exceptionally well with most citrus, especially lemons and limes, which bring out its sweetness.

But fruit salad aside, they are perfect for making pitaya cocktails for grown-ups and fun drinks for kids. After “extensive research” and discovering how well frozen pitaya cubes work, here are some of our favorite creations.  

Regardless of what you plan to do with your pitayas, you will need to cut them first, which is best achieved by slicing them in half lengthwise and then scooping out each half in one piece.

Fresh ‘N’ Easy Pitaya Margarita

For drinks such as pitaya Margaritas, cut the flesh into chunks and put them into a blender with the juice of a whole lime and 1 tbsp of water per fruit. Make sure not to blend for too long (a couple of seconds is enough), as you will want some chunks for texture. Pour the liquid into ice trays and wait a couple of hours.

Take the frozen pitaya cubes and place them into a glass. Then, add a shot of tequila or mezcal and another shot of Cointreau. Some will argue that for a Margarita to live up to its name, it must have a salted rim, but honestly, in this case, the salt detracts from the already rich flavors at work.

Emma’s Pitaya & Piña Niña Colada

My preteen daughter’s love of pineapple and pitaya inspires this chilled kids’ drink. Take the same frozen pitaya cubes from the previous recipe, but this time add a few chunks of pineapple before putting them all in the blender and mixing for a couple of seconds. The combination of the pitaya and the pineapple works surprisingly well, with the latter adding a bit of tartness.

After pouring the liquid two-thirds of the way into a plastic cup, add mineral water and a couple of basil or mint leaves for added freshness. Place it in the freezer again for 10 to 15 minutes and hand it to your little one. This same basic mix also works well for frozen popsicles. 

The Pitaya Screwdriver

Aside from pitaya cocktails, there are simple mixed drinks as well. As you have probably realized by now, we have become quite enamored of the hack that is the frozen pitaya cube. For a pitaya screwdriver, fill your cup with the pitaya cubes, add a couple of shots of vodka, pour fresh orange juice into the mixture, and gently stir. 

If you decide to go “full Yucatán” and experiment with sour oranges, you may want to add a little sugar. 

So keep a few trays of frozen pitaya cubes for when the mood strikes, and raise your glass to Yucatán’s wonder fruit.