# Passion Pop

Passion Pop is an Australian carbonated, fruit-flavoured alcoholic beverage that has been a notable presence in the country's drinking culture since its inception.
It was created by Frank “Pop” Miranda in 1977/1978 at the C-Seka winery in Griffith, New South Wales. The rights to the beverage were later acquired by Australian Vintage, which now owns and produces the beverage. It comes in four flavours: passion fruit, mixed berry, strawberry, watermelon and peach.

## Description

Passion Pop is labelled as a carbonated, flavoured juice. At 9.5% alcohol, one 750 mL Champagne-style glass bottle contains 5.3 standard drinks. It was one of the first beverage products in Australia to utilize a plastic stopper (or "cork").

## Public image

Passion Pop has been noted in Australian popular culture for its affordability and widespread availability, particularly among younger consumers. When, in 2008, the New South Wales Police Force launched a campaign aimed at addressing underage drinking and promoting responsible alcohol consumption, it was named 'Operation Passion Pop.' The beverage has also been referenced in media outlets such as BuzzFeed, which described it as a well-known Australian drink.

## Hands of Passion Drinking Game and Cultural Impact

The term “Hands of Passion” refers to a drinking game that has emerged among consumers of Passion Pop, an Australian carbonated, fruit-flavoured alcoholic beverage. This game is played socially at gatherings and is one of several informal drinking activities that use Passion Pop as a central element. Although the specific rules tend to vary by group and region, players generally perform a series of tasks or dares while consuming Passion Pop rapidly. Anecdotal accounts suggest that the game is popular among younger drinkers and is valued both for its spontaneity and its ability to reinforce the beverage's reputation for affordability and widespread availability.

### Game Structure and Rules

Reports indicate that the game typically involves players engaging in rounds during which they must follow predetermined challenges or perform dares linked to the act of drinking Passion Pop. In many versions of Hands of Passion, failure to complete a challenge results in an extra drink, while successful completion may offer the chance to assign penalties to other participants. The flexible and often improvisational nature of the game allows for regional and social variations, contributing to its role as a staple of informal Australian drinking culture.

### Notable Cultural References

Passion Pop has long been a subject of popular culture in Australia. Its use in drinking games such as Hands of Passion further underscores the brand's cultural resonance. The beverage is celebrated for its distinctive flavours, including passion fruit, mixed berry, strawberry, watermelon, and peach, and its pioneering packaging innovations, such as the early adoption of a plastic stopper. Additionally, the drink has been mentioned in public campaigns (for example, the New South Wales Police Force's Operation Passion Pop) and in media outlets, cementing its status as an iconic and much-discussed product within Australian youth culture.
In some variations of Hands of Passion is an Australian adaptation of the drinking game Edward Fortyhands, incorporating Passion Pop, In this variation, participants have a bottle of Passion Pop duct-taped to each hand and must consume both bottles before they can remove them, thereby regaining the use of their hands.
Gameplay:
* Preparation:
** Each participant requires two bottles of Passion Pop and duct tape.
* Setup:
** With assistance, securely duct-tape a bottle of Passion Pop to each of the participant's hands, ensuring they cannot use their hands for anything else.
* Objective:
** Participants must drink both bottles entirely before they can remove the duct tape and regain the use of their hands.
Challenges:
* Physical Limitations: With both hands incapacitated, participants face challenges in performing routine tasks, such as using the toilet or answering a phone, until they finish their drinks.
* Time Constraint: The need to regain hand functionality often encourages participants to consume the beverages more quickly than they might otherwise, adding a competitive element to the game.
Cultural Context:
Passion Pop is a widely recognised beverage in Australia, known for its affordability and variety of flavours, including passion fruit, mixed berry, strawberry, watermelon, and peach. The adaptation of Edward Fortyhands to Hands of Passion reflects the integration of local preferences into global drinking game traditions.
Origin of Edward Fortyhands:
The original game, Edward Fortyhands, involves duct-taping a 40-ounce (approximately 1.18 litres) bottle of malt liquor to each hand, rendering the participant unable to use their hands until both bottles are consumed. The name is a play on the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, referencing the character's inability to use his hands for everyday tasks.
These drinking games and associated social practices have contributed to the public image of Passion Pop as not only an affordable beverage but also a facilitator of communal celebration and casual, spirited social interactions.

## Pop Culture

Passion Pop's enduring presence in Australian pop culture is a testament to its unique position as an accessible and nostalgic beverage. Its influence extends beyond the bottle, encapsulating themes of youth, affordability, and the quintessential Australian social experience.

### Film and Television References

* Short Film "Passion Pop" (2025): Directed by Chris Elena, this upcoming short film features actors Courtney Cavallaro, Emma Wright, Chantelle Jamieson, and Laneikka Denne. While specific plot details are limited, the film's title suggests a thematic connection to the beverage, potentially exploring its role or symbolism within Australian youth culture.
* Surf Film "Passion Pop" (2006): This surf film showcases the talents of surfers like Taj Burrow, Andy Irons, Joel Parkinson, James Wood, Jordy Smith, Shaun Cansdell, and Luke Dorrington. The title "Passion Pop" not only references the beverage but also denotes a surfing maneuver, highlighting the drink's integration into surfing subculture.