I first tasted the Outer Rim cocktail at Galaxy’s Edge last summer. Immediately after that first sip, I got obsessed – honestly, I spent the next few weekends turning my kitchen into a wild science lab, trying to recreate it. There may or may not have been a “sticky floor incident” involving a bottle of passion fruit juice and a dog running underfoot (lesson learned: don’t attempt bartending with pets around). But after some trial, error, and a few very weird versions, I finally dialed in a home recipe that nails the flavor and vibe of the original.
If you haven’t had it, the Outer Rim is one of those magical Disney drinks that’s way more than the sum of its parts. It debuted at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and I swear, it tastes like what you’d drink gazing out at alien suns setting over a spaceport. The signature look comes from a swoop of black salt on the rim – supposedly to evoke the endless night of outer space against a glowing orange-red drink. My first time making it at home, my black salt rim was so uneven it looked like the Millennium Falcon after a rough hyperspace landing, but it still tasted amazing.
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What makes this drink a hit at my place – other than the Star Wars connection – is the combo of flavors. The passion fruit is so lush and tropical, you can almost feel the humidity. The lime gives a punch of tartness, which balances the sweetness perfectly. Rum adds that satisfying warmth, and a splosh of orange liqueur ties everything together. It’s one of my favorite ways to start a movie night, whether there’s a Star Wars marathon queued up or not.
Ingredients
- 2 oz passion fruit juice (get the real stuff if you can!)
- 1.5 oz rum (light or gold; I go gold for extra richness)
- 0.5 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or whatever’s on hand)
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice (must be fresh – trust me!)
- Black salt for rimming the glass
- Ice
How to Make an Outer Rim
- Grab a rocks glass and rub a fresh lime wedge around the rim. Dip it into a plate of black salt (or regular salt, if that’s all you’ve got). Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the passion fruit juice, rum, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake it like you’re dodging TIE fighters – really give it a vigorous 15-20 seconds so it gets good and cold.
- Pop some fresh ice in your rimmed glass, strain the mixture over, and you’re in business.
My nephew actually loves a mocktail version – just leave out the alcohol and add a splash of soda water for fizz. If I’m being totally honest, I make the alcohol-free version for myself sometimes when I have work the next morning, and it still feels festive.
Food-wise, the Outer Rim is a surprise all-star. I made it one night to go with grilled shrimp tacos, and people went nuts over the way the sweet-tart drink mellowed out the spicy taco filling. Pro tip: it’s also dangerous with popcorn, especially during a Star Wars marathon. Or just cut up whatever tropical fruit you have and pretend you’re picnicking on Scarif.
Some things I’ve learned after making way too many: always, always use fresh lime juice, and shake hard enough to get that little frothy head on top. Can’t find black salt? Regular salt will do, or just skip the rim if you’re in a hurry – no judgment.
Want to riff on the recipe? I accidentally swapped rum for tequila one night (don’t ask, long story) and it turned out to be a thoroughly happy accident – bonus points if you add a dash of blue curaçao to make it look even more intergalactic. Mango juice instead of passion fruit is another fun twist.
Fair warning: it’s not exactly a “light” drink thanks to all that fruit juice, but hey, sometimes you need a treat. If I’m pretending to be healthy, I’ll use seltzer to top off a half-portion of the juice – it still tastes pretty close, especially after the second one.
At this point, I’ve made Outer Rims for every nerdy gathering at my place, and it’s become an expected part of the ritual. There’s something perfect about watching the Millennium Falcon jump to hyperspace with a glass of Outer Rim in hand and a plate of “Wookiee Cookies” nearby. It’s about as close as I’ll get to Mos Eisley – and I’m totally good with that.
