Strawberry Mango Margarita: Your Ultimate Recipe for a Refreshing Summer Cocktail
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of summer with this delightful Strawberry Mango Margarita! This incredibly fruity and refreshing cocktail is an absolute dream for warm weather days, outdoor gatherings, or simply unwinding after a long week. Featuring perfectly pureed strawberries and succulent mangoes blended with ice and premium tequila, it’s a taste sensation that promises to elevate your happy hour experience.
Crafting Cocktails with a Former Bartender
Life has a wonderful way of bringing unexpected joys, and for me, one of those joys is being married to an ex-bartender. It certainly makes happy hour at our house a whole lot happier and more exciting! Now that I’m no longer pregnant, I’m thrilled to once again partake in a lovely cocktail here and there, especially as the warmer months begin to roll in.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of those long, sun-drenched evenings. At our home, when the weather turns beautiful, our absolute favorite pastime is gathering on our back porch. We’ll fire up the grill, prepare a delicious meal, and I can finally sip a refreshing drink like a delightful mason jar of sangria or, more recently, this incredible Strawberry Mango Margarita. All the while, we get to watch our son, Will, run gleefully in circles around our yard, burning off all his boundless energy. There’s truly nothing better than seeing children unrestrained by the four walls of my small house, enjoying the freedom of the outdoors!
From Waitress to Aspiring Mixologist
Throughout my college years, I spent a lot of time as a waitress, but I never ventured behind the bar. My cocktail-making skills were pretty basic, usually consisting of simple cranberry and vodkas, or, if I’m being completely honest, just pouring a pre-made margarita mix from Costco into a glass with a lime wedge and a salted rim (please, no judgment!). But I’m turning over a new leaf, and things are about to get much more interesting in my kitchen!
I’m currently receiving personalized bartending lessons from my wonderfully skilled husband. My goal is to master the art of mixing up some truly delicious and impressive drinks for all the summer guests I plan on hosting. A few times a month, I’ll be sharing a new cocktail, sangria, margarita, or another fantastic drink recipe that my husband helps create and I learn to perfect. So, make sure to stay tuned for more exciting libations!
Why This Strawberry Mango Margarita Will Be Your Summer Favorite
I genuinely hope you’ll discover a few new favorite drinks along this journey that you’ll love sipping on throughout the summer. Today’s recipe, in particular, for a Strawberry Mango Margarita, is designed to make a nice big pitcher, perfect for sharing with friends and family on those wonderfully warm summer days. Margaritas have always held a special place in my heart as one of my go-to drinks, especially the ones bursting with fresh, fruity flavors. This blend of sweet strawberries and tropical mango creates an irresistible harmony that’s both vibrant and incredibly satisfying.
What makes this specific margarita so exceptional? It’s the perfect balance of sweetness from ripe fruit, a delightful tang from fresh lime, and the smooth kick of quality tequila. The mango adds a creamy, exotic undertone, while the strawberries bring a familiar, juicy sweetness. Together, they create a symphony of flavors that tastes like a vacation in a glass. It’s a step above your average margarita, offering a gourmet experience with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Fruity Margarita
Creating this delicious Strawberry Mango Margarita starts with selecting the best ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Tequila: For a refreshing, fruit-forward margarita, a good quality blanco (silver) tequila is often preferred. Its clean, crisp flavor allows the fruit to shine through. While a reposado (aged) tequila can also work, it might introduce more oaky notes that could compete with the delicate fruit flavors. Choose a brand you enjoy sipping on its own, as its quality will directly impact the final taste of your cocktail.
- Strawberry Schnapps: This adds an extra layer of strawberry sweetness and a slight alcoholic kick, enhancing the overall fruit profile without making the drink too strong. It complements the fresh strawberries beautifully.
- Ice: Essential for a frozen margarita! Using plenty of ice ensures a thick, slushy consistency that’s incredibly refreshing.
- Mangoes: The star of the show! Select ripe mangoes that yield slightly to gentle pressure and have a sweet, fragrant aroma. Peeling and removing the pit before slicing will make blending much easier. Fresh mango provides the best flavor and texture, but if fresh isn’t available, frozen mango chunks can be used (though they might require slightly less additional ice).
- Strawberries: Fresh, ripe strawberries are key for their natural sweetness and vibrant color. Make sure to remove the stems before blending. If fresh strawberries are out of season, quality frozen strawberries (thawed slightly) can be a good substitute.
- Margarita Mix & Fresh Lime Juice: While the recipe includes a margarita mix for convenience, the addition of fresh lime juice is a game-changer. Freshly squeezed lime juice brightens all the flavors, cutting through the sweetness of the fruit and giving your margarita that authentic, zesty punch. Always opt for fresh limes over bottled juice for superior taste.
- Salt (for garnish): A classic margarita rim. Coarse salt enhances the flavors of the drink and provides a delightful contrast with each sip. If you prefer a sweeter rim, sugar or a sugar-salt blend can also be used.
Tips for a Flawless Blended Margarita
Achieving the perfect consistency for your frozen margarita is key. Here are some tips to ensure your Strawberry Mango Margarita turns out perfectly every time:
- Blend in Batches (if needed): If you have a small blender, trying to blend all the ingredients at once can lead to a less smooth consistency or even an overworked motor. It’s perfectly fine, and often recommended, to blend this recipe in batches.
- Two-Step Blending for Small Blenders: A good strategy for smaller blenders is to first blend the ice, tequila, schnapps, margarita mix, and lime juice until smooth. Then, transfer half of this liquid mixture to another container. Add half of the fresh fruit to the remaining liquid in the blender and blend until completely smooth. Once done, transfer this blend out. Finally, add the other half of the liquid mixture to the blender with the remaining fruit and blend again until smooth. Combine all blended batches in a large pitcher and stir well to ensure everything is evenly mixed. This method prevents your blender from getting bogged down and ensures a silky-smooth drink.
- Adjust to Taste: After blending, give it a quick taste. If it’s too sweet, add a bit more lime juice or a splash of tequila. If it’s not sweet enough for your preference, a touch of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves and then cooled) can be added, or more fruit.
- Garnish for Impact: Don’t skip the garnish! A salted or sugared rim, a fresh lime wheel, or even a few slices of fresh strawberry or mango will make your margarita look as good as it tastes.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This Strawberry Mango Margarita is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods and can be easily adapted to suit different tastes.
- Food Pairings: Mexican cuisine is a natural fit. Think tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, or even a fresh ceviche. The fruity sweetness of the margarita balances spicy dishes beautifully. It also complements grilled chicken or fish perfectly for a summer BBQ.
- Non-Alcoholic Version: To make a mocktail for all ages, simply omit the tequila and strawberry schnapps. You can replace the tequila with a splash of sparkling water or non-alcoholic ginger ale for a little fizz, and add extra fruit puree or a dash of simple syrup if more sweetness is desired.
- Tropical Twist: For an even more tropical vibe, add a splash of coconut water or a small amount of pineapple juice to the blend.
- Spicy Kick: If you love a bit of heat, muddle a slice or two of jalapeño in the blender before adding the other ingredients. Just remember to remove the seeds if you want less intense spice.
- Frozen or On The Rocks: While this recipe is for a frozen margarita, you can easily adapt it to be served on the rocks. Simply blend the fruit, tequila, schnapps, lime juice, and margarita mix with a small amount of ice to chill, then pour over fresh ice in salt-rimmed glasses.
Hopefully, you will find these new cocktail creations enjoyable throughout the summer. This Strawberry Mango Margarita is an excellent start to your home bartending adventure, providing a truly refreshing and delightful experience for you and your guests. Cheers to many happy hours ahead!
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Strawberry Mango Margarita
Julia Jolliff
10 minutes
10 minutes
1 pitcher
Saved
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Ingredients
- 1 cup tequila
- 1/2 cup strawberry schnapps
- 2 cups ice
- 2 mango, peeled, pit removed and sliced
- 8 oz strawberries, stems removed
- 1 cup margarita mix
- 2 Limes, juiced
- Salt, to garnish
Instructions
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Blend the ice, tequila, schnapps, margarita mix and lime juice until smooth. Add the fruit and blend again until smooth. Pour into a large pitcher.
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Garnish the rims of the glasses with salt or sugar and a slice of lime.
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Enjoy!
Notes
- If you have a small blender then you will need to blend this in batches.
- I suggest blending the ice and liquid and then putting half aside and add half of the fruit and blend.
- Then transfer the other part of the liquid and blend with the remaining fruit. Combine everything together in a large pitcher once done and stir.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 172g,
Protein: 6g,
Fat: 3g,
Saturated Fat: 0.4g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g,
Sodium: 200mg,
Potassium: 1179mg,
Fiber: 15g,
Sugar: 148g,
Vitamin A: 4574IU,
Vitamin C: 323mg,
Calcium: 140mg,
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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