This virgin Mango Mojito Mocktail recipe is refreshing and perfect for summer! It's made with fresh mangoes, lime, mint, and club soda.
There is nothing better on a hot summer day than a cold drink to sip. This Virgin Mango Mojito is made with mangoes that are pureed with fresh mint, lime, and simple syrup. It's sweet, tangy, and festive.
A mocktail is a drink that is modeled after a classic cocktail, but made without alcohol. Mocktails are great, because they're every bit as delicious as a cocktail, but won't leave you with a hangover.
This is perfect if you're hosting a get-together and want to provide an option to guests who don't imbibe, or simply if you want something fun and festive, but don't feel like drinking alcohol.
A traditional mojito is a Cuban cocktail made with white rum, sugar, lime juice, and club soda. This version is made without rum and uses a puree made with fresh mangoes.
It's over-the-top refreshing and basically tastes like summertime in a glass. This Mango Mojito is just the thing to beat the summer heat!
Jump to:
- What Does A Mango Taste Like?
- Ingredients For Mango Mojito Mocktails
- How To Cut A Mango
- Can I Use Frozen Mango?
- How To Make Simple Syrup
- Which Mint Is Best For Mojitos?
- How To Make Mango Puree
- How To Make A Mango Mojito Mocktail
- Can I Add Rum?
- How Long Does The Mango Puree Last In The Fridge?
- Can It Be Frozen?
- Mango Mojito Mocktail
What Does A Mango Taste Like?
Mango is one of the best fruits out there in terms of taste. It's both sweet and tart, with notes of citrus. The flavor of mango is somewhere between a peach, melon, pineapple, and papaya.
The flavor of a mango will differ, depending on ripe it is when eaten. A mango that is not as ripe will be much more tart than a ripe one and the flesh will be tougher. A ripe mango is sweeter and the flesh is soft.
It's best to use mangoes that are optimally ripe when making this Mango Mojito Mocktail. A ripe mango is easier to cut and will taste better overall.
Check out this article for some great tips to help you to determine if a mango is ripe. Some of the key factors to determine ripeness in mangoes are color, softness, smell, the texture of the skin.
Ingredients For Mango Mojito Mocktails
Here's what you'll need to make them.
- 1 lb. Fresh Mango (equals 4 large mangoes)
- ¼ cup Lime Juice plus more for garnish (equals 5-6 limes)
- ½ cup Sugar
- ½ cup Water
- ¼ cup Fresh Mint plus more for garnish
- 1-2 bottles Club Soda
How To Cut A Mango
The thought of cutting a mango was always intimidating, until I learned how to do it while working at a food coop years ago.
There are many different ways to cut a mango. Feel free to try a couple of them out and find which one works best for you. Check out this article for some great info on the many ways to cut mangoes.
It's important to have a sharp knife and a cutting board or some kind of flat surface. Mangoes tend to roll around a lot and the juice from the fruit is sticky, so it's best to be careful and to watch your fingers, so that you do not cut yourself.
- Start by cutting one side of the mango off the fruit with a knife. There is a pit in the center of the mango; get as close to the pit as you can and cut down the length of it.
- Take the knife and cut squares into the flesh, being careful not to cut the skin.
- Fan the mango out with your fingers, so that the squares protrude from the skin.
- Run the knife carefully along the inner surface of the mango, removing the mango 'squares' from the skin. Alternately, you can scoop the mango 'squares' from the skin using a large spoon.
- Repeat with the other half of the mango.
- Cut the sides of the mango and run the knife alongside the skin, removing the flesh.
- Cut any remaining flesh from around the pit.
- Repeat with the remaining mangoes and place the chopped mango into a bowl.
The only part of the mango not used is the skin, the pit, and the stem. Feel free to discard these portions or throw them into a compost bin.
Can I Use Frozen Mango?
This Mango Mojito Mocktail calls for 1 lb. of fresh mango, which equals 4 large mangoes.
The taste of fresh mangoes is unbeatable, but the process of cutting them can be cumbersome.
Feel free to use frozen mangoes if you prefer. It's best to thaw the frozen mangoes before adding them to the puree for optimal texture.
- If using frozen, place 1 lb. of frozen mango chunks into a strainer, set the strainer in the sink, and allow to drain.
- Once the mango is thawed, use just as you would fresh.
How To Make Simple Syrup
One of the best ingredients to have on hand when making cocktails or mocktails is simple syrup.
Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts water and sugar. The sugar is added to lightly boiling water and stirred until it has dissolved. It's a great way to add sweetness to a drink, without the grittiness of adding pure sugar.
The process of making simple syrup is so easy and well worth the time it takes. If you've ever ordered a drink from a high end cocktail bar, chances are simple syrup was used to make it.
- To make the simple syrup, add ½ cup water to a small sauce pan. Bring the water to a light boil and then reduce the heat to medium low.
- Add ½ cup granulated sugar and stir the sugar with a spoon or small whisk until it dissolves completely.
- Remove the sauce pan from the heat and set aside to cool completely.
A Few Tips:
- It's important that the simple syrup cool completely before adding it to the mojito or it will melt the ice and defeat the purpose of enjoying a cold beverage.
- You can make the simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a week or two in an airtight container. Any leftover simple syrup may be stored this way as well.
- If the water is too hot it may cause the syrup to turn a slight brown or orange color which means that it has caramelized. If caramelized too much it means that the sugar burnt. Slight caramelization is fine, especially if it tastes good. If you find that it is burnt simply start the process over.
Which Mint Is Best For Mojitos?
Mint is a cornerstone of any mojito. It gives the drink its characteristic bright flavor. Mint is great, because it helps to counteract the sweetness of the fruit and the sugar, giving the drink a balanced flavor.
To make this Mango Mojito Mocktail, you can use mojito mint or spearmint (usually labeled as 'mint') if purchased at the grocery store.
Mojito mint is best, because it's the variety used in a classic Cuban mojito. The flavor is milder than spearmint and has notes of citrus. This recipe is a great way to use up any mojito mint you've got growing in your herb garden.
Spearmint is another great choice. It's a bit milder and sweeter than peppermint and is the variety used to make mojitos in most bars and restaurants.
How To Make Mango Puree
The main component of these mocktails is the mango puree. It consists of the chopped mango, simple syrup, lime juice, and fresh mint.
All that is needed to make the mango puree is to toss all of the ingredients in a blender and pulse until combined.
- Add 1 lb. of mango chunks, ¼ cup fresh lime juice (equals 3-4 limes), ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, and ½ cup cooled simple syrup to a blender.
- Pulse until the mixture is completely combined.
How To Make A Mango Mojito Mocktail
Mojitos are traditionally served in highball glasses and I find it the perfect serving vessel for this mango version.
- To make this mocktail, fill a highball glass with ice. Pour ⅓ cup or so of the mango puree over the ice (the glass should be ⅔ full).
- Top the mango puree with club soda. Fill until the glass is totally full. Stir until completely combined.
- Garnish with fresh mint sprig and a wedge of lime.
- Serve immediately.
You can add as much or as little of the mango puree to the drink as you like. Feel free to add more if you like your drink a bit sweeter.
If you find that the mocktail is too sweet, feel free to add a bit more lime juice.
Can I Add Rum?
Absolutely! Add 1.5 oz. of white rum and decrease the amount of club soda a bit if you'd like to make this into a cocktail.
It's best to use a white rum like Bacardi and not a spiced rum like Captain Morgan, as that would alter the flavor of the drink.
If you like mojito cocktails, be sure to check out this Pomegranate Mojito!
How Long Does The Mango Puree Last In The Fridge?
Depending on how many mocktails you make, you may end up with extra mango puree.
Leftover mango puree may be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Can It Be Frozen?
You can also freeze the puree by pouring it into ice cube trays. Place the frozen mango cubes into an airtight freezer bag, label with the date, and store up to 3 months.
Feel free to pull out a few cubes as needed and top with club soda.
Love mocktails? Check out these recipes!
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- Raspberry Mule
Looking For More Summer Mocktails? Don't Miss These!
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Mango Mojito Mocktail
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
Instructions
For The Simple Syrup:
- Add ½ cup water to a small sauce pan. Bring the water to a light boil and then reduce the heat to medium low.
- Add ½ cup granulated sugar and stir the sugar with a spoon or small whisk until it dissolves completely.
- Remove the sauce pan from the heat and set aside to cool completely.
How To Cut Mangoes:
- Start by cutting one side of a mango off the fruit with a knife. There is a pit in the center of the mango; get as close to the pit as you can and cut down the length of it.
- Take the knife and cut squares into the flesh, being careful not to cut the skin. Fan the mango out with your fingers, so that the squares protrude from the skin.
- Run the knife carefully along the inner surface of the mango, removing the mango 'squares' from the skin. Alternately, you can scoop the mango 'squares' from the skin using a large spoon. Repeat with the other half of the mango.
- Cut the sides of the mango and run the knife alongside the skin, removing the flesh. Cut any remaining flesh from around the pit.
- Repeat with the remaining mangoes and place the mango chunks into a bowl.
- Alternately, you can use frozen mango chunks. Place 1 lb. frozen mango chunks into a strainer in the sink and allow to thaw completely. Once thawed, use just as you would fresh mango.
For The Mango Puree:
- Add 1 lb. of mango chunks, ¼ cup fresh lime juice (equals 3-4 limes), ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, and ½ cup cooled simple syrup to a blender.
- Pulse until the mixture is completely combined.
Assemble The Mocktails:
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour ⅓ cup or so of the mango puree over the ice (the glass should be ⅔ full).
- Top the mango puree with club soda. Fill until the glass is totally full. Stir until completely combined. Garnish with fresh mint sprig and a wedge of lime. Serve immediately.
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