Mangonada with Mezcal

Mangonada is a vibrant, sweet-and-spicy frozen cooler that brilliantly elevates the classic Mexican street favorite by blending the gentle, earthy smoke of Del Maguey mezcal with a rich, creamy base of ripe mango and fresh lime juice. Blended with ice to a perfectly smooth slush and poured into a tall glass richly streaked with sweet-tangy chamoy, this playful, highly refreshing sipper is elegantly finished with a zesty Tajín rim and a fresh mango spear.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large ripe mangoes (or 2 cups frozen mango chunks)

  • 60 ml of mezcal, ideally Del Maguey Vida Clásico for a balanced, gently smoky profile

  • 2–3 tbsp chamoy, plus more for the glass

  • 1–2 tsp Tajín or chili-lime seasoning, plus more for the rim

  • Juice of 1 lime (add more to taste)

  • 1–2 tsp agave syrup or sugar (optional, depending on mango sweetness)

  • 2 cups ice

  • Optional garnish: mango spear, lime wheel, worm salt

Instructions:

  • Prep the fresh mango for your mangonada: Peel and pit the mangoes, then blend the flesh until completely smooth. If using frozen mango, let it sit 5 minutes before blending so you get a creamy texture without over-diluting with liquid.

  • Add mezcal to amplify the flavor: Pour in the mezcal and pulse a few seconds to combine. A balanced mezcal layers gentle smoke over the mango’s natural sweetness, turning a fruit slush into a proper mangonada cocktail.

  • Integrate the acidic and spicy kick: Add the lime juice and 1 tablespoon of chamoy to the blender base. Taste and adjust: a bit more lime for brightness, or more chamoy for that sweet-tangy heat the best mangonada recipe is known for.

  • Add ice and blend to the perfect texture: Add the ice and blend until thick and spoonable, like a mango frappé. For a thicker pour, use a little extra mango. For a looser sip, add a splash of cold water or mango nectar.

  • Serve and garnish with Mexican flair: Swipe chamoy inside a chilled tall glass and dust the walls lightly with Tajín. Pour in the mango-mezcal blend; for a signature swirl, layer thin ribbons of chamoy as you pour. Finish with more Tajín on top, a mango spear, and an optional rim of worm salt.

Attribution:
Recipe: Carlos Andrés Ramírez
Origin: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
Photo: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal