Frozen Mezcal Mango Margarita

Your go-to summer cocktail has just arrived, and when I tell you it’s good, I mean it. It’s SO GOOD! My Frozen Mezcal Mango Margarita is the creamy, frozen, delicious cocktail of your dreams. Don’t like mezcal? Make this recipe with tequila and enjoy it all the same. This cocktail is sure to bring out the fun this year, so run, don’t walk, to your kitchen and make it for those long summer days!

Friends, there are few fruits that are more quintessential to summertime than mangos. A ripe, juicy mango on a summer afternoon is quite possibly the best cure for all of your problems. I’m kidding, of course, but if there’s one fruit that can help us *temporarily* forget all of our problems, it’s a mango. Specifically, a mango mixed with alcohol.

I’m not going to come here and say that I created the perfect summertime cocktail, but if I were… this would be the recipe I’d make that claim about. My Frozen Mezcal Mango Margarita is perhaps the only way that I will be drinking margaritas this summer (aside from my Avocado Margaritas or my Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas, of course), because it truly is THAT good. Think: sweet and creamy mangos, whipped together in a frozen concoction, then hit with a splash of smoky mezcal and a little triple sec for a unique flavor that you will absolutely love. If you’re someone who loves a traditional frozen margarita, then you’re going to love this twist. Who knows, it may just become your go-to summer cocktail recipe too!

But Nicole, Why are We Using Mezcal Rather Than Tequila?!

Let’s get one thing straight: this is not your mama’s margarita recipe, for several different reasons. First, we’ve got the creamy, frozen mango flavor that takes this margarita to the next level. But second, we’re swapping out the beloved tequila for a unique and delicious liquor that truly adds an unexpected twist: mezcal.

If you’ve never had mezcal, then you’re in for a treat! Think of mezcal like the dark and mysterious sister of tequila. 😉 While it comes from the agave plant, just like tequila does, it’s processed differently, which leads to its unique flavor.

Tequila, with its smooth, sweet flavor, is made by steaming the agave inside of industrial ovens, before its distilled two-to-three times.

Mezcal, on the other hand, is cooked inside of an earthen pit that is lined with lava rocks, wood, and charcoal, before being distilled into clay pots. This gives mezcal its smoky, more savory flavor.

I personally love the taste of mezcal in this recipe, as it blends so wonderfully with the mango flavor. However, if you aren’t a fan of mezcal, or if you only have tequila on-hand, that’s okay! You can swap out the mezcal 1:1 for the tequila and still enjoy a delicious drink.

What You Need to Make This Summertime Margarita Recipe

All you need are a few simple and easy ingredients to make this summertime margarita recipe come to life!

• Frozen Mango: Of course, the star of this cocktail (aside from the mezcal, of course) is the mango. I recommend buying pre-frozen mango chunks, to save you both time and money, but you can also pre-slice and freeze your mango ahead of time. Either way works, just make sure it’s frozen so that it’ll add that creamy, frozen flavor!
• Mezcal: As mentioned earlier, this is a mezcal margarita, meaning we’ll be using smoky and savory mezcal! My favorite is by Mezcal Alerón, but you can use any mezcal that you prefer. And if you prefer tequila, you can absolutely swap it out instead!
• Cointreau or Triple Sec: A little cointreau or triple sec is necessary for any good margarita recipe!
• Lime Juice: Some fresh lime juice adds the perfect balance to this cocktail – don’t skip it!
• Tajin: If you know, you KNOW. I have been obsessed with tajin lately, for its subtly-spicy kick that tastes delicious when paired with fruit! A dash of tajin really makes this cocktail come to life, so I highly recommend it.
• Jalapeño Slices (optional): If you like your margaritas spicy, I recommend adding in a few jalapeño slices! They will add the perfect spicy kick that tastes absolutely delicious in this recipe.

How to Make This Margarita Alcohol-Free

And for my #sobercurious or alcohol-free friends, don’t worry: I’ve got you! This recipe can easily be made without the alcohol, for a cocktail that is both refreshing and delicious.

Simply omit the alcohol all-together (the mezcal and the cointreau or triple sec) and replace it with 1/4 cup of orange juice and a splash of club soda. It’s so simple and easy, and also perfect if you want to make a fun, kid-friendly drink, too!

How to Make The Best Summertime Margarita

Making this margarita recipe couldn’t be any easier! Simply start by rubbing a lime wedge alongside the edge of a glass. Then, place your tajin into a small bowl, and dip the rim of the glass into the tajin, ensuring that it’s coated in a ring of tajin.

Next, add all of your margarita ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Then, pour your margarita into a glass, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Note that this recipe yields ONE drink, so if you’re making for two people, be sure to double the recipe! Enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! And, since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations so that I can repost them! xx

** Photography by Bea Moreno