Mango Drinks: Benefits, Recipes, and More!
Mangos are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They are juicy, sweet-smelling, and even sweeter-tasting fruits.
Mangos can be found in many parts of the world with warm to tropical climates. These delicious fruits grow on an evergreen tree, and believe it or not, mangos are actually a part of the cashew family.
Most mangos are grown in India, but mangos also grow well in other warmer climates, like the islands of Hawaii! This is why they have a reputation for adding a tropical or island flavor to different dishes and drinks.
Ready for a little history? Mangos were first grown over 5,000 years ago. That’s a pretty old fruit, and yet somehow, it’s still just as delicious.
Because of the mango's long-term relationship with human beings, we’ve learned a lot of benefits from the delicious, pretty little fruit.
In fact, all parts of the mango can be utilized for the enjoyment and benefit of people! For example, the leaves, skin, bark, flesh, and pit of mangos have all been used in different folk remedies for thousands of years. So, let’s get into some of our favorite things about the magnificent mango!
Health Benefits of Mangos
There are many different reasons to love mangos, and their fantastic flavor speaks for itself.
Mango adds a tasty tropical twist to a smoothie in the morning, but it is also a delicious flavor boost if you pair it with something as simple as white rice in a stir fry. It can sweeten your salsa or give your omelet cause for a standing ovation on its own! Even so, the mango still has more to offer.
Mangos have over 20 different vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and A and folic acid.
Mangos are also an excellent source of fiber, which is an essential part of a balanced diet. It promotes overall immune health and functions as a key component in keeping many different essential bodily functions. Mangos are a great fruit to add to your diet to keep everything running smoothly. Have your food work for you, so you don’t have to!
We love mangos for both their flavor and their health benefits.
Another piece of what makes the mango such a magical fruit is its versatility. Mango pairs well with so many different flavors and can be used in tons of different food and drink combinations.
Mango is one of those fruits that pairs well with other fruits. Mangos are great with any variety of fruits, from kumquats to kiwis.
If you are looking for a mango x pineapple crossover, try out this Picante Mango Chili Tepache. Tepache is a fermented beverage made out of pineapple rinds. This fruity combination is one sure to have you admiring the sweetness that a mango adds to any drink.
Speaking of which, let's see some mango drinks that you can enjoy ASAP.
Mango Drinks Recipes You Will Love
If you prefer to sip on your mango rather than eat it, we have some fantastic options for you.
Mango Lemonade
This drink is super tasty and simple, making it a total winner in our eyes. Mango lemonade combines the sweet, succulent nature of the mango with the zesty and sometimes sour kick of lemon.
This is a perfect drink to enjoy on a hot day when you want to add a fun twist to traditional lemonade.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups mango, chopped
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¾ cup of water
All you have to do is combine these ingredients in a blender, mix it up, and pour it into your favorite glass for a fruity treat. Garnish this drink with a mint leaf if you’re looking to get extra fancy with it, too.
You can also make this drink into a cocktail. Replace the water with any sweet wine like Moscato and add a shot of rum! The resulting drink will definitely show off mango’s strength of flavor and its versatility.
Mango Tepache
The great thing about this take on a mango drink is that you don’t have to do any of the preparation yourself! It comes ready-made! Here at De La Calle, we make a delicious mango tepache that perfectly combines the flavors of mango, pineapple, and chili for an authentic and refreshing drink.
Tepache is relatively simple to make, so if you are ever feeling up to the challenge, making a mango tepache is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. All you will need are the following for a bare-bones mango tepache.
- Pineapple rinds
- 1 cup brown sugar
- Cinnamon or clove for taste
- Mango chunks or mango puree.
- 1 pitcher of water
Add your pineapple rinds to a large glass pitcher. Stir in the brown sugar and the cloves, cinnamon, or whatever other spice you’d like to try out. Then loosely cover the top of the pitcher and leave the tepache to sit for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, there will likely be white foam on the top of the mixture. Scrape that off, and then strain the mixture. Next, take your mango puree and add it to the mixture. Blend it well, and garnish with a stick of cinnamon. Make it into a tropical moment by topping your glass with a slice of pineapple or mango.
It is sure to be a tasty treat for any occasion. If this seems like a little too much effort for a mango beverage, there is always the shortcut of buying the perfect mango tepache ready-made, too.
Mango Smoothie With Cinnamon
This last mango treat is straightforward and so worth it. All you need to do is grab a banana and a mango. Chop the fruit and add to a blender, along with a liquid of your choice (and maybe a bit of yogurt). We love adding a sprinkle of cinnamon, too, to up the spice level.
Mango adds sweetness and smoothness to your smoothie that will blow your mind. The cinnamon sprinkle pulls out the flavor in the fruits and also allows you to mix cozy fall vibes with mango’s island personality. This easy treat is one you’re sure to have over and over again.
The Magic of Mango
Mango is one of those classic fruit flavors that just can’t be beat. When coupled with all of the amazing vitamins and minerals they contain, magic feels like an appropriate way to describe it..
Next time you head out to the grocery store, put mangos on that shopping list. The benefits of the fruit are so excellent, and the mango's many uses are sure to be a fantastic addition to your drink rotation. Oh man, mangos are the best.
Sources:
Mango Lemonade | African Bites
Folic acid: Vitamin that helps the body make healthy red blood cells | NHS
