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Fruity, tangy and fiery, this tropical Marg brings the heat.
About the cocktail
We don’t like to play favourites here, but when it comes to Margs, we’re self-confessed spicy Marg fanatics. The spicier, the better –though it’s up to you how hard you hit it. In this recipe, hot sauce (we opt for Tabasco) and Tajín (a Mexican seasoning blend of chilli, lime and salt that you can find in most supermarkets) deliver the kick you’re looking for. Of course, the mango plays a starring role, too, alongside OJ and the traditional lime. You’ll need the blender for this bad boy, but that just makes it easier to whip up a bunch at once. Blazing its way into the bar scenes – and hearts – of Texas, LA and Mexico in the late 1930s, the Margarita has since spanned countless cocktail hours across the globe, becoming a bonafide flavour chameleon. From a classic Tommy’s to Frozen Strawberry or Watermelon to the hot hot hot Jalapeño and Spicy Pineapple, there’s a Marg to suit every taste. But back to the cocktail of the hour, the Spicy Mango Margarita. It's a combination of tequila, orange liqueur, sugar, lime juice, OJ and mango, with a touch of heat from a dash of hot sauce (okay, maybe a few dashes). Offering a contemporary twist on a timeless classic, this harmonious blend of tart, tangy and spicy is refreshing and zesty, showcasing that herbaceous agave edge and juicy mango sweetness. Blitz this guy up, add a Tajin seasoning rim to your glass, and settle into your sundowners safe in the knowledge that you’ve mastered the summery, tropical Marg, no matter what the szn. Cocktail umbrella optional.
Watch: How to make a Spicy Mango Margarita
Ingredients
1 ripe mango, cubed 1 cup orange juice 60mL lime juice 120mL blanco tequila 30mL orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau) 1–2 dashes of hot sauce per drink (season to desired heat, we used Tabasco) 30mL agave syrup ½ cup ice Glass: old fashioned Garnish: lime and Tajin seasoning for the glass rim, and whole chilli (optional)
Method
Prep your glass by running a lime wedge around the rim and then dipping it in the Tajin seasoning. Pop it in the fridge to chill until you’re ready to serve Add all ingredients to a blender with ½ cup of ice Blitz until smooth (you can add more ice if you prefer a thicker consistency) Pour into your prepared glass If you're using chilli for an extra garnish, pop it on the side of the drink
Dan’s top tips
The beating heart of any good Marg is the tequila, so plan accordingly. Hosting Taco Tuesday? Or maybe your significant other finally scored that amazing promotion? You’ll wanna break out the good stuff for your fiesta. Blanco is a fan favourite for a reason, delivering fresh agave characteristics, with a smidge of vanilla, making it the ideal base for our Spicy Mango Marg. Like a rum-based blended Mango Daiquiri, the beauty here is you can chuck a bunch of stuff in a blender and whizz your way to a delicious drink. However, we do recommend taking a little of that extra time you saved blitzing to juice your own limes for that extra zing only freshly squeezed juice can bring. For that extra frosty touch, or when mangoes are out of season, go right ahead and use frozen mangoes – they can also bring a nice consistency. And if you prefer your Marg on the rocks, you can use mango juice or nectar to balance out the spice and lime and shake it all together instead. Not a huge fan of chilli? Omit the hot sauce and chilli powder rim, and swap it out for a toasted coconut and lime-juice rim for that extra tropical touch. You choose your adventure, amigo.
image credits: Shelley Horan (photography), Raye Scerri (videography), Bridget Wald (styling), LSS (production)
