Boston Food Blog | Recipe Journal and Boston Restaurant Reviews

Citrus

Delicious Summer Drink or Cocktail – Mango Lemonade Recipe

Back when Aimee and I lived in the Bay Area (Alameda more specifically), we had a huge lemon tree in the back yard that used to produce huge Eureka lemons all the time.  I always felt a little bad because I couldn’t ever use them all – but when I could, I always used to make this lemonade, especially on the hot days in the summer.  The infusion of Mango is just one idea, but I also used to puree strawberries and add those.  You can really add just about any other fruit you like to this drink and it would still turn out delicious.

Keep it simple when you’re making lemonade.  Start with just a little bit of sugar, then you can always add more as you wish depending on your sweetness level tolerance.  Another idea here is to try making ‘ade’ with another citrus fruit.  Everyone’s likely heard of and tried Limeade, but my new thing is to make grapefruit-ade.  It’s really pretty good and a different combo that you might like.

Here’s my take on the simple, super refreshing drink:

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 2-3 mangoes – pulp pureed in a food processor (see more about preparing mangoes below)
• Ice
• 4 cups water to dilute

Putting lemonade together is totally easy.  Start by prepping the mangoes: I find the best way to prep mangoes is to cut them in half like you would an avocado.  Make sure you don’t cut into the large seed in the middle of the mango, rather cut on either side – almost like a filet.  I then take my paring knife and cut cubes out of the mango’s flesh, then invert the mango and turn the half inside out and remove the cubes that protrude.  This video does a good job documenting this:

Take the mango cubes and puree them in your food processor or juicer until you have a good puree on your hands.  Try to get it as smooth as possible, add some water as needs be – chunks in your lemonade aren’t really as ideal as you can imagine.

In a large pitcher of bowl, I mix the ice, sugar and lemon juice with a large wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved.  Add the mango puree and mix in, then add the water to dilute.  Make sure you don’t add too much to start, so add a little, then adjust from there.  Serve with more lemon slices or mango.  This drink also goes really well as a cocktail with some vodka or gin.