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Home » Sparkling Mango Cocktail

Sparkling Mango Cocktail

Modified:  December 17, 2024 Published: Sep 1, 2017   //  by Michele Peterson 6 Comments

We may earn income from links in this post. Please read this Disclosure for details.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Transport yourself to sun-soaked Mexico with this sparkling mango cocktail inspired by the iconic Hotel California in Todos Santos.

With sweet mango, smooth tequila, and zesty white lemonade, it’s the ultimate summer escape in a glass!

Sparkling mango cocktail on a white table.
Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Sparkling Mango Drink
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • How to Make Chili Lime Salt at Home
  • Variations and Expert Tips
  • Recipe
  • Love Mangoes? Check Out These Other Popular Mango Recipes

Why You’ll Love This Sparkling Mango Drink

I was inspired to make this mango cocktail following a weekend at Hotel California in Mexico.  

While a classic lime margarita might be the perfect beach cocktail when you’re at a tropical beach resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast,  a golden-hued mango cocktail is the perfect drink of choice in the desert of Baja California.

Mango cocktail at Hotel California in Todos Santos, Baja California.
Mango cocktail at Hotel California in Baja California, Mexico.
  • Simple to prepare-no cocktail shaker required.
  • It’s got pure and simple natural ingredients without complicated infusions or syrups.
  • You likely have everything you need on hand to make this mango cocktail! No need to scour the store for exotic ingredients!
  • It’s deliciously frozen, slightly sweet and tart, but with a touch of heat thanks to the chile salt.
  • The pretty golden hue makes it perfect for Cinco de Mayo, a summer pool party or other fun celebration.
  • In summer, I enjoy serving it along with other tropical boating drinks  such as a Spanish Gin & Tonic, Apple Cider Mojitos and Sparkling Watermelon Mint Cocktail.
  • Pairs well with summer appetizers and snacks.
Beautiful and historic Hotel California Todos Santos, Mexico
Beautiful and historic Hotel California in Todos Santos, Mexico.

Step by Step Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for exact quantities and method.  

If you’d like to channel the spirit of the Baja at home, you’ve got to try this copycat version of the original.

With just 3 ingredients, it’s the ultimate summer cocktail for easy entertaining!

Mangoes, lemonade and tequila for making a copycat Hotel California cocktail.
No complicated ingredients here! You’ll need fresh mangoes, lemonade and tequila for making this cocktail.

1. The key is to begin with fresh mangoes. You can use any kind of mango but for the most brilliant orange colour similar to the Hotel California cocktail, opt for the Haden, Francis and Tommy Atkin variety.

Mango cut in half on a wooden board.


2. Cut the mango cheeks from the pit and then cut the flesh into small chunks, from the peel.

Chopped mango on a wooden board.

3. Once you’ve got the mango peeled and chopped, simply place it in a blender with the lemonade, tequila and ice.

4. Blend at low and then high speed for 60 seconds until the ice is pulverized into tiny pieces. The mixture should be smooth and frosty.

Collage of mangos getting blended.

5. Next, run a cut piece of lime around the rim of the cocktail glass. Then, dip the rim of a cocktail glass in chili lime salt.

You can use either store-bought cocktail salt or scroll down to see our recipe for homemade chili lime salt below.

6. Pour the blended mango cocktail mixture into the glass.

Sparkling mango drink with a fresh mango in background.

7. Garnish with a wedge of lime and serve!

How to Make Chili Lime Salt at Home

To make a sparkling mango cocktail like they do at Hotel California, you’ve got to salt the rim of your glass with chili lime salt! No need to buy a margarita cocktail kit for this. 

It’s super easy to make at home!

Not only is this homemade cocktail salt delicious but it contains no artificial ingredients or additives.

Ingredients for chili lime salt.

You’ll need:

Mexican sea salt

lime zest

chili powder

1. Combine the Mexican sea salt, chili powder and lime zest in a bowl. Spread it out on a small plate.

collage of chili and lime salt being used to rim a cocktail glass.

2. Moisten the rim of the cocktail glass by running a cut wedge of lime around the top.

3. Invert the glass and dip it into the chili salt mixture, twisting it lightly until it’s coated.

4. Pour the mango mixture into the glass and garnish with a wedge of lime.

Chili salt on rim of a cocktail glass.
Copycat Hotel California Mango cocktial with fresh mangoes in background.
Portrait of a Los Cabos spicy cocktail garnished with fresh lime.
Enjoy this Los Cabos spicy cocktail garnished with fresh lime.

Variations and Expert Tips

  • While at its most delicious when made with white tequila, you can also use mezcal, vodka or the brilliant yellow Damiana liqueur that’s popular throughout Baja California.
  • If it’s your first time making a mango recipe, you might want to wear gloves. Some people are allergic to mangoes. It’s the skin of the mango that contains the majority of the chemical compound urushiol. Found in poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac and cashew nutshells, this oily resin can often cause contact dermatitis.
  • Or, skip the alcohol and enjoy it like a summertime smoothie.
  • Got leftover mangoes, use them up in these recipes for Easy Mango and Black Bean Salsa, Mango Smoothie Pie  and Mango and Strawberry Lemonade. 

Recipe

Sparkling mango cocktail with tequila and a background of fresh mangoes.
Print
5 from 15 votes

Sparkling Mango Cocktail

Transport yourself to sun-soaked Mexico with this sparkling mango cocktail inspired by the iconic Hotel California in Todos Santos. With sweet fresh mango, smooth tequila, and zesty white lemonade, it's the ultimate summer celebration in a glass!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 4 drinks
Calories: 330kcal
Author: Michele Peterson
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • blender

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chopped peeled, fresh mango
  • 1 cup frozen white lemonade
  • 4 ounces tequila, vodka or mezcal
  • 3/4 cup ice cubes
  • chili lime salt to rim the glass
  • lime wedge for garnish

Chile Lime Salt

  • 1/2 cup sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
US Customary – Metric
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients ( except those for the chili lime salt and the lime wedge) in a high-powered blender
  • Blend at low and then high speed for 60 seconds until ice is pulverized into tiny pieces.
  • Moisten the rim of the cocktail glass by running a wedge of fresh lime around the top.
  • Spread the chili lime salt out on a small plate. 
  • Invert the glass and dip it into the chile salt mixture, twisting it lightly until it's fully coated.
  • Pour the mango mixture into the glass and garnish with a wedge of lime

Chili Lime Salt

  • Grate the peel of a fresh lime using a zester.
  • Combine Mexican sea salt, chili powder and lime zest in a bowl.
  • Use to rim the top of a glass for margaritas, mezcalitos or this sparkling mango cocktail.

Notes

  • You can use any kind of mango but for the most brilliant orange colour similar to the Hotel California cocktail, opt for the Haden, Francis and Tommy Atkin variety. 
  • White or silver tequila is the best tequila to use in mixed drinks.    
  • If it’s your first time making a mango recipe, you might want to wear gloves. Some people are allergic to mangoes.
Note: Nutritional information is created by online calculators so the figures are only estimates.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 459mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 2678IU | Vitamin C: 98mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @ATasteForTravel or tag #ATasteForTravel!

Try This Recipe at Source

Los Cabos Mexico is home to lots of fantastic dining experiences. Just check out this recipe for Cream of Sardine With Smoked Salmon  from Gastro Bar by Martin Berasategui, the acclaimed Basque chef who helms dining at Paradisus Los Cabos.

There are so many ecotours in Cabo San Lucas I can’t wait to return. For a stress-free vacation, get travel tips and learn more about Los Cabos airport transportation. 

Love Mangoes? Check Out These Other Popular Mango Recipes

  • Collage of international mango recipes with text overlay.
    32 Best Mango Recipes From Around the World
  • Clear bowl of mango black bean salsa on a white table.
    Best Mango and Black Bean Salsa
  • Strawberry Mango Lemonade Feature Image
    Fresh Strawberry Mango Lemonade
  • No-Bake Mango Pie is easy to make and features fresh ripe mangoes
    No-Bake Mango Mousse Pie

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This sparkling mango cocktail celebrates the spirit of Los Cabos Mexico with its refreshing mix of ripe fruit and lemonade with a splash of tequila, vodka or mezcal #cocktail #mango
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About Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

Read more about Michele Peterson.

Previous Post: «A glass bowl of siboya tempera an authentic Aruba recipe. Easy Siboyo Tempera Recipe from Aruba
Next Post: How to Take a Bus from Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca) to Guatemala Beautiful view of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Addie

    June 04, 2021 at 10:49 pm

    5 stars
    This was so refreshing and delicious!!

    Reply
  2. Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/

    June 04, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    I bought a ripe mango today, thinking to make something healthy, quinoa and stuff. I might change my mind and make something boozy instead:))

    Reply
  3. Jeri

    June 02, 2021 at 11:25 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy to make and so delicious! This will be our go-to drink for summer!

    Reply
  4. Audrey

    June 02, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    5 stars
    This is the next best thing if you can’t make it to Mexico!

    Reply
  5. Carole Terwilliger Meyers

    September 01, 2017 at 9:58 pm

    This mango cocktail looks easy, schmeasy to make. I might give it a whirl!

    Reply
  6. Doreen Pendgracs

    September 01, 2017 at 11:21 am

    I would love to return to Los Cabos. I was only there for a day once and loved it! Superb snorkelling experience will always stay engrained in my mind. A sparking mango cocktail would be nice, too! 🙂

    Reply
5 from 15 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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