What is a mangonada? A mangonada is essentially a Mexican slushie. The history of this delicious sweet drink is unclear, but food experts say that it came directly from Mexico’s busy streets and later became a food craze on Instagram. We started seeing mangonadas pop up in Mexican grocery stores as popsicles in 2010.
Mangonadas can vary in ingredients. The most popular are swirls of red that are topped with juicy mango chunks. You will also see this sweet drink referred to as a Chamango or Mangoneada. We love the flavors in this drink: lime, chili powder, chamoy, and fruit.
Nothing cools you down faster than a manganota on a hot day when the weather is scorching.
Mangonadas have a sweet taste with a little touch of spice from the chamoy and a little tartness from the lime juice. The combination blows away the taste buds for an exotic drink you’ll have over and over again.
Mangonada, a delicious frozen treat with a unique blend of flavors, has quickly become a must-try phenomenon that has taken the culinary world by storm. Originating in Mexico, this vibrant and refreshing dessert combines sweet mangoes, tart lime juice, and spicy, savory chamoy sauce, creating an unforgettable flavor explosion your taste buds will thank you for.
As you prepare to indulge in your first mangonada, look forward to layers of savory and sweet delight, enhanced by the tantalizing chili powder that coats the rim of your cup. Swirled within the frozen concoction, you will find pieces of tangy tamarind candy, adding another layer of flavors and texture to this Mexican classic. Whether enjoyed at a street-side vendor or a trendy dessert shop, mangonada is a flavorful escape from the ordinary, making every spoonful an adventure.
You won’t be able to find the mangoneada in every restaurant in the US so making your own at home can really bring the comfort to you.
When you’re making a mangonada recipe you’ll love just how easy they are to make. Once you get the hang of it you’ll be making them every weekend without fail.
Try out this mango chamoy recipe and see why it will quickly become your go-to choice when it’s time to beat the heat.
Ingredients
Before you just jump into making your mango sorbet-like smoothie, you’ll have to learn a bit about the ingredients themselves so you can have an easier time making it.
Mangos – You’ll want your magonada recipe to be made with frozen mangos so that they do better in the blender. This means you can buy some already frozen mangos that are prepackaged or you can have diced fresh mango and freeze the pieces ahead of time. Just make sure you have some fresh mangos to go as a garnish for your drink.
Mango nectar – You can usually find this in the exotic aisle section of your local grocery store but just in case you can’t, you can also just use Mexican mango juice instead. Heck, if you really wanted to get crazy with your mango nada then you can try a more exotic juice like pineapple or passion fruit.
Lime juice – You’ll want at least one lime on hand but having a second nearby is always a good choice. Some people love to balance out all the sweetness with some tart lime while others prefer to keep it sweet. Having the option for everyone will make the chamoy mango even better.
Chili lime seasoning – Also called tajin on mango, a good chili lime seasoning is going to take your mangonada to the next level. You could pour some inside like an ingredient but you could also salt the rim of your cup with it to give every single sip a little something extra.
Chamoy – This ingredient may not be as readily available in stores but it’s worth it to search it out. It brings a unique flavor to the drink and can be found in either a liquid or paste form. If you’re having trouble finding it then feel free to use a similar sauce like apricot, peach, or pineapple.
Tamarind candy straws – This is another fun ingredient you may not find at every store but it’s worth looking for. The straws add a fun crunch and sweetness to the drink that takes it over the top. If you are having guests over this is almost a must-have.
How to make your own mangonada
Get your blender out and start throwing in your toppings. The frozen mango, the nectar, the lime juice, and the ice will all go together. Turn your blender on and wait till there’s a smoothie-like consistency and all chunks have been blended fully.
Prepare The Cups:
One of the best parts of having a mangonada is being able to prepare the cups just the way you like and make it a full blown presentation.
Get out two small places and pour a little chili lime powder in one plat and a little chamoy in the other. You want just enough so that the cup lid can be submerged in the powder and chamoy.
Drip the cup lid into the chamoy and then dip it into the chili lime powder so that both stay on the rim of your cup. If you do it right, it should look like a a margarita cup with salt on the edge of the lid.
You don’t want to dip your cup and get a ton of chamoy on there unless you really love the flavor. What you can do is smear the chamoy across a bigger section of the cup lid so you have more chili lime powder to go with every sip.
Serve the Mangonada:
You’re not done with the chamoy quite yet. Pour some fun lines all around the cup and a little at the very bottom before pouring your mango mixture. This will allow you to get even more flavor with your sweet mango drink.
Pour your mangonada mixture into the cup with the chamoy on the sides and then top it all off with some small mango chunks and even more chili lime powder. If you really love chamoy, you could keep on pouring a little on top of the mangonada.
Then, it’s time for your delicious tamarind candy straws because no true mangonada is complete without it. If you don’t have one, just go ahead and use a thick straw because it will be just as useful.
Is a Mangonada healthy to drink?
A mangonada is great for your health because it’s mainly made up of mango, which is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Not to mention, the lime juice helps to increase your absorption of these nutrients.
The only real downside to a mangonada is the amount of sugar it has but since they come naturally from the mangos you don’t have to feel like you’re eating a manufactured sweet.
What exactly does Mangonada taste like?
Mangonadas are like a mix between a smoothie and a slushy. They’re refreshing and sweet with the perfect amount of tart lime while others prefer to keep it sweet. Having the option for everyone will make the chamoy mango even better.
They were originally made in Mexico and have been gaining popularity all over the United States because of their deliciousness. They have a little kick of spice from ingredients like chamoy and the chili lime powder that really separate it from other drinks.
What is chamoy made of?
Chamoy is made from apricots and it gives a sour, salty, sweet, and spicy flavor to any dish. It’s used in a lot of Mexican cuisine and is perfect for adding as a topping to mangonadas or even just dipping your chips into.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can try making your own chamoy sauce at home. All you need is apricots, water, sugar, vinegar, and chili peppers to get started. Making your own will allow you to control the different ingredients and overall taste.
What is the red stuff put on mangos?
The red stuff is a mixture of chamoy, chili powder, and lime. It’s used as a topping or dip for many Mexican dishes and provides a delicious kick of spice.
You’ll see it very commonly on the rim of cocktail drinks because it adds a little bit of extra flavor to a well crafted cocktail.
More Mexican Snacks You May Like
Chicharrones De Harina – This snack isn’t as well known as some of the other Mexican dishes but chicharrones de harina is definitely worth trying. They’re made from deep frying flour tortillas and provide a crispy and savory snack. You can have this any time of the day and it doesn’t take much time at all.
Guacamole – All you need are some ripe avocados, onion, garlic, tomato, and lime juice to make some of the best guacamole you’ve ever had. It’s great for a party or just as a snack because it’s easy to make and everyone loves it. Just make sure you have some high-quality chips ready to use for dipping.
Salsa – As common as any other sauce in Mexico and everyone makes it differently. You can use tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, onion, cilantro, and lime to make a salsa that will tantalize your taste buds. It’s perfect for any time of the day and can easily be spiced up or down to fit your mood. Just like guacamole, you’ll want some good chips to go with it.
Sandia Loca – This Mexican treat is made with watermelon, chamoy, and Tajin. It’s a great refresher on a hot day and provides you with some of the best flavors that Mexico has to offer. If you enjoy sweet and sour flavors, then this will be the perfect snack for you.
Tamarindo Candy – Have one taste of this tamarindo candy and you’ll be hooked. It’s made with tamarind paste, sugar, and chili powder giving it a unique and delicious flavor. It’s something you definitely want to try if you’re looking for something new and exciting.
Our BEST Authentic Mangonada Recipe
When the weather starts warming up and you need something cool and refreshing, a mangonada is the answer. This cool treat will have the consistency of a smoothie but it will taste like an exotic dessert. The perfect combo to mix things up this summer!
16ozfrozen mangosfreeze fresh mango pieces for best results
16ozmango nectar
2tablespoonslime juice
chili lime powder
chamoy
1cupice
1fresh mango
Tamarindo candy straws
Instructions
Blend
Throw the frozen mango, lime juice, and mango nectar into your blender
Prepare cup
Grab two small plates, add some chamoy to one plate and some chili lime powder to the other. Take your cup and dip the lid of it into the chamoy first, then into the chili lime powder. If you only want a little, dip a small amount. If you want more, smear some chamoy on a bigger portion of the lid and then sprinkle chili lime powder on top.
Swirl some of the chamoy on the inside of the cup in fun patterns and on the bottom of the cup.
To Serve
Pour your blended mangonada mixture into the cup till it reaches about 1/2 inch below the top. Pour some mango chunks on top and then sprinkle the top with some more chili lime seasoning. You can even pour some more chamoy on the top of the drink.
Garnish with your tamarind candy stick or a thick straw if you do not have one. You could also serve it with a spoon and a straw.
Mexico has been known for it’s unique blend of ingredients to create meals and desserts the world has never seen. The mangonada is one of them and has been around for at least two decades.
What makes the mangonada unique from most other slushies or smoothie drinks is that it primarily features a sweet base with a spicy kick. The chamoy and chili lime powder cancel out all the sweetness in the drink to create a more well-balanced flavor profile.
How do you eat a mangonada?
Ideally you are given a tamarind candy straw which uses even more spices to coat the straw, giving you more flavor with each sip. The straws are a little thicker so the smoothie-like consistency can still flow through without needing to suck too hard.
Sometimes, you will see a spoon that is also given with the mangonada if it is very thick. This will allow people to pour on some extra chamoy and chili lime powder with each bite they get in the spoon, creating a unique dessert.
If there are no tamarind straws, you’ll see people serve it with a thick straw made from plastic or some other material.
What’s the difference between tajin and chamoy?
Tajin is a specific brand of product that uses lime, salt and chili powder whereas chamoy is a type of food in Mexico. In this recipe you have been reading about the chili lime seasoning, or powder, and tajin is a brand name of this type of seasoning. You could have mango with tajin or chili lime powder but they are essentially the same thing.
Chamoy, on the other hand, is a sauce made from pickled fruit, chili peppers, and seasonings such as soy sauce, onion, and lime. It is often used as a condiment for various snacks such as churros, ice cream, and more.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
