A vodka mango and mint cocktail that is refreshing and crisp. It’s made with homemade mint simple syrup, mango juice, lime, and vodka.
Until further notice, cocktails on Elle Talk are going to be a hodgepodge of what my husband can find at the grocery store. A more “Chopped” style of shaking, if you will. I’m currently 6 months pregnant and self quarantining because while I’m not high risk…in other areas of the world pregnant women are. So the next few weeks of recipes should be…interest. However, I know you all are in the boat with me so let’s embrace it and have a few good laughs!
I’m going to try and make substitutions suggestions through the “How To” part of my post. (It’s the next section after the bold print.) I know what I can find, may not be what you can find but I’m sure you can twist things up to make something similar.
To start we’re busting out the vodka for a cooler. Listen, coolers are easy recipes that can be manipulated to all extremes. That’s why I thought it would be a great place to kick this off with. Not to mention they go down pretty easy, which might be ideal for the days you’ve got to teach your kids Math. (WHO UNDERSTANDS COMMON CORE ANYWAYS?!) It’s also ideal because we’ll be getting close to 90 degrees this week in Houston. So save this recipe for summer y’all!
There isn’t much to it besides it’s sweet, refreshing, and crisp. I honestly can’t decide if I like mango and mint together more than I like mango and chili. Anyone else just love both of those flavor combos? (You could 100% add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to spice this up, FYI) Either way this Mango Mint Vodka Cooler is going to keep you cool and breezy for your home happy hour.
MANGO MINT COOLER
Vodka Coolers are typically spirit, citrus, simple syrup, and bubbles.
If you can keep that in mind you can make any type of vodka cooler with the ingredients you find at your grocery store. I like to flavor them with different fresh juices, flavored simple syrups, or muddled fruits.
THE COCKTAIL SUBSTITUTE
For this recipe we’ll be using mango juice. It was one of few juices still left but you can sub in with juices of orange, guava, pineapple, lemonade, grapefruit, or coconut water.
I sweeten it up more with a touch of mint simple syrup. You can buy pre-made if you find it. Our store has had fresh mint leaves around, of all thing. So I’ll share how to make it at home incase you can find it or have it in your garden. If you can’t find mint or mint simple syrup, using regular simple syrup with do just fine too. You can always flavor it with citrus rinds, berries, or dried fruits too!
I also know sugar is hard to come by for some people. You can make simple syrup with honey, agave, and maple syrup as well! Just follow my instructions below!
MINT SIMPLE SYRUP
To start this recipe, you’ll need to make the mint simple syrup. If you don’t have mint, just use this recipe without the mint. If you plan to substitute the mint with something else, the recipe remains the same.
Bring 1 cup of white granulated sugar and 1 cup of water to a simmer in a medium-size sauce pan over medium-high heat. If you are using honey, agave, or maple syrup in replacement of sugar, use only 2/3 of a cup. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved into the water. Remove from the heat.
Off the heat, add in the mint leaves and let the mixture cool for 10-15 minutes. Strain the syrup into a heat proof glass that has an airtight top. Store in fridge for 1 month.
VODKA COOLER
In a highball or doubled old fashioned glass (10-12 ounces) filled with ice add in:
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces mango juice
0.5 ounces of lime juice
0.5 ounce of mint simple syrup
Stir with a bar spoon to combine.
Top off with club soda (or unflavored sparkling water) and give one final stir. Garnish with extra mint! Then serve with any extra ingredients you have!
You can use the structure of this recipe to create a bunch of different flavored Vodka Coolers. I think one with grapefruit juice and a jalapeño simple syrup would be, AMAZING.
MORE WAYS TO USE UP THAT MINT SIMPLE SYRUP!
A vodka mango and mint cocktail that is refreshing and crisp. It's made with homemade mint simple syrup, mango juice, lime, and vodka.
- 8-10 Mint Leaves
- 1 cup Water
- 1 cup White Granulated Sugar (or sub with 2/3 cup of honey, agave, or real maple syrup)
- 2 ounces Vodka
- 2 ounce Mango Juice
- 0.5 ounce Lime Juice
- 0.5 ounce Mint Simple Syrup
- Club Soda
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Bring sugar and water to a simmer in a medium-size sauce pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the sugar is dissolved. Off the heat, add in the mint leaves and let the mixture cool for 10-15 minutes. Strain the syrup into a heat proof glass that has an airtight top. Store in fridge for 1 month.
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In a highball or double old fashioned glass (10-12 ounces) filled with ice add in vodka, mango juice, lime juice, and mint simple syrup. Stir with a bar spoon to combine.
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Top off with club soda and give one final stir. Garnish with extra mint!
Seriously, refreshing! Brad’s not really a vodka guy and he approved of this cocktail. I made myself a mocktail version that sans the vodka & upped the club soda. It was perfect for sitting on our patio in the sun this weekend!
How are you doing with the pandemic? If you need help creating cocktails with the random assortment of ingredients you can find, DM on Instagram and I can help you find a cocktail to put them in!
Wishing all of my readers a safe & healthy week ahead!
SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST FOR LATER!
