This Hot Honey Spicy Mango Margarita recipe is the perfect summer cocktail with a little extra kick. It's made with a homemade fresh mango purée and hot honey, giving you the perfect amount of heat with just the right balance of sweet and spicy. Shake it up with tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, then pour over ice in a chili lime-rimmed glass for a refreshing drink that's just as good for a hot summer day as it is for sipping during the big game.
The hint of heat from the spicy hot honey balances the sweetness of the fresh mango without overpowering, making this a drink you'll want to come back to again and again. It's the perfect match for your favorite game day snacks or a fun post-game treat to enjoy once the kids are in bed.
A traditional margarita is made with tequila, an orange liqueur and lime juice, served on the rocks or frozen with a salted rim. This version uses those same classics with a few delicious twists. Fresh mango purée, hot honey and a tangy chili lime rim for the most flavorful upgrade.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- You'll impress your friends. Not only does this drink taste delicious, but it looks so pretty, too! Make a round for your game day crew and they'll think you've become a professional bartender.
- It's so easy to make. This recipe is simple and quick. Just measure the ingredients into a shaker, shake and pour over ice. Easy enough to whip up during halftime or as a relaxing post-game treat.
- The spicy to sweet ratio. The mango and hot honey combination is so good. With just a bit of heat from the honey and chili powder on the seasoned rim combined with a generous amount of sweetness from the mango, it's perfect for sipping on!
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need, along with a few notes about key ingredients:
- Mango: You will need chopped mango to make the mango puree and for garnishing the finished drink. Fresh or frozen and thawed ripe mango will work great. If you wanted you could swap some of the mango purée for pineapple juice to give it a different flavor.
- Sugar: Use the sugar to sweeten the mango puree. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar if you prefer.
- Tequila: For this particular cocktail, we use a reposado tequila and we think it is perfect. You could also choose to use your favorite tequila variety. Try mezcal instead for a smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the mango and the fiery twist of hot honey
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice is going to give you the best flavor. If you must, bottled would work. The recipe calls for 1 ounce of lime juice, which is typically the juice from one lime. Keep in mind this can vary depending on how juicy your limes are, so always taste, adjust and be prepared with plenty of limes!
- Orange liqueur: We have chosen to make this with Cointreau which is an orange flavored triple sec liqueur. You could substitute an alternative orange liqueur, if needed.
- Hot honey: The hot honey is what gives this drink the perfect bit of heat. Use your favorite hot honey, or regular honey if you want to skip the spiciness.
- Limes: Use lime wedges to rim the glass with the chili lime salt and to garnish the finished cocktail. If you wanted you could swap the lime and use chamoy instead.
- Chili lime seasoning: Use this to rim the glass and add a tangy, just a bit spicy flavor to the finished drink. We prefer this chili lime seasoning, but you could also rim the glass with plain salt, if you prefer.
Scroll to the recipe card below for all ingredient amounts and details.
Recipe Variations
- Frozen Version: Blend the mango, hot honey, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice with ice instead of shaking.
- Spicy Jalapeño Twist: Muddle fresh jalapeño slices in the shaker before adding the other ingredients for an extra layer of heat.
- Mocktail Version: Skip the tequila and orange liqueur and use sparkling water or ginger beer.
This perfect summer drink has not been tested with these variations. If you give any of these a try, please let me know how it worked out in the comments below!
Equipment Needed
- Blender: Use a good blender to whip the mango, sugar, and water into a smooth purée. A high-speed blender will give you the silkiest texture, but any standard blender will get the job done.
- Cocktail shaker: Essential for mixing everything together. Shaking the margarita with ice helps chill it quickly and gives it that restaurant-style finish.
- Jigger or small liquid measuring cup: Helps you measure the tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau accurately. A jigger feels more "bartender," but a small liquid measuring cup works just as well.
Step by Step Instructions
STEP 1: Place mango, water and sugar in the blender. Puree until the mixture is smooth.
Transfer mixture to a bowl or jar and set aside.
STEP 2: In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, mango puree, and hot honey.
Fill the shake with ice.
STEP 3: Place the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
STEP 4: On a small plate, add about a tablespoon of the chili lime seasoning.
Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass that you plan to serve the drink in.
STEP 5: Turn the glass upside down on the plate with the chili lime seasoning and slide the glass around until the rim is fully coated with the seasoning.
Carefully fill the glass with ice.
STEP 6: Remove the very top of the shaker lid and strain the margarita into the prepared glass.
STEP 6: Garnish with mango chunks and lime wedges dipped in the chili lime seasoning, if desired.
Expert Tips
- Store extra mango purée in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. This makes it easy to whip up a quick round of margaritas on game day or after practice without pulling out the blender again.
- For the perfect ice, buy a bag from somewhere like Sonic. It's great in cocktails… or any drink really! Having it on hand makes serving a round for friends feel extra fun.
- Always strain the margarita from the shaker into the prepared glass over fresh ice. This keeps the drink chilled and smooth, without the melted ice from shaking watering it down.
Game Plan 📋
This spicy margarita is easier to work into game day or a busy evening than you might think. Here's what I'd do to set myself up for success:
- Prep ahead: The mango purée makes more than you'll need for one drink, and it keeps in the fridge for up to a week. That way you can quickly shake up a margarita (or a few) whenever you're ready. Just remember, each drink still needs to be shaken for the best flavor and consistency.
- Serve a crowd: If you're hosting, have extra purée, limes and chili lime seasoning ready so you can mix drinks on demand. It only takes a minute to shake each one and your guests will love the fresh flavor.
- Offer options: Be prepared for different preferences. Some guests may like a little more heat (add jalapeño slices to the shaker) or prefer a mocktail version (swap the tequila and Cointreau for sparkling water or ginger beer).
- Wind down: Keep a little purée set aside for yourself. After the game or a long day at the field, it's easy to shake up a quick post-game treat once the kids are in bed. Or save it for taco night. It's the kind of cocktail that makes even a simple weeknight dinner feel like a celebration.
FAQ
Yes, you can use mango juice in place of the homemade purée, but the flavor will be a little different. The purée gives the margarita a thicker, fresher texture that juice can't quite match. If you're in a pinch though, juice works just fine.
Hot honey is simply honey infused with chili peppers, so it's sweet with a little bit of heat. If you don't have any, you can use regular honey, but you'll miss out on that spicy kick. Another option is to stir a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes into your honey to get a similar effect.
If you don't have chili lime seasoning, you can mix together chili powder and salt for a similar flavor. Even plain salt works in a pinch and still gives you that classic margarita rim. For extra zing, add a little grated lime zest to whatever seasoning you use.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover mango purée in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Freeze the purée in a sealed container or ice cube tray for up to 3 months, then thaw before using.
More Recipes To Try
Looking for other recipes to make? Try these:
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Recipe
Hot Honey Spicy Mango Margarita
Ingredients
For the Mango Puree:
- 10 ounces mango chunks
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
For the Margarita:
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce Cointreau
- 1 ½ tablespoons mango puree
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- Lime wedges, chili lime seasoning, and mango chunks for garnish
Instructions
For the Mango Puree:
- In a blender, combine the mango, water and sugar. Puree until smooth.10 ounces mango chunks, ⅓ cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar
For the Margarita:
- Sprikle a generous amount of the chili lime seasoning on a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Turn the glass upside down and slide the glass around in the chili lime seasoning until the rim is coated.
- Carefully fill the prepared glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, mango puree, and hot honey. Place the cover on top and shake vigourously for 10-20 seconds. Carefully strain the margarita into the prepared glass.1 ½ ounces tequila, 1 ounce lime juice, ¾ ounce Cointreau, 1 ½ tablespoons mango puree, 1 tablespoon hot honey
- Garnish with lime wedge and mango slices coated in chili lime seasoning, if desired.
Video
Nutrition Information
Please note that these nutrition facts are approximations and may not be entirely precise.
Justin Cave says
Flavor is great but I doubled the recipe and it barely made one drink. Feel like it’s missing something. I had to add plain margarita mix to make it go a little further.
Ashlyn Meredith says
Thanks for the feedback. I will review and adjust if needed. 🙂
Kris says
Delish! I want more!
Shelia Swaim says
I thought it was fantastic!