Mango Shrub Margarita

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This mango shrub margarita is sharp and sweet and will shake up your classic margarita just in time for Cinco de Mayo. 

I love that the art of the cocktail has made such a resurgence in recent years and I’ve taken note with this mango shrub margarita. See ya sickly sweet mixers and uninspired bartenders. And hello to freshly squeezed juices, inventive techniques, and skilled mixologists.

Whenever we go out to dinner, especially in NYC, I love to take a look at the cocktail menu and choose something exciting to kick off our meal. I gravitate toward more tart than sweet, spicy if they’ve got it, and a bright, refreshing cocktail to wake up my palate. The options are wonderfully endless and always inspiring.

I’ve been on a bit of a shrub kick lately because they add just enough sweetness balanced with a shot of acidity from a glug of vinegar. While shrubs are delicious paired simply with a splash of club soda, they’re also my new secret weapon behind the bar. 

And today a mango shrub is turning a classic margarita on it’s toes just in time for Cinco de Mayo.

What is a shrub?

• Shurbs were initially concocted many years ago as a way to preserve fruit before it spoiled. It’s part fruit, part sugar, and part vinegar.
• The fruit and sugar are mixed, then the fruit is left to macerate (ideally overnight). The next day the solids are strained and discarded and the remaining juice is then blended with vinegar.
• The shrub can be used right away, but it’s even better after a day or two and the flavor really develops.
• Shrubs have a sweet and tangy bite that adds complexity and tremendous flavor to cocktails or makes a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage when stirred into club soda.

This is no cloyingly sweet frozen mango margarita that you would drink like a slurpy strolling along the boardwalk at the shore. No sir. This margarita is all grown up and sophisticated. This cocktail is packed with flavor from fresh mango and limes and be sure to use your best tequila blanco to allow those flavors to really shine.

I’ll be mixing up a big batch of these mango shrub margaritas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and of course serving them alongside some tasty Mexican inspired dishes like grilled guacamole, skillet nachos or my outrageously tasty pork carnitas.

Tips for success

• Plan ahead and make the mango shrub and riming salt a few days ahead. Once those are prepped, these margaritas come tougher in minutes.
• This spicy salt is delicious with bloody mary’s or jalapeño margaritas too.
• Make sure you rim the glasses before adding the salt and pouring in the cocktail.
• Use the best quality tequila for the tastiest cocktail.

I can’t wait to get started shaking, blending, and stirring some up margs this weekend, how bout you? And if you need a little more Cinco de Mayo inspiration, check out the recipes below. Cheers!

Cinco de Mayo Inspiration

• Pork Carnitas with Mango Salsa
• Margarita Chicken Tacos
• Jalapeño Paloma
• Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Carne Asada Tacos

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Mango Shrub Margarita

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

This mango shrub margarita is sharp and sweet and will shake up your classic margarita just in time for Cinco de Mayo. 

Course: Cocktail

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: mango shrub, margarita

Servings: 2 cocktails

Calories: 689 kcal

Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For…

Ingredients

Spicy Rimming Salt

• ½ cup kosher salt
• 1 Tbsp celery salt
• 1 tsp chipotle chile powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp chili powder

Mango Shrub

• 1 cup fresh mango, diced
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup white wine vinegar

Mango Shrub Margarita

• 4 oz tequila blanco
• 3 oz mango shrub (recipe follows)
• 2 oz orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
• 1 1/2 oz lime juice
• *mango and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

Spicy Rimming Salt

1. Combine all the ingredients and set aside.

Mango Shrub

1. Combine the diced mango and the sugar in a small bowl. Mash and stir well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

2. Add the vinegar and stir well. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing on the solids. Discard the solids.
3. Pour the shrub into a sealable container and store in the refrigerator.

Make the Mango Shrub Margaritas

1. Combine the tequila, shrub, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker over ice and shake well.

2. Rub a lime wedge along the rim of each glass and then dip them into the spicy salt mixture to coat.
3. Fill the tumblers with ice cubes and strain the margaritas into each glass.
4. Dip the edge of two mango wedges into the salt mixture. Garnish each glass with a wedge of mango and lime.

Recipe Notes

• Plan ahead and make the mango shrub and riming salt a few days ahead. Once those are prepped, these margaritas come tougher in minutes.
• This spicy salt is delicious with bloody mary’s or jalapeño margaritas too.
• Make sure you rim the glasses before adding the salt and pouring in the cocktail.
• Use the best quality tequila for the tastiest cocktail.

Nutrition Facts

Mango Shrub Margarita

Amount Per Serving

Calories 689 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Sodium 4729mg206%

Potassium 296mg8%

Carbohydrates 126g42%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 120g133%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 2585IU52%

Vitamin C 36.4mg44%

Calcium 18mg2%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2017 but was republished with tips and step by step photos in May 2019.