The king of all cocktails – MANGO DAIQUIRI!!! There is no better way to celebrate the best of Aussie summer than with big, juicy, ripe mangoes. Make these straight up, with or without a blender, or make slushy frozen Mango Daiquiris!
Plus, tales of this city girls’ adventures on a MANGO FARM!!!
On a scale of 1 to 10, this rates a 12 15: plucking a golden ripe mango off a tree then 10 minutes later, sipping on Mango Daiquiris….
HOW COOL IS THAT??😎
So as you probably guessed, no this didn’t happen in my own backyard. It was at the Groves Tropical Fruit Farm in country Queensland (Yeppoon, 1 hour from Rockhampton) which I visited to immerse myself in the excitement of Mango Harvesting!! Regular readers may remember my trip from last year, when I rocked up at the Groves farm to say g’day before heading off to the motel to dump my luggage, and instead was swept into the house and shown my room, welcomed by the family like I was a long lost friend. (Just to clarify, I’d never met them before, never even spoken to them, other than a 2 minute “Help me, I’m lost!” call enroute to the farm).
And this year, it really was visiting long lost friends! The minute I drove up to the farm, I was greeted by every member of the Groves like I was family. Ian – the Mango King, (thinks) he’s the Boss Man, Sandi – beautiful to the core, the real Boss of the farm 😉, David – destined to take over the Mango Throne and the biggest attraction at the local farmers’ markets (never seen so much eyelash batting by the over 60’s), and Mel – Australia’s best mango grader, juggler and dancer, a vibrant young lady with wisdom and experience beyond her years.
Meet the Groves. This is an Australian farming family that everyone will fall in love with. They represent the best of Australian horticulture – hard working, smart (this growing stuff is serious big business!), hilarious, warm, genuinely beautiful people from the inside out.
PS There is every possibility that Ian (top left) is actually smiling in that photo, you just can’t see it because of his bushy beard!!!
If there was ever a way to truly appreciate every piece of fresh produce you handle, visit a farm. I can’t tell you how much it has changed my perspective of things. When you walk the soil of hard labour, hear how much goes into growing the orchard (the risks! Can’t get over all the things that can go wrong!), all the little and big details behind picking, storing, grading, cleaning, packing, distribution to the markets then eventually making it into the very stores that I shop at…the mind boggles.
And the sheer scale! Me, I work on a MacBook with a camera. That’s my tiny world. Everything at the farm is on such a large scale – especially so when you’re a shortie like me. Tens of thousands of trees, thousands of acres, tonnes of mangoes, giant crates, towering stacks of trays filled with ripe juicy mangoes….
Do you notice how the mangoes are a bit green and not the glowing yellow / blushing red you’re used to seeing at the shops? That’s because the mangoes are picked at an exact time in its maturity cycle so that when it arrives in the stores, anywhere between 3-5 days after they are picked off the trees, they are perfectly ripe and ready for us to eat.
Too ripe, and they’ll be overripe when they arrive. Not ripe enough and they’ll never ripen properly. The optimum time for mango harvesting is small, and I’m overwhelmed at the number of things that can go wrong. Mechanical problems with the tractors / packing factory / storage facility, RAIN (interesting fact – can’t pick mangoes while or after raining, they get too tender to handle), ensuring the transport and distribution goes to plan. Not to mention the actual growing of the mangoes themselves.
The ripe mangoes which can’t be distributed to stores are taken to the local farmers’ markets in Yeppoon, held every Saturday. I took my giant camera and tottered along to check out the action, chattered to locals and stall holders who were curious to know what I was doing, snapping photo after photo of David.
I might have told them I was taking photos of David because he’s a famous mango grower…..”Oh , didn’t you know? Yeah, he’s really famous! I’m up here from Sydney to do a piece on him!” I said, holding back a cheeky grin. I wonder how much grief they’ll give him at next weeks’ markets? 😉
PS I might be totally be biased, but I do declare that the Groves’ stall was the busiest and I absolutely swear to you, I’ve never seen so much eye lash batting by the 60+ female age group. I am sure it was all about the mangoes. Positive!
I’m not a professional film maker by any stretch of the imagination. Just a home cook who taught herself how to take food photos and make recipe videos. But I did make a video about my visit! I’ve watched this countless time, and every time I get a goofy smile on my face as it transports me back to the Groves’ farm.
And with all the hard labour that goes into growing the mangoes….ahh, when they’re ripe and ready to go, they are a sight to see! Plump and juicy, mangoes are surely the king of all fruits. There is no other fruit that screams of summer like mangoes!
I was torn, absolutely torn about what recipe to share to celebrate Aussie mangoes. In fact, I spent an inordinate amount of time creating a smooth and creamy Mango Ice Cream made without an ice cream maker but ditched it at the last minute because when I was chatting to locals at the market and listed everything I had / was making with mangoes, Mango Daiquiris got the most enthusiastic response!
And so I present to you my Mango Daiquiri. 🙂 1 juicy plump mango will make 4 servings. Mangoes have a very strong flavour, probably the strongest out of all fruit, so a little bit goes a long way. You can’t taste the alcohol in it at all, which makes it dangerous / delicious.
Make it straight up as I have, with or without a blender, or make frozen Mango Daiquiris! I’ve provided directions for all of these.
Cheers! – Nagi xx
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Mango Daiquiris
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe mango (1 1/4 cups of flesh)
- 90 ml / 3 oz white rum (I use Bacardi)
- 2 tbsp sugar syrup (adjust to taste) (Note 1)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 heaped cup of ice cubes (or 1 cup crushed ice), plus more to serve
Sugar Syrup (Note 1)
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup boiling water
Garnish (optional)
- Strawberries
- Lime slices
- Mint
Instructions
- Chill glasses in the fridge.
Make With Blender
- Place Daiquiri ingredients in the blender in the order listed (ice last, blends better).
- Whizz until ice is blitzed. Taste test then adjust sour with lime and sweetness with sugar.
- Pour into glasses - this recipe makes the perfect amount to fill 4 martini glasses.
- Garnish with strawberries, lime and mint if desired. Serve cold.
Without Blender
- Puree mango using a stick blender or food processor.
- Pour into 1 litre / 1 quart or larger jar or bottle. Add bacardi, sugar syrup and 1/2 cup water (Note 3). Refrigerate until chilled. Also refrigerate the limes and glasses.
- Once chilled, add lime juice and ice cubes into the bottle. Shake well, then serve, straining the ice cubes. You can also put some crushed ice into the glasses, but remember that as the ice melts, it will dilute the cocktail.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Mango Daiquiri recipe video! PS Watch how I scoop out the mango flesh, neat trick that I was taught by the Groves! ❤️
ALL THE OTHER THINGS…
All the other things I made with Mangoes when I was at the Groves’ Tropical Fruit Farm and I commandeered their kitchen! Clockwise from top left: Mango Coconut Muffins (I used this Apple Cake recipe, swapped apples for mangoes and added 1 cup coconut), the team scoffing down Pulled Pork Sliders with a Mango BBQ Sauce, Mango Ice Cream (made without an ice cream churner!), Mango Avocado Salsa with Tacos (it was a hit!) and the sliders mentioned above. I feel like I made more things but I can’t remember. Oh wait! Mango Daiquiris! 😉
LIFE OF DOZER
Now THIS is a souvenir – being sent home with every spare inch (and more!) jam packed with freshly picked tropical fruit!
As for Dozer – well, he equates the sight of a suitcase with me going away and curls up forlornly around it as I pack. But he still hasn’t figured out the difference between departing and RETURNING home. He lay there until I unpacked everything, then returned to his usual form of bounding around in the backyard, chasing rabbits/birds/hang gliders etc.
Special treat for Dozer – he is NUTS for mangoes!
This post is brought to you in partnership with Mangoes Australia who know how much I love summer, mangoes and the Groves family! Follow them on Instagram – you might even see some of my recipes on there!
❤️❤️Many thanks to the wonderful Groves family for their hospitality, kindness, all the FUN and sharing their knowledge with this City Gal on her whirlwind visit to the Groves Tropical Fruit Farm in Yeppoon, Queensland.❤️❤️
Follow the Groves on Instagram for an insight into life on a tropical fruit farm – and you might even see some pics of me!!! 😉
Hi Nagi, this was absolutely fab! Tasty, fresh – your cocktails bring out the mixologist within me! Really interesting to hear about the mango farm too, a great story. Thanks!
Oh yum. I got a little confused on tip #3. Can you please clarify it for me? What is it that I need?
Hi I love ur food, looks so tempting. I tried ur dessert and everyone loved it. I want to ask can I make this drink without alcohol, any substitute alcohol. I want recipe for non-alcoholic summer drinks. Please can u help.
Thanks. Live for dozer
Of course Ammamama! You can sub the rum with 100% apple juice and reduce the sugar syrup here 🙂 N x
Thanks
Last evening, I made a Mango Daiquiri cocktail. This drink was made in my mixer. It was extremely tasty.
My freezer is now lined with cut up in season mangos. Thanks Nagi!
Also, lemon gin is dangerously good along with rum
Oh my goodness thank you! Your Mango Daiquiris went down a treat! I made these in a food processor using a combo of fresh and frozen mango as a welcome drink for our dinner guest last night. I made a big batch before guests arrived & poured them from 2 x 1.5L jugs. Everyone loved them. Just the right quantity of Bacardi to complement and not overpower the mango. G xo
That’s great G! Everyone will be coming to your place from now on!
I have an orchard on the cap coast and we have a few mango trees. its funny to see someone else enjoying the mango daiquiri thing. We use malibu instead of bicardi gives that nice coconut hint to it!
Mango daiquiris are VERY popular here in Australia!!! N xx
All I want to do is give Dozer a giant hug!!!! We enjoyed your daiquiris and smoked salmon appetisers on the weekend, thank you for the recipes! You are my go-to now, I barely use cookbooks!
I will give him a giant hug FOR YOU!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed both this cocktail and the smoked salmon bites, aren’t they delicious?? I’m addicted to them!
We do a drink we call a” Mango Mimosa” half fill a clean, empty coffee bottle with mango flesh, add enough rum or Vodka, to suit your preference, to cover the fruit. Leave refrigerated for at least 24 hours. to serve, take two tablespoons of flesh with juice to a champagne glass, top it off with champagne and garnish with finger limes around the rim. Guarantee you will be going through a lot of champagne.
Oh WOOOOAAAAH! That sounds amazing Tony! Just so happens I have a stash of mangoes that are calling me to make Mango Mimosas! Thanks for the great tip!
Excited to hear you used Honey Gold as the featured mango….its story is fascinating. I try to grow one from seed each year, takes a real farmer to do that I think!
I love Honey Gold!!! I hate to play favorites….but I think it’s my pick! Though when Keitt’s are around, they are the ONLY ones so they are the best too! And I LOVE R2E2’s for cooking because the flesh is so firm – SO GOOD grilled on the BBQ!
Hi Nagi! Made the spinach ricotta rolls and the daiquiris yesterday, what a way to spend a Saturday arftermoom!!! You’re right about the sugar syrup – definately depends on the mango. I used just over 3 tablespoons. Thank you for the recipe!!
Hi Evan – WOW! That IS pretty much a perfect Saturday arvo! So glad you enjoyed the daiquiris AND the rolls, thanks so much for letting me know! N xx
I love mangoes! Love love LOVE them! Havin the entire extended family – in laws, cousins, 2nd cousins , about 45 people – over for Australia Day. We take it in turns! It’s my first time since I married my husband and I’ve been planning the Australia day menu. Just added these to the list! I saw another reader mentioned making bottles of this and that’s what I’m going to do. Bottles and BOTTLES! I have to find some giant bottles and jugs!
Ba ha ha!!! I hear you Rena! I use passata bottles – I ALWAYS keep the bottles so I have tons and tons and I use them for drinks and homemade stocks. 🙂 I had a few of them filled with Daiquiris last weekend, including in the freezer! Worked a treat! N xx
What a lovely story! I grew up next to the Groves’ farm – they certainly are one of the most kind-hearted, hard working and fun families you will ever meet. Can’t wait to try your daiquiri recipe!
You did?? Oh WOW! Thanks so much for reading the story Shannon! They are amazing, I feel honoured to have met them and be welcome into their beautiful home. 🙂 N xx
Great post Nagi! Mango is by far my favourite fruit…I’d be in heaven on that farm!!
The mango ice cream sounds delish – you should definitely post it at some point…PRETTY PLEASE!
I WAS in heaven!!!! It was amazing x 1 million! N xx
Great post. I would love to eat a ripe mango picked off a tree, sounds delicious. I love the daiquiri. They sound so refreshing.
OMG it is an AMAZING experience! 🙂 N xx
Making these RIGHT NOW!!!! Will let you know how they are received!! Ps I want to go to this mango farm!!!!
Oooh! Hope you LOVE IT!!!! 🙂
Would love some no alcoholic mango cocktail recipes please NAgi. Love your recipes. keep up the hard work. And Dozer as well.
Hi Elaine, thanks for the question! I forgot to add a non alcoholic option – adding it now! 🙂
I would give my right arm for a mango daiquiri right now. The sun is over the yardarm and it’s bloody hot. Can I have mine frozen?
The Groves seem like the BEST friends a person could have. Imagine having access to as many mangoes as you could eat? I believe that’s the closest thing to heaven a person could experience.
They are truly amazing people Maureen. Truly amazing! ❤️
Wonderful story and a good recipe, -34 c here so I will try this one to get that tropical feeling for warmer times. You have the best recipe site ever, keep up the great work for us all to enjoy.
Oh gosh I feel guilty rubbing it in about how WARM the weather is here!!! Stay cosy Gale! 🙂 N x
What a delightful story! I love mangos and have a tree in my backyard but that farm was absolutely amazing! How lucky that you get to visit there every year. My favorite mango drink is my husband’s famous mango colada but now I’m dying to try these daiquiris. Cheers!
Oooh! MANGO COLADA – amazing! Don’t suppose you’d care to share the recipe? 🙂 I’d LOVE to share it on Instagram!!!
Sure feel free to share. It really is super delicious especially for those of us that are crazy about mangos! Here is the link on my site to the recipe. http://2cookinmamas.com/2016/04/20/mango-colada/ Hope you get to try it!
I will I will! I have so many mangoes in the fridge!!! Thanks so much for that, I’ll tag you! N x