Almost as popular as a frozen margarita, this icy, crunchy cocktail captures summer in a drink. To turn into a mocktail, omit the tequila.

Frozen mangorita

Serves 2-4 

Ingredients

300g frozen mango cubes
¼ cup tequila of choice
2 Tbsp lime juice
¼ cup water
2 Tbsp white sugar
3 large handfuls ice
Coarse salt, for coating 
Tajin spice 

Method

1. Add mango, tequila, lime juice, water and sugar to a food processor and blitz until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. (Add a splash of extra water if the mixture doesn’t blend easily at first.)
2. Place one plastic bag inside another, creating a double bag. Fill with ice, tie closed and use a rolling pin to smash into small bits. (This makes it easier for the blender to break up the ice).
3. Add ice to the blender with the mango mixture and blend for another minute to form a slushy.
4. Combine salt and spice on a flat plate.
5. Dip glasses into a shallow dish of lemon juice or water, then press into salt mixture, turning around to coat the inside and outside of the rim.
6. Decant frozen mangorita into glasses, finish with a wedge of lime and enjoy.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MyKitchen (@mykitchen_mag)

Bartender’s note 

Instead of using mango fruit, you can simply decant pure mango juice into 3-4 ice cube trays and freeze overnight before blending along with the other ingredients. 

Recipe & styling: Sjaan van der Ploeg
Photography: Zhann Solomons

Also read: Raise your glass to the New Year with 4 festive drinks 

The post Frozen mangorita appeared first on MyKitchen.

This season we’re loving melon in all forms. Enjoy this delicious melon & chilli margarita.  

Melon & chilli margarita 

Serves 2 

The fresh sweetness of spanspek is boosted by hints of chilli, deepening its flavour.  

Combine 2 Tbsp each sugar, sea salt flakes and 1 chopped red chilli. Dip the rims of two cocktail 1 pitted glasses in lemon juice and coat with sugar mixture. Set aside. Blend 1½  cups spanspek until smooth. Place in a cocktail shaker and add 2 tots (50ml) tequila, 1 juiced lime, 1 tot (25ml) simple syrup, 5 mint leaves and ½ deseeded red chilli (optional). Top up with crushed ice and shake for 30 seconds. Fill glass with ice and strain over cocktail. Serve garnished with melon slices.  

Recipes & styling: Sjaan van der Ploeg 

Photographs: Fresh Living Magazine 

Also read: Pineapple margaritas with chilli and lime

The post Melon & chilli margarita  appeared first on MyKitchen.

Pour a drink, take a sip and wheel in the seasonal splendour with our fresh take on tantalising cocktails.  

Brunch babe

Hop on the brunch train with these punchy late-morning drinks to get your day rolling.

Rebujito  

Serves 6-8  

A sweet and zesty Spanish cocktail that refreshes with tons of ice and mint.   

Combine 1 deseeded and finely chopped red chilli or chilli powder, zest of 2-3 limes and 3-4 Tbsp sea salt flakes. Set aside. Rub a lime or lemon wedge along half the rim and one side of 6-8 tumbler glasses. Dip glasses in salt mixture to coat well. Set aside. In a large jug, combine 1 cup sherry, 3 cups sparkling lemonade and 1 punnet (20g) mint leaves. Top up with ice and stir to combine. Pour in salt rimmed glasses just before serving and enjoy.  

Cook’s tip
Swap out half the salt for light brown sugar, if you prefer a sweeter finish to your brunch punch.

Happy hour

Get the party started with these must-make margaritas!

Dirty pineapple margarita  

Makes 1 

Hosting a crowd? Make a large batch and serve in a jug.  

Ingredients

For the jalapeño simple syrup 

1 jalapeño, halved
½ cup sugar 
½ cup water  

For the salt rim  

3 Tbsp sea salt flakes
2 limes, zested and juiced  

For the margarita  

2 tots (50ml) Tequila Blanco 1 lime, juiced
2 Tbsp jalapeño simple syrup 
¾ cup pineapple juice  

To serve  

Pineapple, cut into triangles 
Pineapple leaves (optional) 
Sliced jalapeños  

Method 

1. For the simple syrup, add all the ingredients to a pot over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and simmer for 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
2. Combine salt rim ingredients except the lime juice and set aside. 
3. Dip the rims of two cocktail glasses in the lime juice and coat with salt mixture. Set aside. 
4. Add a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker or sealable jar, along with the margarita ingredients. Shake for 30-45 seconds, then strain into serving glasses. 
5. To serve, garnish the glasses with pineapple, pineapple leaves, if using, and sliced jalapeños. 

Night owl

Bring’out on the town’ back inside with these dazzling celebratory drinks.

Paloma 

Makes 1 

Pretty and pink, this citrusy drink is a trendy favourite. 

Ingredients

2 grapefruits, juiced
2 Tbsp simple syrup
2 limes, juiced
2 tots (50ml) Tequila blanco 
1 sprig rosemary, optional  

To serve  

Soda water 
Crushed ice
Sliced grapefruit 
Citrus twirl  

Method 

1. Place ingredients with a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker or sealable jar. Shake for 30 seconds, then strain into a cocktail glass. 
2. Top up with soda water, ice, sliced grapefruit and a citrus twirl. 

Recipes and photographs: Fresh Living Magazine 

The post 3 spicy cocktails for summer appeared first on MyKitchen.

These crowd-pleasers are easy to make in big batches, can be altered for non-alcoholic options and require little to no effort. All you need is sugar syrup! 

Make a sugar syrup: 

Add 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a pot over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes, remove and set aside to cool. For an alcohol-free version, use 1 cup apple juice instead of rum. 

Passionfruit punch 

Serves 10  

Ingredients 

5 cups ice blocks
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup sugar syrup
1L passion fruit juice
1/2 cup lime juice
2 tubs (230g each) passion fruit pulp
1 bottle (750ml each) sparkling wine 

Method 

1. In a large punch bowl, combine 5 cups ice blocks with 1/2 cup vodka, 1/2 cup sugar syrup, 1L passion fruit juice, 1/2 cup lime juice, 2 tubs (230g each) passion fruit pulp.
2. Stir together and finish with 1 bottle (750ml each) sparkling wine of your choice.
3. Ladle into cups and enjoy! 

Watermelon margarita slushy 

Serves 10 

Ingredients 

1/2 large watermelon (seeds removed)
1 1/2 cups Blanco tequila
1 cup sugar syrup
5 limes, plus extra for garnish
Coarse sea salt   

Method 

1. Cut the flesh from 1/2 large watermelon (seeds removed) into small cubes, freeze for at least 2 hours.  
2. Place a large jug in the freezer.  
3. Add watermelon to a food processor with 11/2 cups Blanco tequila, 1 cup sugar syrup and juice from 5 limes (Do this in batches if blender is small). Blend until a smooth slushy consistency is reached.  
4. Decant the watermelon slushy into the cold pitcher and serve immediately in glasses garnished with lime slices.
5. Level up by first dipping the rims of your glasses in lime or lemon juice, followed by coarse sea salt. 

Big batch mojitos 

Serves 10 

Ingredients 

1/2 cup sugar syrup
2 punnets (40g) mint leaves 
Juice of 4 limes
5 cups of ice
1 1/4 cups white rum
1.5-2L soda water 

Method 

1. Place 1/2 cup sugar syrup, 2 punnets (40g) mint leaves and juice of 4 limes into a large pitcher or jug.  
2. Use a cocktail muddler or the back end of a wooden spoon to bruise and mix everything together to release the flavours.  
3. Add 5 cups ice, 11/4 cups white rum and 1.5-2L soda water (or as much needed to fill your jug). Use your muddler or spoon to stir together.  
4. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more sugar syrup, lime juice or rum. 

Words: Sjaan van der Ploeg

Photography: Shutterstock, Fresh living Magazine

Also read: 5 Festive cocktails to serve at your New Year bash 

The post Fail-proof cocktails for any occasion appeared first on MyKitchen.

Transform your favourite brew into the life of the party with this creative recipe. These lageritas also have just the right amount of tequila to get you into the weekend mood.

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS
990 ml lager
¾ cup tequila
¾ cup lime cordial
2 limes, 1 cut into wedges, 1 sliced, to garnish
2 tbsp sea salt, to garnish

METHOD
1. In a large pitcher, combine the lager, tequila and lime cordial.
2. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each glass, then dip in salt.
3. Pour into glasses and garnish with a slice of lime.

These salted mango and vodka slushies make delicious party starters!

The post Lageritas appeared first on MyKitchen.

Herbs and spirits make a killer cocktail combo, and we’re giving this classic an upgrade with easy-to-grow-at-home rosemary. Who could say ‘no’ to our berry margaritas on Friyay?

MAKES 2 // COOKING TIME 5 min

INGREDIENTS
2 cups water
1 cup mixed berries, some sliced
¼ cup tequila
Juice of 2 limes
1 egg white
2 tbsp sugar
Crushed ice
2 sprigs rosemary

METHOD
1. Combine the water, berries, tequila, lime juice, egg white, sugar and ice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Pour into 2 glasses. Stir with the rosemary sprigs, leaving them in the glasses to garnish.

The post Rosemary and berry margaritas appeared first on MyKitchen.