In the winter, I dream of summer. Of long nights spent belly-laughing outdoors with friends, of oversized margaritas and overflowing molcajetes of creamy guacamole, of chasing fireflies but being too scared to touch one.
All of which happens frightfully infrequently, come summer. Instead, my days look like this: check weather forecast for any hint of fall, crank down the A/C and read Jane Eyre with a cup of Earl Grey, begin planning extravagant Christmas Eve dinner.
There’s a lesson in zen there somewhere, but I think we all suffer just a little from seasonal grass-is-greener syndrome–those of us with powerful imaginations, at least. Yet when I made this smoothie, in a simple effort to use up some prepackaged mango slices, I was catapulted into a future wintertime daydream of summer. The star of the reverie?
The mango mojito smoothie.
I was taken aback by simply how much the smoothie tasted of summer, all at once frothy and sweet, light and creamy, fresh and aromatic. It was like a barefoot childhood traipse through the sprinkler-dotted grass, a messy bite of overripe fruit, picking wild strawberries in the yard and wondering if we’d die if we ate them (this was, of course, B.G.E. – Before the Google Era – so we erred on the side of caution when it came to our contemplations).
I’ve lamented my inevitably destructive love of mojitos before with my berry mojito smoothie, but the pairing of mango and mint goes beyond that simple and fresh obsession with dangerously easy-to-drink cocktails. It simply is summer, simply is what I dream about when I’m shivering between the front door and my car.
Make it now, if only for fodder for the January reveries.
Mango Mojito Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups mango
- juice of half a lime
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar (depending on how sweet your mango is)
- 1 cup unsweetened , unflavored almond milk
- 3 handfuls ice
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients 'til smooth.
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Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
August 21, 2014 at 3:34 pmYou are the mojito queen! And I am a huge fan of them too, but your recipes are OVER THE TOP! I’ll take a bit of rum (or a few glugs) in my mango mojito, please. 😀 I’ve got the mint, now gotta run and get some mango! Thank you, Cheryl!!
Cheryl Malik says
August 21, 2014 at 3:48 pmRight?! I’m at least the queen of mojito-enthusiasm. I’m OBSESSED with them; it’s so odd. And a hearty helping of rum in these sounds pretttttty darn good…
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
August 20, 2014 at 5:32 pmWhat a fresh and delicious smoothie!!! Perfect for all the end of summer parties coming up!
Cheryl Malik says
August 20, 2014 at 9:38 pmThanks Olivia! 🙂
Pang @ circahappy says
August 20, 2014 at 11:45 amWhat a wonderful smoothie you have here!!!! Oh I love this refreshing Summer smoothie of yours so much.
Yes, I am going to miss Summer, and yes, I am already thinking about Christmas, but reading jane eyre with your smoothie sounds very good to me as well. 🙂
<3 <3 <3
Cheryl Malik says
August 20, 2014 at 12:02 pmThe best of both worlds!! Thanks Pang! 🙂
Allison says
August 20, 2014 at 7:26 amYes! I can totally relate. I am 100% a fall girl and spend all my summer days pining for the crisp days, sweaters, cute boots, apples, squash, and change in leaves. However, in the winter, I do think, wouldn’t it be nice for summer? Ha. Why do we do this!?
This drink looks so refreshing for those last muggy days of summer. Mint and mango are so perfect together. And the almond milk is a great addition for a little extra creaminess!
Cheryl Malik says
August 20, 2014 at 9:47 amRight?! One day about a month ago it was unseasonably cool–I don’t know, maybe 70º–and I made myself a pumpkin spice latte! Any excuse, man.
But yes, in the winter I look out at the bare trees and go, ‘This year, I won’t wish away summer!’ Oh well!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
August 19, 2014 at 10:11 pmYes to powerful imaginations!!! Sometimes such a blessing and sometimes…not so much! I completely understand – I’m the same way. 🙂 This Mango Mojito Smoothie though? I think this is the cure to all things! It looks delicious! Pinned!
Cheryl Malik says
August 20, 2014 at 9:56 amYes, cure all the things! 🙂 And totally agreed.. that imagination can be fabulous when it comes to logo design. However, if I don’t hear back from my husband after like two hours…. that powerful imagination conjures up a whole different set of ideas.
“…..maybe he was abducted by a defendant and is chained to a basement! OMG. I bet that’s it.” Ha!
Mercedes says
August 19, 2014 at 1:44 pmThis looks so yummy, just needs a large dose of rum. I might drink too much though x
Cheryl Malik says
August 19, 2014 at 2:11 pmHah! That made me literally LOL. I agree with you!! We just need to make sure not to drink and blog 😀 Lord knows what stories we’d end up telling!
Jessie @ Straight to the Hips, Baby says
August 19, 2014 at 1:30 pmWhat?! Mangoes?! Mojitos?! Two of my favorite things combined! Fabulous post and great recipe!
Cheryl Malik says
August 19, 2014 at 2:12 pmWoohoo! Thanks Jessie 🙂
Samantha says
August 19, 2014 at 2:26 amYour photos are gorgeous, I feel refreshed just looking at them! I think I need to make myself one now… 😉
Cheryl Malik says
August 19, 2014 at 10:26 amThanks Samantha! Do it.. you won’t regret it! 🙂
Lindsay @ The Local Taste says
August 18, 2014 at 8:13 pmLOVE this! I love mangos and mojitos, so this would have to be amazing. Beautiful photos as always!
Cheryl says
August 18, 2014 at 8:28 pmThanks Lindsay! 🙂
Melissa Belanger says
August 18, 2014 at 2:46 pmYou are seriously into mojitos lately! Not that I’m complaining because I might love them just as much as you.
Cheryl Malik says
August 18, 2014 at 3:29 pmI know! I am literally so obsessed. I think it’s because I never liked them before, so I’m making up for lost time!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
August 18, 2014 at 1:54 pmAnything with a strong taste of fresh mint reminds me of summer (or morocco, but that’s another story) so I am going to hold on to this recipe until the dead of winter/February when I really need a reminder that summer will, in fact, come back eventually. And in the meantime, I might drink a few hundred of these too. Just, you know, because.
Cheryl Malik says
August 18, 2014 at 1:57 pmJust in case! 🙂 And Morocco… man. Sounds amazing.
O says
August 18, 2014 at 1:22 pmGreat photos and can’t wait to try this recipe!
Cheryl Malik says
August 18, 2014 at 1:57 pmYou should, O! You will love it!