This easy 5-ingredient Aam Panna Margarita is a refreshing fusion cocktail that combines the tangy flavors of aam panna, a traditional Indian raw mango nectar, with the zesty kick of a classic margarita. It's a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, perfect for cooling down on a hot day.
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This spicy mango margarita is a fusion of two of my favorite cuisines - Indian and Mexican!
Aam Panna is a popular Indian summer drink made of raw green mangoes and seasoned with black salt and roasted cumin. This refreshing juice also has cooling properties to beat the heat of Indian summers.
I created this fusion margarita recipe for a Cinco De Mayo BBQ a few years ago. All our friends loved the drink so much that it became a regular at our get-togethers.
Today I'm sharing this simple recipe with a flavorful Indian twist on a classic margarita. You'll love this recipe even more when I tell you that it comes together in just 5 minutes. So, make a pitcher and enjoy it with family and friends!
And if you're a mango fan like me, don't forget to check out popular Mango Recipes on the blog!
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What is Aam Panna?
Aam Panna is an Indian chilled drink made with unripe green mangoes. This popular summer cooler is a blend of sweet and spicy flavors and is seasoned with black salt and roasted cumin.
In this recipe, we're using store-bought nectar to make this delicious Aam Panna cocktail. Enjoy one or make a pitcher to share with friends and family for Cinco de Mayo parties or a backyard BBQ!
Let's take a look at what we need for this mango drink.
Another popular Margarita Recipe: Skinny Margarita
Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
- Silver Tequila: I use 'silver tequila' also known as 'white', 'blanco' or 'plata' tequila, made from 100% agave (always check the label). It is considered ideal for margaritas. Some of my preferred brands are 1800 Select, Patron Silver and Hornitos Plata.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is the way to go here. Bottled concentrated juice will not taste good here.
- Aam Panna: You can prepare this at home, but I prefer the convenience of a store-bought aam panna. I like to use brands like Dabur Real or Deep.
- Agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that doesn't have an overpowering flavor. Honey is another good alternative, it'll require more stirring to blend in though. Alternatively, use simple syrup.
- Chili Lime Salt: I love Trader Joe's Chili lime seasoning. It enhances the taste of the margarita really well. Sea salt mixed with a pinch of cayenne is another alternative that would work equally well.
- Garnishes: I like to garnish this cocktail with a slice of dried chili mango threaded onto a cocktail pick. It not only adds a sweet-spicy kick to it but makes the drink look pretty fancy too!
Optionally, you can just garnish it with a slice of lime or just skip the garnish altogether.
Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Aam Panna Margarita
Salt the rim (optional): Spread 1 tablespoon of chili lime salt on a small plate. Rub lime on the rim of your glass, then dip the glass in the salt, coating it evenly.
Prepare margarita: Add ice cubes to a margarita glass. Add tequila, Aam panna, lime juice, agave, and chili lime seasoning, and stir well. Tequila is ready!
Optional garnish: Thread a slice of chili mango (dried fruit) onto a bamboo cocktail skewer and place it on the glass rim before serving.
How to Make it Ahead and Multiply
This is one of the easiest cocktails to make ahead for a party. Simply skip the ice, combine the other ingredients in a tall pitcher, and refrigerate.
For 8 drinks: In a tall pitcher (2-3 qt), combine 1½ cups tequila, 1½ cups aam panna, ¾-1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons agave, and 1 teaspoon chili-lime seasoning.
Stir well and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours. When ready to serve, stir again, then pour about 5 oz per glass over ice. Rim glasses with chili-lime salt if desired.
How to Make it Without Alcohol
You can enjoy an Aam Panna mocktail by skipping the tequila and adding an equal quantity of ginger ale or Sprite instead.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Tequila: I use 'silver tequila' also known as 'white', 'blanco' or 'plata' tequila. It is made from 100% agave (always check the label). Some of my preferred brands are 1800 Select, Patron Silver, and Hornitos Plata.
- Agave: 1 teaspoon of agave syrup gives this drink a light yet balanced sweetness. To make it sweeter, add another ½-1 teaspoon. Alternatively, use simple syrup.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice makes a huge difference to the final taste, so I highly recommend using that.
- Chill your glass: Keep your serving glasses in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before assembling this cocktail. It really enhances the drink.
- Salted Rim: Spread a layer of chili lime seasoning onto a small plate. Rub lime around the rim of your glass, then dip it into the salt so it sticks. Tap the glass gently to shake off the excess. Continue making your drink.
- Aam Panna Mocktail: Enjoy an alcohol-free Aam Panna mocktail by substituting tequila with ginger ale or Sprite.
FAQ
I prefer to use 1800 Select, Patron Silver, and Hornitos Plata since they are made with 100% agave.
You can use simple syrup instead.
You can use any spiced juice, like guava, pineapple, or pomegranate instead of Aam Panna.
Popular Cocktails on the Blog
These recipes are part of the Drink Recipes Collection:
📖 Recipe
Aam Panna Margarita
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Ingredients
- 1½ cup Ice cubes
- 1½ ounce tequila
- 3 tablespoons Aam Panna (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoon lime juice 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon agave adjust as needed
- ⅛ teaspoon chili lime salt (I use Trader Joe's brand)
Optional Garnish & Finishes
- Chili Lime salt for the rim
- Chili Mango Slice for garnish
Instructions
- Salt Rim (optional): Spread 1 tablespoon of chili lime salt on a small plate. Rub lime on the rim of your glass, then dip the glass in the salt, coating it evenly.
- Prepare margarita: Add ice cubes to a margarita glass. Add tequila, Aam panna, lime juice, agave, and chili lime seasoning, and stir well. Tequila is ready!
- Optional Garnish: Thread a slice of chili mango (dried fruit) onto a bamboo cocktail skewer and place it on the glass rim before serving.
Notes
- Tequila: I use 'silver tequila' also known as 'white', 'blanco' or 'plata' tequila. It is made from 100% agave (always check the label). Some of my preferred brands are 1800 Select, Patron Silver, and Hornitos Plata.
- Agave: 1 teaspoon of agave syrup gives this drink a light yet balanced sweetness. To make it sweeter, add another ½-1 teaspoon. Alternatively, use simple syrup.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice makes a huge difference to the final taste, so I highly recommend using that.
- Chill your glass: Keep your serving glasses in the refrigerator 20 minutes prior to assembling this cocktail. It really enhances the drink.
- Salted Rim: Spread a layer of chili lime seasoning onto a small plate. Rub lime around the rim of your glass, then dip it into the salt so it sticks. Tap the glass gently to shake off the excess. Continue making your drink.
- Aam Panna Mocktail: Enjoy an alcohol-free Aam Panna mocktail by substituting tequila with ginger ale or sprite.
Nidhi Goel says
Hi Anisha, this cocktail looks so amazing. I really want to make this for my Diwali party. Can you please post recipe for make ahead pitcher like you have got other drinks recipes. Thank You.
Aneesha Gupta says
Hi Nidhi, Thank you! I just edited and added a section for multiplying the recipe. Here's the recipe for 8 drinks, you can multiply accordingly. Please read the instructions above: For 8 drinks: In a tall pitcher (2-3 qt), combine 1½ cups tequila, 1½ cups aam panna, ¾-1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 Tbsp + 2 teaspoons agave, and 1 teaspoon chili-lime seasoning. Enjoy!!
Nidhi Goel says
Thank you so much!! I plan to make it for Diwali. Will surely let you know how it came out.
Aneesha Gupta says
You're welcome 🙂 I hope you and your guests love it!