Learn how to make homemade Mango Juice! You're going to love this tasty fruit nectar recipe ... juicing mango is so much easier than you'd think, the finished juice is ready in minutes, and best of all, it's out of this world delicious!
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I found myself with a surplus of mangos recently (definitely not a bad problem to have), so I decided to try making my own juice. And I'm not sure I'll ever go back to store bought!
You are going to love this mouthwatering Mango Juice recipe! It tastes just like fresh mango, and the bright, sweet flavor makes it feel like you're sipping on pure sunshine!
Juicing mangos at home is super simple, too. There's no juicer required—you'll use your blender or food processor instead—and it's so quick and easy to make. Plus, the recipe is easy to customize with different sweeteners, and you can even mix it with other juices. Yum!
Ready to start sipping? Keep reading for the easy recipe, plus lots of helpful tips!
Benefits of Juicing Mango
There are so many benefits to making mango juice at home. First of all, you know exactly what's in it ... there are no mystery ingredients required! Second, mangos are very nutritious. They are rich in vitamins (such as vitamins K and C), minerals, and antioxidants (like beta-carotene), and a good source of potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber, and folate. Learn more about these health benefits at WebMD.
Nectar vs. Juice
Mango Nectar and Mango Juice are very similar drinks, and the difference between them can be confusing. Here in the U.S. though, juice is considered to be a drink that's made from 100% fruit juice, while nectar may have added ingredients like water and sweeteners. Nectars often have more of a thicker, viscous texture, as well.
Because pureed mango is super thick, you'll thin it out with a little water (and add optional sweetener) while preparing this recipe. So technically, you are making a nectar here.
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, easy to find ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Mangos - This recipe calls for one mango, however you can easily double, triple, or use as many mangos as you'd like. Any variety will work, just make sure to choose the sweetest, juiciest ones you can find.
- Water - Because this recipe is made with pureed mango, the pulp gives it a naturally thick texture. To make the puree drinkable, you will need to thin it with water. You can also customize this drink by mixing it with other fruit juices. Check out the Variations section below for tips.
- Optional - In addition to water, other ingredients (such as sweetener) can also be added to enhance the flavor of the homemade juice. I added some maple syrup and a squeeze of lime, both of which helped brighten the overall flavor.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free ... all those good things. Which means everyone at your table can enjoy it!
Tip: It's essential to use fresh, ripe mangos for this recipe. To tell if the fruit is ripe, give it a gentle squeeze. If it's ripe, the fruit should have a little give ... similar to how a ripe avocado or a peach would feel.
You'll Also Need
No juicer necessary for this recipe! Instead, you'll need a sharp knife, measuring cup (a liquid measuring cup works best), and a blender or a food processor to make the homemade juice.
How to Make Mango Juice
Juicing mangos is a super simple process! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Prep mango. Start by peeling and chopping the mango. You want to get as much flesh off the fruit as possible without using the fibrous bits closer to the pit.
- Add the chopped mango to your blender or food processor. Tip: Give the pit a squeeze over your blender / food processor to capture as much juice as possible.
- Puree. Whether you're using a blender or a food processor, you want to puree the chopped fruit until it's totally smooth. Make sure to stop and stir a couple times to make sure everything gets pureed.
- Add water + other ingredients. Once the fruit is blended, stir in the water and other ingredients like sweeteners or lime juice. Tip: I used equal amounts of puree and juice, but you can play around with the proportions. Just keep in mind that the more water you add, the less flavor your juice will have.
And now you know how to make the BEST Mango Juice! You are going to love this easy recipe ... it literally takes minutes to prepare, and the fresh flavor is truly spectacular.
If your mango is particularly fibrous, you can strain the finished fruit puree through a fine mesh strainer. However, I've found that this isn't usually necessary.
Variations
This recipe is easily customizable, and I encourage you to play around with the proportions of water and sweetener (if using) to create your perfect drink! You can also add other ingredients to change up the flavors ... here are some easy ideas:
- Sweetener - The sweetener in this recipe is optional, although it definitely boosts the flavor. This recipe calls for maple syrup, however other sweeteners (such as honey or Simple Syrup) can also be used. You could even use granulated sugar (I would add it when pureeing the mango to make sure it has a chance to dissolve).
- Juice Combinations - For a tasty twist on this basic recipe, mix the mango puree with another juice instead of water. You can get creative here ... try peach, pineapple, orange, grape, cranberry, passion fruit, apple, guava, carrot, strawberry, and more. Juice combinations such as pineapple, mango, and orange are also delish. It's hard to go wrong, just keep in mind that most juices are pretty sweet, so you may not need to add extra sweetener.
- Coconut Water - Swap out the water for coconut water, and you'll add an extra pop of flavor and nutrition.
- Sparkling Water - Like your juices bubbly? Try making this recipe with sparkling water. Make sure to add it just before serving, so the bubbles last longer. I like Topo Chico!
- Fresh Herbs - Have fresh mint or basil hanging around your fridge? Throw some in with the mango before pureeing it, or use it as a fragrant drink garnish.
- Ginger + Other Spices - Spices can add a wonderful taste to the fresh juice. Ginger or cardamom are two spices that are frequently paired with mango, but others such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or even chili powder can also be used.
- Citrus - I like to add a squeeze of lime (lemon can also be used) before serving. It really brightens the flavors of the finished drink.
- Chia - Are you a chia fan? Try sprinkling a few seeds over the top. You could also add a tablespoon (or so) of chia seeds to the finished juice. Then let it sit for at least a half an hour so they can soak up the liquid.
Tip: You can also use this homemade Mango Nectar Juice to make other drinks (like Lemonade), smoothies, and cocktails (like a Margarita or a Mango Mojito). Just keep in mind that you'll probably need less water (or no water), depending on the other ingredients you mix with it.
Storage
This recipe tastes best when freshly made, however you can store any leftover juice in an airtight container (such as a jar or bottle) in your refrigerator. The juice will taste best / freshest when enjoyed within a day or two. Make sure to stir the juice before drinking if it separates.
Related Recipes
Looking for more delicious mango recipes? Try one of these next:
- Mango Overnight Oatmeal
- Mango Mojito
- Mango Rice Salad
- Mango Yogurt Parfait
- Tropical Trail Mix
- Mango Sorbet
Craving more juice recipes? Make sure to check out this Watermelon Juice recipe, too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, mango is good for juicing. Because mango is so soft and pulpy though, it works best to prepare the juice using your blender or food processor (rather than a juicer).
Yes, you need to peel mango before juicing it. Although the peel is technically edible, it will give your juice an unpleasant texture.
To cut an mango for juicing, leave the skin on, then slice through the fruit on either side of the pit. You should have two mango "cheeks". Score the fruit in a grid, without slicing through the peel, then cut the mango chunks off the peel. Need more help? Check out my step-by-step tips for cutting mango which has lots of helpful photos and tips.
No, you cannot put a whole mango in a juicer. If you'd like to use a juicer, peel, seed, and cut the mango into chunks first. Rather than using a juicer though, I'd recommend pureeing mango using a blender or food processor. That way, you can incorporate the pulp (which has the most flavor).
Mango Juice
Ingredients
- 1 large mango
- water
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or other sweetener (optional)
- lime wedge (optional)
Equipment
Instructions
- Peel and chop the mango. Remove as much flesh as possible without using the fibrous bits closer to the seed.
- Transfer chopped fruit to blender or food processor, then puree until totally smooth.
- Add enough water to thin mango puree to a drinkable consistency. (I used equal parts puree and water, however this is customizable; see note.)
- Stir in sweetener to taste and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice (if using).
- Drink immediately or store in an air tight container until ready to serve. Enjoy!