The Mango Vulcan – Sweet tropical mango, tart lime juice, and a generous sprinkle of Vulcan Fire Salt make up this excellent lip-smacking cocktail. Believe me when I say: Sweet, tart, and spicy is the new triple treat!
Ladies and gentlemen… Welcome to your Friday.
Welcome to the end of your work week. Well, for most of you. This week may have been productive or may have been a total waste of time.
Perhaps the highlight of your week was a good review for outstanding work performance, followed by a very hefty raise. Congratulations. Let’s celebrate that situation.
Or perhaps you had a shouting match with a stranger on the subway platform over something trivial. That sucks boo, and I am sorry.
This week I walked out of work and noticed it was still light outside. For many this means the promise of spring. For me this signifies the promise of longer natural light. #foodbloggerproblems
So Friday – Whether you are celebrating or are still seething in anger – It’s time for a cocktail.
I don’t know if I ever told you, but mangoes are my favorite fruit. As I child I spent many a summer with a bag of mangoes in front of me, eating till my tiny belly felt like it would burst. I still do this as an adult, by the way; my belly today being much, much larger than my former years.
The second I see Dominican or Haitian mangoes in the supermarket giddiness washes over me, I am gangly and awkward, and immediately transported to the Dominican Republic. I eat mangoes like it’s nobody’s beeswax. I don’t share. It’s not in me.
This cocktail was born of my love of mangoes. Mangoes are not yet in their prime – So I forced the prime out of that situation with a mango puree and a bit of sugar and water. You know me and my simple syrups. Did you know mangoes pair well with spice? They do homeslice. If you haven’t heard of Vulcan Fire Salt, then I suggest you familiarize yourself with that jammy and buy yourself a few bottles.
Vulcan Fire Salt is more than just a hot salt. In addition to chiles the salt is mixed with cumin, allspice, lime peel, and vinegar. The salt is rimmed on the glass lending its terrifically deep spicy flavor to the cocktail. Does it overpower? No. Not even a little bit. The spice is pronounced yet won’t burn the crap out of your tongue. It’s welcome, even necessary here.
A couple of muddled limes rounds out this drink and helps cut the sweetness imparted by the mango. We end with a healthy dose of tequila and a healthy sprinkle of fire salt.
Allow me to welcome you once again to your Friday.
Let us welcome this weekend situation with a drink.
[purerecipe]
Ingredients
Vulcan fire salt rim
- 1 teaspoon Vulcan fire salt
- 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
Mango simple syrup
- 1 Pureed mango
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Cocktail
- 2 Lime wedges
- 1 tablespoon Freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Mango simple syrup
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) Mango nectar
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Orange juice or triple sec
- 2.5 ounces (4 tablespoons) Blanco tequila
- Ice
- Sprinkle of vulcan fire salt
Instructions
Make the mango simple syrup:
- In a small saucepan combine the pureed mango, water, and granulated sugar. Mix to combine and bring to a boil over high heat. Once the mixture
- has been brought to a boil reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture looks somewhat translucent, about 10 minutes or so.
- Remove from heat and strain the mixture into a jar with a tightfitting lid. Allow it to come to room temperature uncovered. Once the mixture has cooled completely,
- seal and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Prepare your glass:
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar and the vulcan fire salt. Moisten the outer rim of a glass with the lime wedge and coat lightly with sugar/vulcan salt mixture.
Make the cocktail:
- To a cocktail shaker add the lime wedges and lime juice. Muddle with a muddler or back of a wooden spoon until the limes have released their juice and fragrance. Add the mango simple syrup, mango nectar, orange juice, tequila, and ice. Give it a vigorous shake for about 10-15 seconds.
- Add ice to the glass and strain drink into the glass. Sprinkle with vulcan fire salt.
- Knock it back.
- Makes enough for 2, 6 ounce cocktails