5 Very Different Mango RTD Cocktails to Try Right Now
Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of mango ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails and it turns out that’s not by accident. It’s part of a larger trend. Bold fruit flavors including mango (along with black cherry and pineapple) are currently leading RTD growth, according to recent sales data from B2B eCommerce marketplace Provi.
Provi also reports that one of the top RTD offerings on their marketplace platform is White Claw Hard Seltzer Mango. White Claw Hard Seltzer Mango contains purified carbonated water, alcohol, natural flavors, cane sugar, citric acid, natural mango juice concentrate, and sodium citrate. If that doesn’t sound terribly appealing; you’re in luck. There are plenty of other mango RTDs that feature more appealing and even organic ingredients.
Instead of just “alcohol,” some of the most interesting mango flavored RTD cocktails use real tequila, agave wine, vodka and even cachaça. And rather than relying on citric acid and sodium citrate as flavoring agents, we found producers boosting flavor in their cocktails by pairing mango with other flavors such as lime, pineapple and even tamarind and chile. Here are 5 mango RTDs that don’t have artificial ingredients or added preservatives and represent a surprisingly wide range of cocktail styles.
Cutwater Spirits Mango Margarita
A Double Gold winner in the 2022 NY International Spirits Competition this RTD is a top pick. Made with tequila, mango and lime, this juicy margarita is incredibly fresh tasting, with no cloying notes or bitterness. It’s vibrant with complex spice notes and a very clean finish. It’s just what you would want to drink with a Mexican summer barbecue or have with tacos, all that’s missing is a salt rimmed glass!
12.5% ABV, a 4 pack of 12 ounce cans is about $13.99
Buena Fé Organic Quencher Mango Pineapple
Buena Fé prides itself on using only organic juice, organic agave, organic natural flavors and organic tequila, sourced from Jalisco. Extremely refreshing and bright, not at all sweet, bursting with tropical flavors and aromas. It offers a good balance of pineapple and mango. A lightly sparkling and sessionable style drink for a hot day or to enjoy during happy hour.
The cans are 12 ounces, 5%ABV and 140 calories. It comes in a 4-pack for $14.99
Flybird Spicy Tamarind Mangonada
Flybird Cocktails makes wine-based cocktails recently introduced a new cocktail inspired by the traditional Mangonada beverage enjoyed in the streets of Mexico. It is made with mango, tamarind, chile de arbol, cane sugar, agave and water but because it’s made with agave wine, it does include sulfites. The mingling of tangy tamarind, sweet mango and subtle hint of chile makes for a very intriguing and sophisticated cocktail. Nicely balanced and not too sweet.
It clocks in at 15% ABV and you serve it over ice, rather than chilling the bottle, for ideal dilution. The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $12.99.
Novo Fogo Sparkling Caipirinha Mango-Lime
A sparkling cocktail made with Brazilian cachaça, mango syrup and lime. It can be served straight from the chilled can, over ice in a glass, and with or without a slice of lime. The caipirinha is a cocktail traditionally made with cachaça, lime and sugar, this mango version is crisp and lightly fizzy, and has a fresh sweet mango flavor that benefits from additional fresh lime. Perfect for drinking poolside.
200ml cans, $3.99 per can; $15.99 per four-pack 8.5 % ABV. It’s 135 calories and 11 grams of carbs.
Another organic option from Drake’s Organic Spirits, made with vodka, organic fruit juice and extracts and about 5g sugar per serving. No need to chill the box, it should be served over ice and is shelf stable for up to 2 years. A cocktail for those who like a spiked fruit punch. While the box image shows a garnish of a sprig of mint, a healthy squeeze of lime cuts the sweetness and makes it more palatable for those who don’t have a sweet tooth.
1.75-liter box, offers the equivalent of 14 cocktails At 12% ABV, it is shelf stable up to 2 years. $17.99. Extremely economical, it’s also more sustainable, because the packaging makes it less heavy to ship and carry and easier to recycle.