I’ve heard it said that while Christmas is for family, New Year’s Eve is for friends. I don’t know how true that is for you but I’m guessing that your New Year’s Eve celebration will include plenty of drinks and finger food.
If you’re feeling a bit rebellious and quite ready to turn away from the tradition of popping a bottle (or two or more) of champagne when the clock strikes twelve, here’s a drink that won’t make you miss the bubbles.
Mango Tequila Cocktail
Imagine Tequila Sunrise without orange juice but with pureed sweet mangoes. This mango tequila cocktail is thick, rich, sweet and, quite frankly, mesmerizing.
Adapted from a recipe in Complete Thai Cooking, Octopus Publishing Group Ltd., 2006.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 ripe mangoes
- 2 cups tequila
- 1 cup Triple Sec
- ½ cup grenadine
- 1 cup lime juice
- 10 tablespoons white sugar (you may add more if your mangoes has a bit of tartness in them)
- crushed ice, to serve
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slice the mangoes and discard the stones.
- Scoop out the flesh and place in a blender.
- Pour in the liquid ingredients.
- Process until smooth.
Notes
If ripe mangoes are unavailable, you may use mango puree. Check if it’s sweetened or unsweetened to determine how much sugar you’ll need to add to the mix to create a good flavor balance.
If your blender is not large enough to process all the ingredients in one go, make the drink in two or three batches.
You may store the mixed drink in the fridge. Pour into a covered container and keep chilled. When ready to serve, stir before pouring into glasses. Drop in a couple ice cubes to dilute the thickish drink and to keep it cold.
Make ahead finger food
2-cheese spinach and artichoke dip: Chopped spinach and marinated artichoke hearts are stirred with cheeses, sour cream, mayo and seasonings to make this dip. We enjoy it with toast or tortilla chips.
Chorizo in red wine: Spanish chorizo is delicious. But soak it in red wine and it is ten times more delicious. The depth of flavor is simply incomparable.
Herby cream cheese spread: A no-cook appetizer to go with your New Year’s Eve cocktail drinks, this herb-loaded cheese spread is ready in ten minutes flat. Serve with crackers and enjoy.
Happy New Year to you. And remember: if you drink, don’t drive.
