¿Qué cosa? Señorita Vino is expounding upon something other than vino?
Variety, chicas y chicos, is the spice of life, so to add a little sabor to your Memorial Day fin de semana, it is my supreme pleasure to introduce my latest invention…the Caipirinka. It’s a refreshingly exotic blend of mangoes, lime and pisco.
Yep, it’s like the Brazilian Caipirinha but with a two-fold Peruvian twist: 1). Pisco is the national drink of Perú*, and 2). Mangos grow happily in Perú. And of course, there’s 2a: Señorita Vino’s parents hail from the land of the Incas.
If you’re not familiar with pisco, it’s a clear alcoholic spirit made from grapes. Some say it’s comparable to Italy’s grappa and Greece’s ouzo. And like grappa and ouzo, pisco can knock you flat on your asti spumante, so be forewarned: un poquito goes a long way.
Adding to the Caipirinka’s uniquely Peruvian flair is the mango. Perú is one of six countries that exports mangos to the U.S. The mangos I used to make the Caipirinka were generously provided by the Mango Board, which probably had no idea I’d use them to make an alcoholic beverage.
But if anyone’s keeping track, this is arguably the world’s most nutrient-rich cocktail. Mangos contain more than 20 different types of nutrients and vitamins, and just one cup of mangos is 100 calories and provides 100% of your recommended vitamin C allowance. See? Señorita Vino cares muchísimo about the health (and girlish figures) of her readers.
I used fresh, pureed ataulfo mangos, the oblong, bright yellow fruit in the photo above. ¿Porqué ataulfo? Because this variety has no fibers and is as smooth as butter, making it a great option to blend in cocktails or fruit smoothies. Not only that, but the flesh is gloriously golden, calling to mind the gold treasure of the Inca empire. Now there’s a culture that literally worshipped its bling. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
So without further ado, here’s how you can add a little Inca gold to your Memorial Day weekend. Because we all have different palates (See “Vino 101”), you may want to adjust the amount of sugar, lime or pisco. If you do up the pisco content, Señorita Vino takes no responsabilidad if you wake up in a strange land, covered in gold sequins and tropical bird feathers. ¡Salud!
*There is some debate between Perú and Chile as to which country ‘invented’ pisco. It was Perú, of course (see 2a above).
Señorita Vino’s Caipirinka
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 cup of ripe Ataulfo mangos (about 2), cubed
6 tablespoons of sugar syrup (make ahead: Dissolve 8 tablespoons of baker’s sugar into 8 tablespoons of water in a pan over low heat. Bring to a boil, then boil for 1-2 minutes. Refrigerate. Keeps for about 2 weeks in the fridge).
8 ice cubes, cracked
4 key limes (or 2 regular limes), cut into small wedges. Save a few slices as a garnish, if desired.
4 teaspoons raw cane sugar, divided
4 ounces of pisco
3 additional ice cubes, cracked
In a blender, place the 8 cracked ice cubes, the mango and the sugar syrup. Blend until the mango is completely liquefied. Set aside. Place an equal amount of lime wedges into four small glasses. Add a teaspoon of raw cane sugar to each glass. With a muddler (see photo) or wooden spoon, crush the lime and sugar until it forms a paste.
Place the remaining three cracked cubes in a cocktail shaker. Add 2/3 cup of the mango puree and the pisco and shake until condensation forms on the shaker.
Pour immediately into the cocktail glasses. Garnish with lime wedge if desired.
I can’t wait to try this Senorita Vino. On top of everything else you have shared about wine, now you are inventing drinks with fiber to keep me healthy!
Well I learned something new today! I didn’t know that certain mangos have less fibers in them. Will have to remember this for next time. This recipe looks delicious, I tried Pisco for the first time a few months ago, it’s delicious. I’ll keep this post handy for the next time I get some.
I’ve never tried pisco but I am so curious to try this because of the mango combination.
I sure hope I can find Pisco down here in Mexico, because this looks like my kind of cocktail! 🙂
This Pisco Cocktail sounds great. Copy, paste, print and strain over ice!
I’ve never had Pisco either but anything with MANGO is a winner NOM NOM NOM Hope to try soon!!!!
Looks really yummy! Never heard or tried Pisco…on my list post baby ( :
Not sure if my comment went through…
Sounds yummy! Will try once post baby…. ( :
Guess who has a bottle of Pisco in her alcohol pantry right now…? Me! That’s who! I consider it part of a well stocked liquor cabinet, and you better believe I am going to try this concoction for my next cookout. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my guests on their … asti spumantes. CHeers!!
Cheers to you too, Maria! And how cool is it that you already have Pisco in the pantry? Just add mangos and you’re all set! Thanks for reading 🙂
Que rico se ve!!! A mi me encanta el pisco! Lo probe en una escala en Peru y me fascino! Posteriormente lo saborie en mi visita a Chile. Fascinada con tu receta!
Wow… wouldn’t of thought to use Mangos that way. It almost looks like a smoothie! A recipe like this will make me look totally legit as a mixologist. Thank you!
Good post, but I have a question. Where does one get a wooden muddler? Can ,I get it at any store – Target/Walmart.
Thanks!
Great question! I have not seen muddlers at Target, but you may be able to find one at a specialty cooking store. Another option is to search online. Amazon has wooden muddlers for as low as $4. Metal ones start at about $10. You can always use a regular wooden spoon, but it may take a bit longer since the edge is narrow. Cheers!
I could use a pisco cocktail now 🙂
No reason why you can’t have one at lunch 😀 ¡Salud!
I bet this drink was delightful. I could taste the combo of the smooth mango with lime and pisco. Yum. You’ve out-did yourself! 🙂
No he probado nunca el pisco, pero con esta receta me han dado unas ganas increibles. Ya me imagino sentada en el patio, al atardecer, con mi copa de Caipirinka 🙂
I haven’t try the Pisco. But I would like to. Especialmente porque mi fruta favorita es mango.
My roommate in grad school is peruana and she introduced me to this alcoholic nectar of the gods. Now you have created a wonderful, creative, refreshing, and exotic drink recipe. Bookmarked!
I need mas pisco in my life, only thing is that I don’t have any Peruvian friends to make me a really good authentic one! I can rely on my own skills, but imagine how wonderful it must be to have a peruana make one. Que rico. Perfecto for summer.
Next time you’re in L.A., I’m making you one, amiga!