Aam Panna Margarita Spiced Mango Cocktail

This spicy mango margarita is a fusion of two of my favorite cuisines - Indian and Mexican!

Aam Panna is a popular Indian summer drink made of raw green mangoes and seasoned with black salt and roasted cumin. This refreshing juice also has cooling properties to beat the heat of Indian summers. I created this fusion margarita recipe for a Cinco De Mayo BBQ a few years ago. All our friends loved the drink so much that it became a regular at our get-togethers. Today I’m sharing this simple recipe with a flavorful Indian twist on a classic margarita. You’ll love this recipe even more when I tell you that it comes together in just 5 minutes. So, make a pitcher and enjoy it with family and friends! And if you’re a mango fan like me, don’t forget to check out popular Mango Recipes on the blog!

What is Aam Panna?

Aam Panna is an Indian chilled drink made with unripe green mangoes. This popular summer cooler is a blend of sweet and spicy flavors and is seasoned with black salt and roasted cumin. In this recipe, we’re using store-bought nectar to make this delicious Aam Panna cocktail. Enjoy one or make a pitcher to share with friends and family for Cinco de Mayo parties or a backyard BBQ! Let’s take a look at what we need for this mango drink. Another popular Margarita Recipe: Skinny Margarita

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

Silver Tequila: I use ‘silver tequila’ also known as ‘white’, ‘blanco’ or ‘plata’ tequila, made from 100% agave (always check the label). It is considered ideal for margaritas. Some of my preferred brands are 1800 Select, Patron Silver and Hornitos Plata. Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is the way to go here. Bottled concentrated juice will not taste good here. Aam Panna: You can prepare this at home, but I prefer the convenience of a store-bought aam panna. I like to use brands like Dabur Real or Deep. Agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that doesn’t have an overpowering flavor. Honey is another good alternative, it’ll require more stirring to blend in though. Alternatively, use simple syrup. Chili Lime Salt: I love Trader Joe’s Chili lime seasoning. It enhances the taste of the margarita really well. Sea salt mixed with a pinch of cayenne is another alternative that would work equally well. Garnishes: I like to garnish this cocktail with a slice of dried chili mango threaded onto a cocktail pick. It not only adds a sweet-spicy kick to it but makes the drink look pretty fancy too!

Optionally, you can just garnish it with a slice of lime or just skip the garnish altogether. Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Aam Panna Margarita

Salt the rim (optional): Spread 1 tablespoon of chili lime salt on a small plate. Rub lime on the rim of your glass, then dip the glass in the salt, coating it evenly. Prepare margarita: Add ice cubes to a margarita glass. Add tequila, Aam panna, lime juice, agave, and chili lime seasoning, and stir well. Tequila is ready! Optional garnish: Thread a slice of chili mango (dried fruit) onto a bamboo cocktail skewer and place it on the glass rim before serving.

How to Make it Ahead

This is one of the easiest cocktails to make ahead for a party. Simply skip the ice, combine the other ingredients in a tall pitcher, and refrigerate 4-8 hours before your party. When ready to serve, put ice cubes in glasses and pour the margarita over!

How to Make it Without Alcohol

You can enjoy an Aam Panna mocktail by skipping the tequila and adding an equal quantity of ginger ale or Sprite instead.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Tequila: I use ‘silver tequila’ also known as ‘white’, ‘blanco’ or ‘plata’ tequila. It is made from 100% agave (always check the label). Some of my preferred brands are 1800 Select, Patron Silver, and Hornitos Plata. Agave: 1 teaspoon of agave syrup gives this drink a light yet balanced sweetness. To make it sweeter, add another ½-1 teaspoon. Alternatively, use simple syrup. Lime juice: Fresh lime juice makes a huge difference to the final taste, so I highly recommend using that. Chill your glass: Keep your serving glasses in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before assembling this cocktail. It really enhances the drink. Salted Rim: Spread a layer of chili lime seasoning onto a small plate. Rub lime around the rim of your glass, then dip it into the salt so it sticks. Tap the glass gently to shake off the excess. Continue making your drink. Aam Panna Mocktail: Enjoy an alcohol-free Aam Panna mocktail by substituting tequila with ginger ale or Sprite.