Mango Grand Marnier Margaritas & Food Blog Camp 2011, Cancun

Mango Grand Marnier Margaritas

A week at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya Resortnear Cancun, Mexico was a fantastic way to kick off the New Year.  We were there for Food Blog Camp 2011 to learn from some of the top food bloggers, photographers and food stylists in the world. It was a fantastic week with good food, sunshine and warm tropical breezes, high-powered teaching, new friendships and food-blogger fellowship.

Elise Bauer, Todd Porter, Jaden Hair, Matt Armendariz, Adam Pearson, David Lebovitz, Diane Cu

It was such a privilege to meet and be taught  by (yes, and hang out with)Elise Bauer of Simply Recipes, David Lebovitz, Diane Cu and Todd Porter ofWhite On Rice Couple, Matt Armendariz of Matt Bites, Adam Pearson, and Jaden Hair of Steamy Kitchen.

Oh, did I mention the margaritas?

We couldn’t resist a refreshing margarita in the land of tequila. Traditional, Cadillac, ruby red strawberry, cool white coconut, lime green lime, pale peach, or bright orange mango. It was hard to decide. The mango won, but it needed a little something more.

Colorful margaritas at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort

With the intent of not only getting a margarita, but a lesson and recipe, I sauntered up to the pool bar. The smiling bartender, Santos, was happy to oblige.  I requested a mango margarita made like a Cadillac margarita with Grand Marnier. It was hit.

Sweet mango puree, citrusy lime juice, good tequila plus the famous bitter orange cognac flavor of Grand Marnier all blended with ice.  Instead of just salt or sugar on the rim, Santos used a special Mexican red chile-lime-salt blend called Tajin. The Tajin really added a special kick as well as beautiful color to the rim. Find it online from Mexgrocer and Amazon, or substitute coarse salt as for regular margaritas.

A margarita lesson and recipe with the chili lime salt blend, Tajin

Blend with ice in a blender (a Vitamix makes it easy and fast), pour into a tall glass and enjoy a taste of the Mexican Caribbean. We will definitely be making these at home while we read up on the adventures of all of our new friends from Food Blog Camp. Click on their links below for some good reading. You will be glad you did. What a week!

Pathway at the Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Mango Grand Marnier Margaritas & Food Blog Camp 2011, Cancun

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I watched the bartender make this and had to estimate some of the quantities that he poured. Adjust with additional mango puree, lime juice, or simple syrup to get the flavors just right for you. For the mango puree, purchase frozen mango chunks, thaw, and puree in the blender until smooth. Simple syrup is just equal amounts of water and granulated sugar simmered until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cool before using and refrigerate after use.

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 shots (3 ounces) good tequila such as Don Julio Reposado
2 shots (3 ounces) Grand Marnier liqueur
6-8 ounces mango puree
4 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice, divided use
Simple syrup, to taste for sweetness (equal amount water and sugar boiled together until sugar dissolves, cooled)
Ice, about 2-3 cups
Tajin or coarse salt to rim glasses if desired

Directions

If rimming the glasses in spice blend or with salt, place half of the lime juice in a saucer and add a little water. Dip rim of glasses into the water-lime mixture, then into salt or spice blend. Set aside.

To make margaritas, place tequila, Grand Marnier, mango puree, the rest of the lime juice, and ice. Whirl until smooth. Add simple syrup to taste and adjust sweetness to your preference.

A note on blenders – A Vitamix makes fast and easy margaritas.

Pour into prepared glasses and enjoy.

Food Blogger Camp 2011 (David Lebovitz)

Food Blog Camp – Cancun (What’s Gaby Cooking?)

10 Lessons From Food Blog Camp 2011 (Food Woolf)

What I learned… Food Blogger Camp 2011 (A Communal Table)

Food Blog Camp 2011 & Dancing Video (The White On Rice Couple)

Food Blogger Camp 2011 (Kitchen Corners)

Food Blog Camp 2011 in Mexico (Matt Bites)

Food Blogger Camp Riviera Maya (Family Fresh Cooking)

Food Blog Camp 2011 (Deliciously Organic)

Food blogger camp: Overview (The Recipe Renovator)

Food Blog Camp: Seeing the Light (The Confections of a Foodie Bride)

Food Blog Camp: Hello from Mexico! (Daily Nibbles)

Community Across the Globe-Food Blog Camp 2011 (The Urban Baker)

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• Five Minute Fresh Green Beans
• Healthy Protein Smoothies
• Pineapple Mango Salsa: A Taste of the Tropics
• Roast Pork Tenderloin with Maple Grand Marnier Glaze
• Southwestern Black Bean Salad