I was in Nashville, Tennessee a few weeks ago, home of country music and anything southern (you know– sweet tea, beautiful acre lot yards, billboard signs that have the wait time of the ER?) and I was blown away. It was beautiful with the lush greenery and rolling hills, the rich blooms of hydrangeas paired with the sweet smells of magnolias, it’s hard to imagine that just a few months ago this entire city was under water.
Thankfully, Nashville cleans up quite well — with a strong community connection, the city was able to jump back on its feet in no time, truly impressive. I was actually there to photograph one of my good friend’s wedding and truly regret not coming to this beautiful city sooner. She had a splendid rehearsal dinner thrown at her fiance’s (now husband) parents’ house, the settings were so perfect it looked like the entire party came out of a Martha Stewart magazine (divine!).
They had a bartender mixing delicious drinks and cocktails, I of course had to steer clear of the alcoholic drinks or else the pictures would’ve came out slightly skewed or maybe even a little…blurry? 
So the bartender offered me a glass of Mango Lemonade that not only quenched my thirst but instantaneously boosted my spirits.
The combination was incredible — with the bright tartness of the lemons paired with the fragrant sweetness of the mangoes, it just kind of brought you into this tropical southern heaven. One that frankly I didn’t want to leave from…so what other choice did I have but to recreate it at home? Results? Highly successful
If you prefer your lemonade to be more tart, feel free to increase the lemon juice to 2 cups. Also if the mango puree makes the lemonade a little thick just add additional water to thin it out. Other than that, stay cool and hydrated this summer — make a batch and take it to the pool to share with friends or maybe even to a bbq for 4th of July! Just remember, sharing is caring and this drink will bring a smile to anyone’s face (unless you’re allergic to mangoes or lemons)…
Ingredients for Mango Lemonade: (makes 10 x 8oz servings)
- 1 3/4 cups white sugar (you may substitute half the sugar for honey)
- 8 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups lemon juice
- 3 mangoes, peeled and pitted
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. Puree the mangoes using a blender or hand-held blender and strain through sieve to remove any fibers, set aside.
Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. In a pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice, mango puree and remaining 7 cups water. Serve immediately chilled or on ice. (You can also freeze them in ice cube trays and make a mango lemonade slushie!)
p.s. In order to make this Mango Lemonade “Southern Style” simply enjoy a tall glass sitting on your rocking chair either in your front and back porch, watching the sunset and enjoying the light summer breeze, repeat until you’ve reach desired level of relaxation.
80 Comments
I recently had a delicious strawberry-lemonade and realized I should make these at home. What a nice surprise to find another tropical lemonade idea. Great photos, as always. It’s in the low 70′s where I live, but I’d still love to sip on these and pretend I’m in the tropics. Great recipe!
Thanks so much Debby — this will definitely take you into the tropics for sure
I love how you set up for the party. Could I come? Great recipe. I actually have an abandance of mangos in my house and I may make some.
MMMmm! You are so lucky, mangoes are my favorite
Thanks for the kind words
This sounds awesome and your photos are beautiful! Now that I live in So Cal, one of the things I miss the most about the midwest is the lush greenery… *sigh* nostalgia.
Aw! Socal is beautiful too!! But yes the lush greenery is definitely a scenery you never want to leave from, it’s beautiful!
What a great idea!
Thank you Lynn
!
This would go over very well in my house with three little girls.
Aw Steve I hope your princesses love it
What a beautiful drink, looks so refreshing!
Thank you so much
Oh another one of your delicious drinks! what a rich color you managed to capture. Hmmm I adore mangos (unfortunately I just ate the last one), I am always looking for great drink ideas for my parties and this is just perfect. No worries Joy about the package, you’re so sweet, will let you know as soon as it arrives, thanks so much again!
Silvia thank you for your kind words
I hope you enjoyed the package!
How did your wedding captures turn out? You took some beautiful pics here of the set-up and this quenching mango lemonade! Sounds like good stuff, I can almost taste it.
Thank you so much Cristina! I posted a link under my “Sense of Purpose” post
I’d love for you to check them out whenever you get the chance
I absolutely love mangoes! Both the pictures and the recipe look amazing and I’m going to have to try this recipe next time we pick up a few mangoes.
Thank you so much Brian
Mangoes are the best!
magnificent pics for a perfect drink!very creative and talented!
Alison you are too kind
Thank you for your words!
That drinks looks good enough to sip through the computer screen. A must try!
hahaha thank you Lisa!!
Oh my, I wanna come over right away! This kind of drinks sound so tempting. I’ll have to make some soon. You’re just so creative, Joy! Hope you’re having a wonderful day.
Cheers, Kristy
Thank you Kristy you are the sweetest!!!
Oh, wow this mango lemonade sounds so refreshing and delicious!
Thank you Camala
!
That leaf in front of the glass looks like a pair of green lips smiling!
hahahaha!!! They really do
thanks for pointing that out!
The perfect antidote for the heat. And I vote for Southern-style any day. I wish I could spend every day lazing in a rocking chair on a peaceful porch.
Carolyn I am totally there with you. If only there was a job that entitled sipping lemonade while sitting in a rocking chair on a cool shady porch — I guess that’s called retirement…rats I still have a few years ahead of me
The mango lemonade sounds like a great combination and it looks so refreshing! This is perfect for 4th of July weekend.
Thank you so much Marisa!
Sounds so delicious, you’re making my mouth water! Love your pics, they are amazing.
Amanda thank you for your kind words!!
This sounds refreshing! I already loved your limeades, and now I will have to try this!
Alta you are too sweet
Thank you, I hope you enjoy the mango!
we’ve just finished a whole pack of mango soda drinks which supposed to be some new products of one local grocery store here in canada.
we thought it tasted just ok. and i can definitely tell your mango lemonade would be so much better.
Aw lululu! Thank you so much
Mango soda definitely sounds interesting I have to say!
I love making lemonade at home and adding in mango is a genius idea! I love the pictures in your post..everything looks so pretty!
Thank you!! I definitely could never tire of lemonade, it doesnt get anymore refreshing than that
Joy, your photos are just gorgeous! Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Nashville. Oye, and this drink…well, it sounds divine!!
Thank you Natalie!! Nashville is definitely great, I am determined to have a house there to retire in
what a beautiful place to have a rehearsal dinner! Are you going to start posting up your wedding photos soon?
Thank you so much! I posted a couple in my “sense of purpose” post but I will post up more once I am finished editing all the pictures
It was so much fun!
I’m always looking for new ways to make refreshing summer drinks. So glad you shared this one!
Thanks so much, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did
YUM-ME!
What a fab idea! I am sure anything with mango in it is a must try!
Gorgeous photos!
Thank you so much Sneige!! You are right about mangoes, they are fabulous in just about anything
Joy, wow this sounds so delicious and fresh too! Next time mangoes are in season I’ll have to make sure I make this! Great recipe.
Thanks so much Michelle! It definitely is refreshing on a hot summer day
Joy:
My recipe for Mango Lemonade .
3 Large ripe Mangos
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Tbs Rose’s Lime Juice
2 1/2 Cups Water
1 Cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice (about 6 lemons)
1) Peel Mangos and cut the flesh from around the pit. Chop coarsely and place in a food processor or blender. Pour the sugar over the Mangos, add lime juice, and process until smooth.
2) Pour the mango puree into a 1 1′/2 quart container. Stir in water and lemon juice. Chill & serve over ice.
The water in this recipe can be replace by Sparkling Water, Club Soda, or Fruity White Wine.
If you love the sSouth and you love to cook, I recommend the book “Being Dead is No Excuse” (The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral) VERY funny, and good cooking too!
Wow Marie that sounds like an EXCELLENT recipe. I love that Rose’s Lime Juice — thanks for this I will try it today actually
I just made lavender and ginger simple syrups today with lemonade and other drinks in mind. The ginger would go great in a mango lemonade. I think the holiday weekend demands it!
Jason
OMG LAVENDER SYRUP?! That sounds amazing, are you sure you don’t have wings? It’d be awesome if you could fly to dallas to drop me off a batch
mangoes is one of my favourite fruit. I have it almost everyday in summer.
omg Penny ME TOO. I always get sad when mango season is over
What a great twist on lemonade! I make lemonade regularly because I make lemon iced cubes (we have a lemon tree that produces a lot of fruit)! Thanks for sharing.
Nirmala that sounds amazing! What a good idea, I think I will make lemon ice cubes on my next picnic
This sounds so good and really refreshing. It looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing, I’ll be trying it soon.
Thanks so much I hope you enjoy it
This sounds incredible, Joy! I adore mango and fresh lemonade – the combination sounds heavenly. Your friend is lucky to have had you as her photographer!
Aw Laura you are so kind (as always). Thank you very much for your sweet words
Hi Joy, just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your photographs and blog, your mango lemonade looks so amazing!
Patty thank you for that, you made me smile
I’m going to have to make this for my family. It just looks and sounds so refreshing! Thanks for the great post
Thank you Kris, I hope your family enjoys it!!
superb…
Thank you Abraham!!
Sounds like a perfect summer drink…And I love your mango guy:)
Hahaha! Thanks so much — Collin told me it looked like the mango was on some sort of substance due to its enlarged uneven pupils and eerily excited expression hahaha I thought it was cute, thanks for agreeing
!
I know I posted a comment already, but I loved this post so much, I included it in my Friday Link Love.
http://onecookandtwochefs.blogspot.com/2010/07/moldy-garlic-sometimes-life-throws.html
Kris you make me smile!
What a perfect summer drink, would be great for a BBQ!
Ah my thoughts exactly Debbie!! BBQ is what I love spending my summer doing — that and lounging by the pool
I love a fruit flavored lemonade, but have never used mango for such a drink before. What a great idea! I will definitely have to try this one…thanks for sharing!
Fruit flavored lemonades are the best!!! Hope you enjoy the Mango
So I got here through Confabulicious, and LOVED your site and photography. I’m running a little “link party” over at my skincare/haircare blog focusing on mangoes, and when I found this, I knew I absolutely had to invite you to come join in on the fun.
This is just … outstanding. Refreshing. The perfect summer drink.
Ok, so you’re a photographer, that explains the absolutely beautiful pictures in your blog. I also have an abundance of mangoes to use up and this simple recipe is so welcomed down here in South Florida now that it’s almost 100 degrees every day.
I really enjoy your posts.
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