Jasmine Mango

I just returned from a trip to Costa Rica and I’m definitely inspired by tropical flavors. I always wonder how to add more ommph to a drink that is not more sugar or more sour, something to round out the body with more flavor and essence. And I found my new favorite ingredient to make mocktails more complex: TEA! Tea has the perfect body to smooth drinks out and give a delicate but bitter and tannic flavor. Plus we know how good tea is for us, especially green tea. Why not swap out the most toxic ingredient in a drink and replace it with antioxidant-boosting tea? Makes happy hour so much healthier.

Recipe:

3 oz jasmine green tea, steeped

3 oz mango juice

1 tablespoon cayenne simple syrup

Juice of half a lemon

Splash of sparking water, cilantro or mint for garnish

Add tea, lemon juice, mango juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake it up! Pour into a glass, add a splash of sparkling water, and cilantro or mint for garnish. 

Cayenne simple syrup recipe:

½ cup sugar 

½ cup water 

2 teaspoons cayenne powder

Boil water, add sugar and whisk until dissolved. Add cayenne and mix. Let cool overnight, and strain into a bottle or jar.