I love it when unexpected flavor combinations work really well together. This alcohol-free mango and cucumber mule may sound a little odd, but it tastes fantastic.
Mango and lime is a classic sweet and sour pairing, but it’s the addition of the fiery ginger beer and crisp cucumber that gives this mocktail its unique japanese-inspired character.
You’ll want to skip the copper mug for this mocktail, and showcase the contrast in color between the deep orange mango puree and the bright green cucumber slices.
It’s a far cry from the traditional Moscow Mule, but all the more interesting for it.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. (60 ml) mango puree (see below)
- 1 oz. (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (approx. 1-2 limes)
- 2 inches of cucumber, peeled and chopped
- ¼ oz. (7.5 ml) honey
- 3 oz. (90 ml) ginger beer
- Ice
To garnish:
- 4 slices of cucumber
- 1 slice of lime
- Sprig of mint
For the mango puree:
- ½ ripe mango
- 1.5 oz. (45 ml) water
Equipment
- Immersion hand blender
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Muddler
- Shaker
- Cocktail spoon
- Double rocks glass
Instructions
- First, make the mango puree.
- Peel and chop the mango into pieces.
- Use an immersion hand blender to liquidize the mango, adding the water to thin the consistency a little.
- Next, assemble the mocktail.
- In a shaker, add the lime juice, honey and cucumber chunks.
- Muddle the ingredients until the cucumber has broken down into a mush.
- Add the mango puree and a handful of ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Strain into a double rocks glass.
- Garnish with cucumber slices, lime and mint.
Similar Mocktails
If you liked Cucumango, check out:
- Mango Crazy: Mango, Coconut and Chili Non-alcoholic Martini
- Miami Mule: Non-alcoholic Grapefruit and Ginger Beer Fizz
Alcohol-Free Mango and Cucumber Mule FAQ
What is an immersion hand blender?
An immersion hand blender is a handheld stick blender used to puree food items. It is useful for mocktail preparation when you only need to blend small quantities of ingredients.
Can I substitute the honey with another sweetener?
Yes, you can substitute the honey with other sweeteners like agave nectar, maple syrup, or simple syrup (1:1 parts water to sugar).
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
It is best to assemble the mocktail just before serving to keep its freshness and fizz. However, if you want to get ahead, you can make the mango puree ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to mix the drinks.
Can I use frozen mango instead of fresh mango?
Yes, you can use frozen mango instead of fresh mango, but you will need to thaw it first before you liquidize the fruit in the blender. You may find that you don’t need as much water to loosen the puree. Use your judgment to adjust the amount of water needed.
What glass should I use to serve this mocktail?
Traditionally, mule cocktails are served in copper mugs. However, this recipe recommends a double rocks glass to showcase the bright orange mango color contrasted with the cucumber garnishes. Alternatively, you could serve it in a stemmed glass or tumbler too.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This alcohol-free mango and cucumber mule recipe makes one serving.
Can I adjust the sweetness or tartness of the mocktail?
Yes, you can adjust the sweetness or tartness of the mocktail by adding more or less honey or lime juice to the drink. You could also experiment with different ginger beer brands as some are sweeter than others.
Can I use other fruits instead of mango?
Yes, you can substitute the mango for other fruits like pineapple, peach, or strawberry to make a variation on this mocktail.
What type of cucumber should I use for this recipe?
English cucumbers or seedless cucumbers are a good choice for this recipe as they have a mild and sweet flavor. However, any type of cucumber should work nicely.
Can I make this recipe into a larger batch for a party?
Yes, you can multiply the ingredients by the number of servings that you want to make to create a larger batch. Mix the ingredients in a pitcher instead of a shaker, and serve in glasses filled with ice and cucumber slices.
How do I make the cucumber slices for garnish?
Use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to slice the cucumber into thin rounds. If you like to get a little fancier, you can use a small cookie cutter to make decorative shapes too.
Is this recipe vegan?
No. If you would like to make this recipe vegan, you can substitute the honey for agave nectar.
How long does it take to make this recipe?
It takes about 10-15 minutes to make this recipe if you are creating the mango puree from scratch. However, with all of the ingredients assembled it should take less than 5 minutes to mix this alcohol-free mango and cucumber mule.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!