Sweet, golden and silky, mango juice is one of the most loved fruit drinks in the world. From street stalls in South Asia to breakfast tables across the U.S., it is a taste of pure summer. With this mango juice recipe, you can make it fresh at home in about 10 minutes.
You only need ripe mangoes, cold water and a blender. You’ll find how to pick the best mangoes, how to cut a mango quickly, how to make mango juice in a blender or juicer, how to make it thick or thin, tasty blends, nutrition facts and storage tips.
To make mango juice, peel two large ripe mangoes, cut the flesh away from the pit and blend it with 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cold water, a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt until smooth. Strain it for a thin juice or serve it as is for a thick nectar. Ataulfo and Kent mangoes make the smoothest, sweetest juice, and most ripe mangoes need no added sugar.
Contents
- Why You Will Love Homemade Mango Juice
- Mango Juice Recipe
- Can You Make Mango Juice in a Juicer?
- Best Mangoes for Juice
- How to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe
- How to Cut a Mango Quickly
- Thick vs Thin Mango Juice
- Tasty Mango Juice Variations
- Mango Juice Nutrition
- How to Store Mango Juice
- Mango Juice vs Mango Lassi vs Mango Smoothie
- Mango Juice Party Ideas
- Using Leftover Mango Pulp and Pit
- Avoid These Slip-Ups
- Mango Juice Nutrition at a Glance
- When Are Mangoes in Season?
- How Much Mango Do You Need?
- Mango Juice With a Juicer: Step by Step
- Mango Juice for Kids
- Quick Mango Juice Tips
- FAQs
- Wrapping Up
Why You Will Love Homemade Mango Juice
- Only 2 to 3 ingredients
- Ready in about 10 minutes
- No added sugar needed with ripe mangoes
- Thick or thin, your choice
- Kid-friendly and great for parties
Mango Juice Recipe
Most people get this part of a mango juice recipe wrong at first.
Ingredients (Makes 2 to 3 Glasses)
- 2 large ripe mangoes (about 2 cups of flesh)
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups cold water (more for thinner juice)
- Juice of 1/2 lime (optional, adds brightness)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 to 2 tsp honey or sugar (only if your mangoes are not sweet)
- Ice for serving
Instructions
- Wash the mangoes under running water.
- Peel and cut. Remove the skin and slice the flesh away from the large, flat pit.
- Blend. Add the mango flesh, water, lime juice and salt to a blender.
- Blend on high for 45 to 60 seconds until completely smooth.
- Adjust thickness. Add more water for thinner juice.
- Strain (optional). For a thin, smooth juice, pour through a fine mesh strainer.
- Serve over ice.
Ripe mangoes need almost nothing added. Taste before you sweeten.
Can You Make Mango Juice in a Juicer?
This matters more than you might think for a good mango juice recipe.
Mangoes are soft and pulpy, so they do not juice as well as firm fruits. A masticating juicer can handle ripe mango, but you will get a thick nectar and may need to push it through slowly. Many people get better results by:
- Blending mango with water, then straining.
- Juicing mango together with firmer fruits like apples, oranges or pineapple.
If you love fruit nectars, the blender method is easier and faster.
Best Mangoes for Juice
| Variety | Flavor | Fiber | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ataulfo (honey mango) | Very sweet, rich | Very low | Top pick for smooth juice |
| Kent | Sweet, juicy | Low | Great for juice and nectar |
| Keitt | Sweet-tart | Low | Stays green when ripe |
| Tommy Atkins | Mild | Higher | Common in U.S. stores |
| Haden | Rich, aromatic | Medium | Good flavor, some fibers |
| Alphonso and Chaunsa | Very sweet, intense | Low | Famous South Asian varieties, often sold seasonally |
Tip: If you use a stringy variety, strain the juice to remove fibers.
How to Tell if a Mango Is Ripe
- Squeeze gently. A ripe mango gives slightly, like a ripe peach.
- Smell the stem end. It should smell sweet and fruity.
- Do not judge by color alone. Some ripe mangoes stay green.
- Avoid wrinkly or very soft mangoes with dark spots.
To ripen mangoes faster, keep them at room temperature in a paper bag. Once ripe, store them in the fridge for a few days. Read our guide on how to tell if a mango is bad.
How to Cut a Mango Quickly
- Stand the mango on its stem end.
- Slice down on each side of the flat pit to get two “cheeks.”
- Score each cheek in a grid without cutting through the skin.
- Push the skin up so the cubes pop out, then slice them off.
- Cut the remaining flesh from around the pit.
Thick vs Thin Mango Juice
| Style | Water per 2 cups mango | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Mango nectar (thick) | 1/2 to 3/4 cup | Smooth, rich, almost like a smoothie |
| Classic mango juice | 1 to 1 1/2 cups | Pourable, light |
| Light mango drink | 2 cups + strain | Thin, refreshing |
Tasty Mango Juice Variations
Mango Pineapple Juice
Blend 1 mango with 1 cup pineapple and 1/2 cup water. Tropical and tangy. Try our pineapple juice recipe and pineapple mango juice.
Mango Orange Juice
Blend 1 mango with 1 cup fresh orange juice. See our orange juice recipe.
Mango Lime Mint Cooler
Blend mango with water, lime and mint. Strain and top with sparkling water.
Mango Ginger Juice
Add a 1/2-inch piece of ginger before blending for a warm kick.
Mango Coconut Juice
Use coconut water instead of plain water. Light and hydrating.
Mango Carrot Juice
Blend mango with fresh carrot juice for a sweet, vibrant drink.
Spiced Mango Juice
Add a pinch of cardamom or a little black salt. This is popular in South Asian homes.
Mango Juice Nutrition
Mangoes are rich in vitamin C and provide vitamin A (from beta-carotene), folate and fiber. When you blend them without straining, you keep more of the fiber. You can find detailed nutrition data in USDA FoodData Central.
Mango juice is naturally high in sugar, so it is best enjoyed in moderation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend getting most of your fruit from whole fruit. Learn more about vitamin C from the NIH.
Allergy note: Mango skin contains urushiol, the same compound found in poison ivy. People who are sensitive may get a rash from handling the skin. Wear gloves if needed.
How to Store Mango Juice
- Fridge: Store in a sealed glass bottle for up to 1 to 2 days. Shake before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze in ice cube trays or freezer-safe jars for up to 3 months.
- Popsicles: Pour mango juice into molds for easy summer treats.
- Frozen mango: You can also make juice from frozen mango chunks. Blend with cold water and serve right away.
Mango Juice vs Mango Lassi vs Mango Smoothie
| Drink | Main ingredients | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Mango juice | Mango, water, lime | Thin to medium |
| Mango lassi | Mango, yogurt, milk, cardamom | Creamy |
| Mango smoothie | Mango, banana, milk or yogurt, ice | Thick |
Try our mango pineapple smoothie recipe for a thicker option.
Mango Juice Party Ideas
- Mango juice bar: Set out mango juice with lime wedges, mint, sparkling water and chili-lime seasoning for a fun twist.
- Mango popsicles: Freeze juice with small mango cubes inside.
- Mango iced tea: Mix equal parts mango juice and cold black or green tea.
- Mango lemonade: Mix mango juice with fresh lemonade.
Using Leftover Mango Pulp and Pit
- Stir pulp into yogurt, oatmeal or smoothies.
- Bake into mango muffins or bread.
- Scrape the flesh off the pit with a spoon and enjoy it as a snack.
- Freeze leftover pulp for later.
Avoid These Slip-Ups
- Using unripe mangoes. The juice will be sour and starchy.
- Adding too much water. It dilutes the flavor. Add a little at a time.
- Skipping the strain with stringy mangoes. Fibers can be unpleasant.
- Adding sugar before tasting. Ripe mangoes are very sweet.
- Storing it too long. Fresh mango juice tastes best within a day.
Mango Juice Nutrition at a Glance
Here is roughly what you get in 1 cup (8 oz) of homemade mango juice made with water. Values change with the mango and how much water you add. Check USDA FoodData Central for exact data.
| Nutrient | Approximate amount per cup |
|---|---|
| Calories | About 100 to 130 |
| Natural sugar | About 22 to 28 g |
| Vitamin C | A good source |
| Vitamin A (from beta-carotene) | A good source |
| Fiber | 1 to 2 g if not strained |
Blending without straining keeps more fiber, which helps the juice feel more filling.
When Are Mangoes in Season?
In U.S. stores, mangoes are available year-round because they are imported from Mexico, Central and South America and other regions. Peak supply and the best prices usually come in spring and summer. Ataulfo mangoes are often best from about March to July. Kent and Keitt mangoes are common in summer.
If fresh mangoes are not great, frozen mango chunks make excellent juice.
How Much Mango Do You Need?
| Juice amount | Ripe mangoes | Approx. mango flesh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 glass | 1 large | About 1 cup |
| 2 to 3 glasses | 2 large | About 2 cups |
| 1 pitcher (6 to 8 glasses) | 5 to 6 large | About 5 to 6 cups |
Mango Juice With a Juicer: Step by Step
If you prefer to use a juicer, follow these steps for the best result:
- Choose ripe but firm mangoes so they hold together in the chute.
- Peel and cut the flesh into chunks, removing the pit.
- Use a slow (masticating) juicer if you have one.
- Feed mango chunks slowly, alternating with firmer fruit like apple, orange segments or pineapple.
- Stir the thick juice and add a little cold water or coconut water to thin it.
- Serve right away.
A juicer gives a smooth, thick nectar. If it clogs, stop, clear the screen and continue more slowly.
Mango Juice for Kids
Kids usually love the sweet taste and bright color of mango juice. Serve 4-ounce portions, use a little extra water to lighten it and try mango juice popsicles on hot days. You can also blend in a few carrots or a handful of spinach for a hidden veggie boost.
Quick Mango Juice Tips
- Taste your mango first; very sweet mangoes need no added sugar.
- Add water slowly until you reach the thickness you like.
- A pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime make the flavor pop.
- Chill the mango before blending for colder juice.
- Strain stringy varieties for silky juice.
FAQs
How do you make mango juice at home?
Peel and cut 2 ripe mangoes, blend the flesh with 1 to 1 1/2 cups cold water and a squeeze of lime, then strain if you want thinner juice. Serve over ice.
Can I make mango juice with frozen mango?
Yes. Blend frozen mango chunks with cold water. You may need a little more water, and the juice will be extra cold and thick.
Do I need to add sugar to mango juice?
Usually not. Ripe mangoes are naturally sweet. Taste the juice first and add a little honey only if needed.
Can I use a juicer for mango?
You can, but mangoes are soft, so a juicer makes a thick nectar. Blending and straining is easier for most people.
How long does homemade mango juice last?
Homemade mango juice keeps for about 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Freeze it for longer storage.
Which mango is best for juice?
Ataulfo (honey) and Kent mangoes are top choices because they are sweet, juicy and low in fiber.
Wrapping Up
This mango juice recipe is quick, flexible and naturally sweet. Pick ripe Ataulfo or Kent mangoes, blend them with cold water and a splash of lime, and strain if you want a lighter drink. Try the mango pineapple or mango lime mint version for a fun twist.
Make a pitcher for your next hot afternoon. For more tropical drinks, explore our pineapple juice recipe or our full collection of juicer recipes.
