Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (2024)

Why It Works

  • Mango pits and peels contain enough water to dissolve up to half their weight in sugar, imparting a strong flavor and vivid color without any added juice, flavoring, or dye.
  • A citrus rind helps balance the creamy sweetness of the mango syrup.
  • Nonreactive equipment keeps the syrup's flavor clean and fresh.

One of the best things about working for Serious Eats is the chance to chat with other bakers onTwitter; folks who have the time and curiosity to tinker with my recipes and share their results. Sometimes these interactions illustrate the risks of cavalier substitution, but just as often they prove how imaginatively recipes can adapt and grow once they're released into the wild.

Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (1)

Take myfresh lemon syrup, for example. In the original recipe, I use sugar and a little patience to extract residual lemon juice and essential oils from lemon carcasses (the empty husk leftover from juicing a lemon, with or without zest) to make a no-cook syrup without any added water. This keeps the lemon's flavor bright, clean, and concentrated. It works just as well with limes, oranges, and grapefruit, but asone fruit-loving readerpointed out, the same technique can also be applied to mango pits.

Making Syrup out of Mango Pits and Peels

It seems obvious in retrospect: mango pits (and peels, for that matter) are a "waste" product loaded with moisture, but I'd never considered handling them the same way as I docitrus fruits. So when mango season rolled around, that idea shot to the top of my to-do list. My first attempt with mango pits was a fantastic proof of concept, producing a syrup so thick and mellow it bordered on creamy. Round two saw it much improved thanks to the inclusion of mango skins and their piney aroma. Subsequent rounds were all about playing with the inclusion of leftover citrus rinds in varying amounts to help cut through the mango's natural sweetness.

Ultimately, I found that for every pound of assorted mango pits and peels, I needed a quartered lemon or lime carcass along with a half-pound of sugar. I like plain white sugar to create a more neutral syrup, but palm sugar would be a natural choice for those inclined to bring some smoky complexity to the mix. With those ingredients all sussed out, the method is simple.

Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (2)

Combine the mango pits, peels, and lemon rind, and toss them with sugar, letting the mixture stand at room temperature until the sugar has completely dissolved. If you bother to toss and stir the mixture from time to time, it can take just four hours; for a more passive extraction (and my preferred method, out of sheer laziness), you can just cover the bowl and leave it out overnight.

When the sugar disappears into a syrupy sauce, transfer the mango- and citrus-waste to a non-reactive sieve and let the syrup drain into a bowl. Press and smash the mixture with a spatula to release any syrup trapped in the peels and rinds. The recipe should yield about a cup of syrup, although the specifics will vary depending on the juiciness of the fruit itself and how thoroughly it's drained in the end.

Due to its lower acidity, this syrup won't keep as long as its lemon-centric counterpart, but in a glass bottle or jar, it'll still hold up nicely for a week or two in the fridge (avoid plastic containers, which may harbor funky odors the syrup can draw out over time). If you need it to last a little longer, just pop it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it instead.

Using Mango Syrup

Mango syrup can be used in all the same recipes on Serious Eats that call for my lemon or lime syrup—as a sweetener forchantillyandcandied pistachios, or as a tropical twist on mylemon poppyseed dressing. It's also a breath of fresh air poured over waffles and French toast.

Truth be told, I love it best as a simple soda. Just pour an ounce of the mango syrup into a tall glass of ice, then top it off with club soda to taste.

Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (4)

What starts out as a beautifully layered drink will turn into an opaque mango soda by the time you stir in a shot of gin.

Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (5)

As with my lemon syrup, the "recipe" serves mostly as a guideline and can be easily scaled up or down according to how many mango scraps you have on hand. Or, if you're the sort of person who only snacks on a mango from time to time, stash the pit and peel in the freezer until you build up a large enough stockpile to justify a batch of syrup.

It's a fun and thrifty way to get the most out of mangoes while they're in season, and a great change of pace from traditional simple syrup in co*cktails and iced tea. If you're inclined to spice things up, toss in a handful of cilantro or some pieces of sliced ginger to add yet another layer of flavor—and please, if you happen upon a great new combination, please share with the class.

April 2018

Recipe Details

Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe

Active10 mins

Total4 hrs

Serves8 servings

Makes1 cup

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces (453g) mango pits and peels, from 4 to 8 mangos depending on type and size

  • 1 lemon rind, juice and zest reserved for another project (about 2 ounces; 55g)

  • 8 ounces plain white sugar, or a raw to semi-refined sugar such as jaggery, turbinado, or palm (about 1 heaping cup; 225g)

Directions

  1. Combine mango pits and peels with the lemon rind and sugar in a large glass, ceramic, or stainless steel mixing bowl. Toss to combine, then cover tightly and let stand at room temperature, stirring once every 45 minutes or so, until sugar has completely dissolved, about 4 hours. Alternatively, cover bowl and set out overnight (between 8 and 12 hours) for same result.

    Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (6)

  2. Transfer to a stainless steel strainer set over a nonreactive bowl, pressing gently on the peels and pits with a flexible spatula in order to extract as much syrup as possible. Refrigerate syrup for up to 2 weeks in a glass bottle or half-pint jar. Serve over ice with club soda as a sparkling beverage, or use in place of lemon syrup in recipes such as lemon chantilly, candied pistachios, and lemon poppyseed dressing.

    Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (7)

Special Equipment

Flexible spatula, non-reactive sieve

Fresh Mango Syrup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to preserve mangoes in syrup? ›

Freezing mangoes in simple syrup

Bring it to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the sugar is dissolved, set the syrup aside to cool. Slice the mangoes into chunks and place them in freezer-safe containers. Pour in the cooled syrup so it covers the mangoes (but don't fill the container all the way).

What is mango syrup made of? ›

It's about as thick a pure maple syrup, may be a touch thinner. I wanted to just keep it simple, with just mango fruit, sugar, water and a bit of vanilla extract. There is a nice bonus that comes with making syrups with fresh fruit and it's the “meat” of the fruit that is left over after straining the syrup.

Why is my homemade simple syrup not thickening? ›

Pour the syrup into a saucepan, then turn the burner on low. Bring the sauce to a low simmer and let it sit for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn't burn. Leave the lid off so that some of the liquid can evaporate, which is what will cause the syrup to thicken.

How long does fresh mango last in the fridge? ›

Title. Once ripe, mangos should be moved to the refrigerator, which will slow down the ripening process. Whole, ripe mangos may be stored for up to five days in the refrigerator.

How to preserve raw mangoes for a long time? ›

Put them in a zip lock bag or a regular plastic cover. Fold the cover and store in an air tight container. Keep this container in the fridge. The mangoes will be fresh for up to a year if stored like this.

How do you make fruit syrup to preserve? ›

Make a light syrup by dissolving 1 cup of sugar in 3 cups of hot water in a large saucepan or preserving pan. Bring to boil and then boil for a few minutes. This should be enough for several large jars. Note: you can adjust the sugar ratio to determine the strength of the syrup.

What is the shelf life of mango syrup? ›

Shelf Life:12 months Storage method:Please keep in a cool and dry place.

How long does homemade fruit syrup last? ›

A traditional syrup has a 1-to-1 ratio and will last for about a month with basic refrigeration. However, if you make a rich syrup by increasing the sugar to water ratio to 2-to-1, you can increase this time frame significantly. It can be expected to last for about six months in the fridge.

What flavors go well with mango? ›

Sweets that pair perfectly with mango are coconut, cream, peach, pineapple, and banana. If you're looking to spice things up, you can also use mango in conjunction with lemon, lime, onion, and avocado.

Can you over boil simple syrup? ›

Don't bring the water to a boil.

The water should be hot enough to dissolve the sugar completely, but you don't want to boil simple syrup for too long (or you'll end up with caramel).

How do you keep simple syrup from hardening? ›

Keep your mixture at medium heat when mixing it in a saucepan on the stovetop. It doesn't need to boil. Using distilled water helps crystals from forming, however crystallization still happens if the simple syrup is placed in the fridge or if the 2 parts water to 1 part sweetener ratio isn't followed.

How to tell if simple syrup is done? ›

By the time the edges start to simmer, the liquid should be completely clear, not cloudy. Immediately remove from the heat source. Add flavor. If you are making infused simple syrups, this is the time to add the extra ingredients.

Why shouldn't mangoes be refrigerated? ›

Watermelon, pineapple and mangoes are among a number of in-season fruits that should stay in your fruit bowl before being cut. “Tropical fruits are best to keep out of the fridge because they are quite sensitive to chill, so putting them in the fridge is going to affect their quality,” Parker tells SBS.

Can you freeze fresh mango? ›

Yes, you can absolutely freeze mangoes. In fact, they are one of the fruits that freeze exceptionally well. To properly freeze a mango, wait until it's ripe and then follow the steps below: Peel the ripe mango and cut it into slices or cubes.

How do you preserve mangoes in syrup? ›

Prepare a light to medium syrup and bring to a boil. Peel and slice mangoes. Cook mango slices 2 minutes in boiling syrup. Pack hot slices into hot jars leaving ½ inch headspace.

Which method is used to preserve mangoes? ›

Salting: Different methods are present for the preservation of food materials like heating, freezing etc. Chemical preservation techniques like salting is used for the preservation of raw mangoes and tamarind. The shelf life of the food is increased by salt and therefore can be used for longer duration.

Does simple syrup preserve fruit? ›

Liquids used to can fruit

The sweet syrup doesn't preserve the fruit but helps the fruit maintain its shape, color and flavor.

How do you preserve mangoes in sugar? ›

All-time purée: For the purée, take firm yet ripe mangoes. Peel and chop them, blitz them in a food processor with sugar. Let it cool at room temperature, then transfer to airtight containers. Sugar acts as a preservative and allows you to scoop out the required portion once it is frozen.

How do you preserve fresh cut mangoes? ›

Luckily, you can store peeled and sliced (or cubed) mangoes inside an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for about a week. Just give your sliced or cubed mango a sniff before you eat it, as it may have gone bad.

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