Strawberry Mango Limonata

Minerva's Hand's Note:

So about a month ago, we celebrated our daughter’s first birthday! A Mother Goose-themed party, I had to have something for "Jack and Jill" to contribute to the party. I didn’t want plain water, and I didn’t sparkling water. But I did I have some San Pelligrino Limonata (fizzy lemonade) in my stockpile! I ran an extensive search online for drinks using Limonata, but couldn't find much that wasn't alcoholic. I kept reading about people asking for Strawberry Mango Limonata recipes, though. It is apparently a very popular drink at The Olive Garden. I figured, what the heck? "Jack and Jill" probably went up the hill to get water and berries for their mom's lemonade anyway! Well, I can’t vouch that my version is anywhere similar to the Olive Garden version (since I've never had it) but I like it (and so did our guests, young and old). Hope you enjoy it, too!

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 16 ounces frozen strawberries, thawed
• 16 ounces frozen mangoes, thawed
• 1/2-1 cup sugar, depending on your preference
• 6 (11 1/4 ounce) cans chilled lemon italian soda (San Pelligrino Limonata)

Directions:

1. In a large blender, blend the thawed fruit together until smooth.
2. Stop the blender and add the sugar, a little at a time, tasting every now and then until the fruit is to your desired sweetness. I like mine sweet enough to have as a topping for a dessert, but still tart enough to make a statement.
3. At this point, you can chill the fruit base for use within the next three days, or freeze into cubes for later use.
4. To assemble your drink, take a glass and half fill it with your fruit base. If you prefer your drink lemony, use less fruit; fruitier, use more.
5. Carefully pour the Limonata into the glass, stirring gently until the fruit is dissipated throughout. You won't use a whole can unless your glass is very large.
6. If you want to make the Limonata a little naughtier, add a shot of vodka.
7. Gather your friends around and enjoy this great, fruity tart drink!
8. A possible substitute for Limonata: Limonata is 16% lemon juice from concentrate. I am thinking that by mixing 2 parts lemon juice concentrate (like Tropicana, found in the freezer aisle) with 10 parts sparkling water, you should have a very close substitute.
9. Another easy substitute: use 7-Up or Sprite. If you do this, cut back on the amount of sugar you use in the fruit base, as these sodas are sweetened already. Add a little splash of lemon juice concentrate or fresh-squeeze lemon juice to each glass to make it tart.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

Although I easily have used 7-Up or some other lemon-lime soft drink, I did search around & found just what I needed ~ San Pelligrino Limonata, then made this beverage according to the recipe! A winning drink, for sure, as we both loved this fruits, bubbly treat! Many thanks for posting the recipe! [Made & reviewed for one of my adoptees in this fall's round of Pick A Chef]

[Baby Kato]

This was a terrific drink Minerva's Hand. I enjoyed this sweet, tart and tangy drink very much. I loved that you could taste both the mango and the strawberry in this treat. It was quick and very easy to make. Thanks so much for sharing with all of us. Made for Fall Pac 2011