Mangos are a coveted fruit in our house.  I don’t buy them that often, because for some reason I am the subject matter expert when it comes to cutting a mango – and to tell you the truth, it stresses me out. I hate to waste food, and I can never seem to get all the good mango around the pit without seeming like I am leaving a lot of good fruit.  In the scheme of things, if that is what I am getting stressed out about, I am pretty darn lucky.  Too bad that’s not the only thing…

So – this weekend, I had three beautifully ripe champagne mangos sitting in the fruit basket, staring at me.  I swear they were calling to me, and the cucumber vodka I had just bought in the liquor cabinet – that started chiming in as well.  I knew what I had to do.  So – I looked around the kitchen while thinking about a recipe I saw in Cooking Light the other week (Champagne Mango Margaritas), and decided to go my own route.  Basically you can’t go wrong with deliciously ripe mangos.  I made a virgin batch for my kids first, and they were hooked.  The next batch was for my husband and I, and wow…that’s just about all I can say…wow (who knows what that’s from???).  What an awesome drink.  The cucumber vodka gave it this flavor like I was in a spring meadow, the wind whipping through my hair…ok, I have no idea where I am going with this, but it was one of the best cocktails I have ever made.

So – how did it get its name?  I was looking for the pictures I took tonight, and my phone syncs wireless with my computer, and to my files on the cloud (what an awesome phone I have).  When it syncs, it gives me a little notice that new files were loaded – so I clicked on the program, and it showed me one of the pictures – and put a title on the photo with the folder name.  I named the folder “Mango Martini” – but for some reason it cut off the last two letters – so I had a picture called Mango Marti.  I burst out laughing – my husband asked if I named the drink after my long-lost friend “Marti” – I said who?  Then he proceeded to make up this story about my long-lost friend (that doesn’t exist), and how I created this drink in honor of him.  So – there it is, our Mango Marti, best drink ever.  Here’s to you Marti!!

Ingredients

• 3  Champagne mangoes, peeled, seeded, chopped, and frozen (about 3 cups)
• 1/2 cup cucumber vodka
• 1/4 cup mango nectar
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup Triple Sec
• 1 cup ice