Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)
Quick Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup cold water (for soaking chia)
- 1 1/2 cups ripe mango pieces (about 2 small mangos or 1 large)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2–3 limes)
- 1 1/2 cups cold water or unsweetened coconut water
- 2–3 tbsp honey, agave, or simple syrup (to taste)
- Pinch of fine salt
- Ice cubes, to serve
- Optional: lime slices and extra mango chunks for garnish
Do This
- 1. In a small jar, stir 2 tbsp chia seeds with 1/2 cup cold water. Rest 10–15 minutes, shaking once or twice, until thick and gel-like.
- 2. Meanwhile, add mango, lime juice, 1 1/2 cups cold water or coconut water, sweetener, and a pinch of salt to a blender.
- 3. Blend on high for 30–45 seconds until completely smooth and silky.
- 4. Taste and adjust sweetness or lime. If too thick, blend in 1–2 tbsp more water at a time.
- 5. Fill 2 large glasses with ice. Divide the hydrated chia gel evenly between the glasses.
- 6. Pour the mango-lime mixture over the chia, stirring gently so the seeds are suspended through the drink.
- 7. Garnish with lime slices and mango chunks if you like, and serve immediately while ice-cold.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Refreshing and bright: Sweet mango and tangy lime make a tropical, thirst-quenching combo.
- Nutritious: Chia seeds add fiber, omega-3s, and a fun, tapioca-like texture.
- Simple and flexible: Uses basic ingredients, and you can adjust sweetness and thickness easily.
- Make-ahead friendly: Hydrate the chia and blend the base in advance for grab-and-go refreshers.
Grocery List
- Produce: Ripe mangos, fresh limes
- Dairy: None
- Pantry: Chia seeds, honey or agave (or sugar for simple syrup), salt, water or coconut water, ice
Full Ingredients
Mango-Lime Base
- 1 1/2 cups ripe mango pieces, fresh or thawed from frozen (about 250 g; 2 small mangos or 1 large)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (60 ml; about 2–3 limes)
- 1 1/2 cups very cold water or unsweetened coconut water (360 ml)
- 2–3 tbsp honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup, to taste
- 1 small pinch fine sea salt (about 1/16 tsp) to brighten flavors
- Ice cubes, for serving (about 1–1 1/2 cups, or as desired)
Chia Layer
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup cold water (120 ml) for soaking the chia seeds
Optional Garnishes
- 2–4 thin lime slices or wedges
- 2–4 tbsp small mango cubes
- Fresh mint sprigs (optional, but lovely and aromatic)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Soak the chia seeds until gel-like
Add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to a small jar or bowl. Pour in 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir very well, scraping the sides and bottom so no dry clumps of seeds remain. Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, stirring or shaking once or twice during that time. The chia seeds will absorb the water and form a thick, pudding-like gel with tiny, jelly-coated seeds. When ready, there should be no crunchy dry spots when you taste a few seeds. If you see any dry clusters, break them up with a spoon and give the mixture another 3–5 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the mango and lime
While the chia soaks, prep your fruit. Peel the mangos and cut the flesh away from the pit, then chop it into chunks. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of mango pieces. Juice the limes until you have 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice, straining out any seeds. If your mango is not very sweet, plan on using the higher end of the sweetener range.
Step 3: Blend the mango-lime base
Add the mango pieces, freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 1/2 cups of very cold water or coconut water, 2 tablespoons of honey or agave (start on the lower side), and a small pinch of salt to a blender. Blend on high speed for 30–45 seconds, until the mixture is completely smooth and silky, with no visible mango fibers. If your blender struggles, pause and scrape down the sides, then blend again.
Step 4: Taste and adjust sweetness and consistency
Pause and taste a spoonful of the blended mixture. If you prefer it sweeter, blend in up to 1 additional tablespoon of sweetener. For more tang, add an extra teaspoon of lime juice. To thin the drink, blend in 1–2 tablespoons of cold water at a time until it reaches your ideal sipping consistency. Keep in mind that the chia will add body, so a slightly thinner base is usually best. If you like your drinks extra cold, you can also blend in a few ice cubes.
Step 5: Chill the base briefly (optional but nice)
If your ingredients were not very cold, pour the mango-lime base into a pitcher and refrigerate for 10 minutes while the chia finishes gelling. This step is optional but makes the final refresher especially crisp and cooling, which contrasts nicely with the soft chia texture.
Step 6: Assemble the chia refresher
Fill 2 large glasses about halfway with ice cubes. Give the chia gel a final stir to loosen it, then divide it evenly between the two glasses. It will look quite thick at this stage, which is perfect. Slowly pour the chilled mango-lime mixture over the chia and ice, dividing it evenly. Use a long spoon or straw to gently stir from the bottom of each glass so the chia seeds float throughout the drink instead of sitting in a layer. You should see tiny suspended seeds throughout the golden-orange liquid.
Step 7: Garnish and serve
Top each glass with a few small mango cubes and a lime slice on the rim, if desired. Add a sprig of fresh mint for a fragrant touch. Serve immediately with a reusable straw or a spoon so you can scoop up the chia as you sip. Enjoy your mango-lime chia refresher ice-cold while the flavors are bright and the textures are at their best.
Pro Tips
- Use very ripe mangos: The sweeter and softer the mango, the more vibrant and naturally sweet your drink will be. If your mangos are a bit firm or tart, you may need extra sweetener.
- Prevent chia clumps: Always stir chia into water right away and stir again after a few minutes. Adding chia directly to thick liquids can cause stubborn clumping.
- Chill everything: Cold water, cold fruit, and chilled glasses make this drink especially refreshing, and the chia texture is more pleasant when cold.
- Adjust texture to taste: For a lighter drink, use 1 1/2 tbsp chia seeds instead of 2 tbsp. For a thicker, almost dessert-like refresher, increase to 2 1/2 tbsp.
- Strain for ultra-smoothness: If you dislike any mango fiber, strain the blended base through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring it over the chia.
Variations
- Sparkling Mango-Lime Chia Refresher: Replace half of the still water or coconut water with chilled sparkling water. Pour the sparkling water into the glass right before serving to preserve the bubbles.
- Coconut Mango Chia Cooler: Use 1 cup light canned coconut milk plus 1/2 cup water instead of 1 1/2 cups water or coconut water. This turns the drink creamier and more indulgent.
- Spicy Mango-Lime Chia: Add 2–3 very thin slices of fresh jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne to the blender for a gentle heat that pairs beautifully with the sweet mango.
Storage & Make-Ahead
You can hydrate the chia seeds up to 3 days in advance. Store the chia gel in a covered jar in the refrigerator; it may thicken slightly over time, so you can stir in a tablespoon or two of water to loosen it before using. The mango-lime base can be blended and stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Stir or shake well before pouring, as it may separate slightly. Once assembled with chia and ice, the drink is best enjoyed within 1–2 hours; after that, the ice will dilute it and the chia will continue to thicken. If you have leftover assembled drink without ice, refrigerate up to 24 hours and stir in extra cold water to thin, if needed.
Nutrition (per serving)
Approximate values per serving (1 of 2, without garnishes, using water and 2 tbsp total honey): about 220–240 calories; 4 g protein; 7 g fat; 44 g carbohydrates; 9 g fiber; 30–34 g natural and added sugars. Values will vary based on the sweetness of your mango, the type and amount of sweetener used, and whether you use water or coconut water.
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