Serves a Crowd

Moonlight Sonata

by:
April 23, 2010
5 Stars
Moonlight Sonata
Author Notes

If Beethoven had been a mixologist instead of a composer, this might have been one of his signature pieces. It’s sweet and pleasant at first, with a bit more excitement as the limeade melts and makes its presence known. The limeade ice cubes are key. Give them a bit more kick, if you like, by simmering a couple slices of fresh ginger in about a half cup of water until it’s reduced by half, to use in the simple syrup you make for the limeade. Either way . . . . Enjoy!!! - AntoniaJames —AntoniaJames

Test Kitchen Notes

This Moonlight Sonata is anything but a lullaby! The fresh mangoes lead the way while the acidity of the lime and orange harmonize blissfully. The subtle peach flavor provides a solid base line ... top it off with champagne and you have a lively tune. If you don’t have the patience for limeade ice cubes, you can pour the chilled limeade directly into the mix without worry. Best enjoyed with sunshine and sand. - CatherineJagers —The Editors

  • Serves 8-10
Ingredients
  • 1 very ripe mango
  • Juice of 1 large navel orange
  • 1 cup chopped peaches (frozen, home-canned or fresh)
  • 4 twelve–ounce bottles of GUS (Grown Up Soda) - or other very dry - ginger ale
  • One large bottle seltzer water OR a bottle of Prosecco OR a combination of both
  • Limeade ice cubes made from homemade limeade (Please see note below.)
  • You'll need 4-6 limes and sugar to taste for that.
  • Mint or lime slices for garnish.
  • Note: You can use Reed's Ginger Beer instead of the GUS, if you like.
In This Recipe
Directions
  1. Chill the ginger ale, seltzer and/or Prosecco. Chill your pitcher, too.
  2. Peel the mango and cut/scrape the pulp into a blender.
  3. Add the orange juice and peaches. Puree for about two minutes. Push through a fine-mesh sieve.
  4. Pour into the chilled pitcher with the ginger ale and seltzer water and/or Prosecco.
  5. Stir well. Serve over limeade ice cubes, and garnish with mint or a slice of lime.
  6. Enjoy!! ;o)
  7. Note: To make one tray of limeade ice cubes, make a simple syrup (easily done in a one cup glass or plastic measuring cup in the microwave) by cooking 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 4 tablespoons of water until the sugar dissolves. Squeeze 2 or 3 limes directly into the cup. Stir well. Immediately add enough cold water to fill up the ice cube tray (1 to 1 ¼ cup total, for most trays). Freeze. Make as strong or sweet, or not, as you like. To serve 8, you should make two trays. ;o)
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AntoniaJames

Recipe by: AntoniaJames

When I'm not working (negotiating transactions for internet companies), or outside enjoying the gorgeous surroundings here in Boulder County, CO, I'm likely to be cooking, shopping for food, planning my next culinary experiment, or researching, voraciously, whatever interests me. In my kitchen, no matter what I am doing -- and I actually don't mind cleaning up -- I am deeply grateful for having the means to create, share with others and eat great food. Life is very good. ;o)

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15 Reviews

Beautiful, M.
Beautiful, M. May 8, 2012
Could not be prettier! And I love the limeade ice cubes.
 
jenniebgood
jenniebgood May 3, 2012
This is making me so thirsty - I can imagine drinking this on my porch on a warm afternoon. Nice TJ's tip below - I love that you can make this all year round.
 
BlueKaleRoad
BlueKaleRoad July 22, 2011
Mango, Prosecco, peaches...oh my! Absolutely gorgeous drink and I can't wait to make it. Thanks for sharing!
 
Author Comment
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames July 22, 2011
Thanks so much, BKR. I have to confess that since someone pointed out to me that you can get a decent mango, peach and orange drink in cartons at Trader Joe's (sold in our stores in the refrigerator cases near the milk), I've actually used it on occasion to make this. It tastes pretty good!! ;o)
 
BlueKaleRoad
BlueKaleRoad July 22, 2011
Thanks for the tip! I've seen it at TJs and I'll check it out.
 
fiveandspice
fiveandspice July 14, 2011
Ohhhh, this has so many of my favorite flavors in it! YUM!
 
Author Comment
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames July 22, 2011
Thank you, F&S. See my comment above, regarding the ultimate "cheat" for this. ;o)
 
wssmom
wssmom July 8, 2011
I missed this first time around but on my Maine vacation this week, this is on the menu! Thanks for entering it!
 
Author Comment
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames July 22, 2011
Thanks so much, wssmom. ;o)
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen July 8, 2011
Beautiful!
 
Author Comment
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames July 22, 2011
You're so kind, SG! Thank you.
 
nutty_cook
nutty_cook June 7, 2010
My wife and I poured these up this weekend to go with our backyard pizza party. It was the perfect drink for a hot Southern evening. THANKS!!!!
 
Author Comment
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames June 10, 2010
So glad you liked it!! Thanks for letting us know. The puree mix (mango, orange juice and peaches) makes a great milk shake or smoothie, too, by the way. ;o)
 
melissav
melissav April 24, 2010
This sounds like my kind of drink.
 
testkitchenette
testkitchenette April 23, 2010
This looks great and what a sunny color. I say yes to anything with mango in it.