Mango and Red Bell Pepper Juice

Imagine your life.  Now, imagine your life with a refreshing glass of mango and red bell pepper juice. Yes, Vitamin C loves you, too!  Ring in the dog days of summer with this sweet and tangy juice.  It's absolutely scrumptious and can be completely made to taste.  The 1 to 1 ratio of mango and bell pepper I use here yields a slightly tangy juice; however, you could easily double up on the mangoes or bell peppers to make it sweeter or even tangier.  For an added punch, I decided to rim the glass with a sweet and spicy mix of sugar, cayenne pepper and finely chopped crystallized candied ginger.  And, I may or may not have added a shot of cachaca.  Delish.  Cheers to the weekend, folks!

Ingredients:

• 1 mango, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and cut into strips
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• Ground cayenne pepper to taste, about 1 or 2 shakes
• 1 small piece of crystallized candied ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp lime juice or cachaca/rum

Directions:

Begin by washing the mango and red bell pepper.  Prepare them for the juicer by dicing the mango and seeding the red bell pepper and cutting it into strips.  Juice the mango and red bell pepper using a juicer.    Mix and set aside. 

Add the sugar, cayenne pepper and candied ginger to a small bowl.  Stir to combine.  Transfer sugar mixture to a plate or bowl large enough to fit the rim of the glass you will drink from.  Next, dip the rim of the glass in lime juice or cachaca, being sure to moisten the sides of the glass near the rim as well.  Now, immediately dip the rim of the glass in the sugar mixture and press down on the ginger pieces to get them to adhere to the glass.  Turn the glass right side up.  Add the mango and red bell pepper juice.  If you're like me, you may or may not want to add a shot of cachaca or rum at this point, but that's at your discretion. Enjoy!