Citrus Caprese Kebabs with Mint, made with tangerines, are a super pretty and delicious appetizer for a holiday party, or any time. Their vibrant colors and flavors make them festive and fun! 
Another delightful, delicious holiday hors d'oeuvre recipe!
How pretty and festive would these Citrus Mint Caprese Kebabs be, along with a few of these other beautiful treats, for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a New Year's Eve cocktail party?
Inspiration for Citrus Caprese Kebabs with Mint
Just look at how vibrant and beautiful the orange color of the tangerine is! These are Neapolitan (also called Page) Tangerines. These are true gems. They're seedless, incredibly juicy, rich, sweet, and the inspiration for this recipe.
Neapolitan Tangerines are in season from December through March, and if you don't see them in stores you can order them here from Melissa's Produce.
This hors d'oeuvre is quick and easy to prepare and I love the blend of flavors and textures.
Since basil is the fresh herb for traditional caprese, it's fun to mix it up with the mint. And of course instead of tomatoes, the citrus. That's what's so fun about recipes like this, you can really customize them to your taste.
Other Non-Traditional Caprese Ideas
You could also try this with fresh basil, arugula, oregano, mustard greens, watercress, or any other green you'd like.
Of course you could use oranges, or any other citrus you love -- even grapefruit would be lovely. And if you want, move away from the citrus -- how about cherries, blueberries or persimmons? Have fun with it!
Recipe Tips for Citrus Caprese Kebabs
- If you can't find the mozzarella balls, you can use 4-ounces mozzarella, drained and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- While I'm featuring the Neapolitan tangerine, you can use any tangerine or orange that you like.
Whether you serve them for guests or for yourself, I hope you enjoy these Citrus Mint Caprese Kebabs!
A few more holiday appetizer recipes:
- Gruyère Spinach Dip with Artichokes
- Mini Red Potato Appetizer with Cranberries
- Manchego-Prosciutto Port Glazed Fig Bites
- Roasted Enjoya Pepper Sweet Potato Rolls
Citrus Caprese Kebabs
Ingredients
- 1 dozen fresh mozzarella balls about the size of cherries, drained (see notes)
- 2 medium-large tangerines, peeled and then cut into 2 dozen bite-sized pieces
- 2 dozen mint leaves, washed and dried
- about 1 teaspoon blackberry jam
- cayenne pepper
- you will also need 1 dozen small skewers or cocktail toothpicks
Instructions
- Gently slide a piece of tangerine on one of the skewers or toothpicks. (The best way to prepare the tangerine is to peel it like THIS, and then cut it into pieces.)
- Carefully add a mint leaf, followed by the mozzarella and a second mint leaf. Slide one more piece of tangerine on after the mint.
- Use a small spoon, or your finger to add a dab of the jam on one side of each piece of mozzarella.
- Sprinkle the jam with a dusting of cayenne pepper and serve.
NUTRITION
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Jeanne @Jollytomato
SO pretty! I love the deep orange of these tangerines - They're the perfect fruit for the mid-winter doldrums!
valentina
Thanks Jeanne! XO Happy Holidays!
Christina
Gorgeous-beautiful!!!
valentina
Thank you, my friend. xo
Nancy Rose Eisman
What a creative combination and another beautiful photo!
valentina
Thanks so much, Nancy! Happy New Year! xo
Deb
Festive and bursting with flavor, a fabulous winter treat! I'll be on the look-out for those gorgeous Page Tangerines!
valentina
Hope you find them -- I bet some of your local Farmers Market's will have them soon. 🙂
David
I do love a perfect tangerine! And your kebabs are so beautiful - like little sections of stained glass windows! Perfect for a happy and healthy New Year! ~ David
valentina
i love that you equated this to stained glass! you're awesome, David! 🙂
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
Wow, those tangerines look AHHHHHHMAZING! Love this twist on caprese!
valentina
Thank you, Lori! Hope you try them, and Happy New Year! 🙂
Calleigh - the Fork Bite
I love tangerines and the colors look pretty amazing. Perfect for my Keto diet 🙂
valentina
Awesome! Thanks. 🙂
Natalie
Looks so delicious and colorful! This is so creative and perfect for hosting!
valentina
Thank you, Natalie! 🙂
Adriana Lopez Martin
What a perfect little snack or appetizer, those oranges look incredible the color is impressive. I need to make some as we get the best Florida oranges in my area.
valentina
Florida oranges are great! Thanks!
Veena Azmanov
Love the Citrus flavor and amazing looking Snack. Lovely idea for this festive season. I want to grab a bite of it.
valentina
Thank you, Veena. Festive indeed. 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Allison
What a great twist on a caprese! Perfect for using up winter citrus!
valentina
Yes! Thanks, Allison. 🙂
Emily
The photos for this post are gorgeous! I love the plate you displayed the skewers on. Can’t wait to try this for a party.
valentina
Thanks so much, Emily! The plate was my mom's. 🙂
2pots2cook
Oh yes ! We just got some fresh tangerines and mint is still doing fine on my southern balcony ! Absolutely amazing and simple idea Valentina ! Thank you so much !
valentina
Thank you, Davorka. Lovely you have mint growing. 🙂 ~Valentina
David @ Spiced
This is the first I've heard of Neapolitan Tangerines...what a cool color! And I can only imagine how good they taste. I love the idea of using them for a non-traditional caprese. These skewers really would be perfect for a holiday appetizer party or New Year's Eve. Love the flavors you've got going on here, Valentina!
valentina
Thanks so much, David. Yes, so fun for a holiday party. Hope you and your family had a delicious Thanksgiving. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kim Lange
Those kabobs are so awesome! I love the addition of tangerine because it's so different, but I know it has to taste so yummy!
valentina
Thanks, Kim. We had them last night and yes, to tasty. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So fresh and flavourful and just perfect for holiday entertaining! I could devour a whole lotta these!! And who doesn't love food on a stick??
valentina
Ha! I know, right? Food on a stick is fun. 🙂 ~Valentina
Phoenix
Is there something I can use in place of fresh mint leaves? I love this idea and can't wait to try some of these, let alone show them off at a new year's party tonight - but my mint is old and looking scrappy
valentina
Hi! Hope I'm getting back to you in time . . . basil is a great alternative for flavor and color. Really anything bright green to offset the colors. In a pinch if you don't have basil you can even use tiny pieces of fresh spinach or dark lettuce. They won't be as flavorful as the herbs, but will look pretty. Enjoy and happy new year! 🙂 ~Valentina
Kelly
I made this for an event that my friend and I were hosting, only I didn't like the sound of the cayenne pepper with this, so I omitted it, and drizzled the apps with honey.
Everyone loved it.
Great app idea that is simple and can go with any season.
Valentina
Hi Kelly. I'm so happy this was a hit! Happy New Year! 🙂 ~Valentina