All the creamy goodness of the iconic Caribbean drink in a smoothie that will turn your breakfast into a tropical vacation.
What’s not to love about a frosty, creamy, tropically-tinged Piña Colada? Just the thought of it will evoke a sunny beach lined with palms swaying in a gentle ocean breeze. But if you’re stuck at home on your way to work instead of seaside in Puerto Rico, I’ll tell you how you can turn your breakfast into an instant vacation for your brain that will benefit your body.
This Piña Colada Smoothie has all the deliciously sweet flavors of coconut and pineapple and the slushy texture of a smoothie in a dairy-free, gluten-free treat that packs a nutritious punch. Coconut milk is loaded with antioxidants and minerals, and contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and manganese, aids digestion and helps in the production of collagen. Bananas are a potassium and fiber powerhouse, contributing to gut health.
All of those benefits, wrapped in an easy to make, delicious drink which you can enjoy early in the morning to get you going, to recover after a run or a workout, or simply as a tasty treat after a long workday.
How To Make The Best Piña Colada Smoothie
The best thing about this smoothie is that you can customize how sweet and how slushy you want it by adding more or less sweetener and ice. Peel and cut the pineapple ahead of time to expedite the process, but don’t do it too far ahead as the fruit will oxidize and lose its yummy flavor and properties. To make your smoothie extra creamy, you can cut the pineapple and banana and store in the freezer overnight and blend directly out of the freezer.
For sweetener you can use honey, agave syrup, or plain old sugar if you like. Somehow I’m thinking pure maple syrup would add an extra special taste. For the coconut milk, you can use any brand that you like, whether tinned or tetra packed. You can even make your own if you are entrepreneurial in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup of ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons of honey or other sweeteners optional
Instructions
- Gather your fresh pineapple chunks, coconut milk, banana, and ice. If you want, you can also use honey or another sweetener.
- Put all the ingredients into a blender. Blend until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Pour your smoothie into glasses and serve. If you want, garnish each serving with a pineapple wedge or some whipped cream.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
A traditional Piña Colada glass would make the smoothie look sexy, but you can also use a pint glass, or your favorite to-go thermos if you’re on the run.
Chances are that you won’t need to store as there won’t be any leftovers. But if for some reason you don’t drink it all at once and plan to drink it soon after, keep it in the fridge and blend again when ready to drink. If you make a larger batch to last a few days, you can keep it in an airtight container in the freezer and pull it out ahead of time to allow it to thaw a bit to a slushy consistency.
A Piña Colada Smoothie has around 443 calories.
Absolutely! Buy frozen pineapple chunks and use straight from the freezer for an extra creamy texture.
Sure, but the consistency won’t be the same. You would need to add more ice and less sweetener accordingly.
Piña Colada Smoothie Variations
- Virgin Piña Colada: Closer to the actual cocktail, but without the booze.
- Classic Piña Colada: The ultimate tropical cocktail, frozen or on the rocks.
- Chocolate Piña Colada: With or without rum, this is a delicious alternative.
- Bushwacker Cocktail: A frozen concotion of coconut cream, Kahlúa, Baileys Irish Cream, Crème de Cacao, and Amaretto.
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