I live in the opposite of a tropical climate (Canada). But that doesn’t mean I can enjoy tropical flavours year-round with this amazing tropical green smoothie. The best part is that it can also be turned into a delicious tropical green juice with a quick trick I learnt!
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I don’t own a juicer, or a high-speed blender. I’ve gotten creative with ways to make delicious, creamy smoothies in a ‘regular’ blender. I’ve also found a great way to turn any smoothie into a pulp-free juice for when I’m craving juice (although it works best with thinner smoothies).
This is a tropical green smoothie because the main flavours will be banana, coconut and pineapple. All smoothie and juice recipes are very customizable and I’ll make some notes along the way with yummy substitutions.
Tropical Green Smoothie Recipe
You can use fresh or frozen fruit for this smoothie. If you aren’t using any frozen fruit I would recommend adding ¼ cup of ice. Fresh fruit blends more easily if you don’t have a high-speed blender. I typically use one frozen ingredient, and the rest fresh. This way I can get my smoothie to blend but it’s still cold without adding ice!
If you don’t like pineapple, simply substitute with mango or peaches!
For the greens, I’m using spinach. It comes prewashed so is less of a hassle for me. It also blends up better compared to kale, in my blender. Feel free to substitute for any leafy greens you like!
Next I add 1/2 C to 1 C water just to get it blending nicely. You can substitute for coconut water if you like. I find coconut water has a pretty high price tag. For a more economical option, add ~4 tablespoons of coconut shreds. You can achieve the same flavour but it’s far cheaper!
Now blend and you’re done! A delicious and healthy tropical green smoothie!
Tropical Green Juice Recipe
If you’re interested in juicing but don’t own a juicer, I’m going to show you a neat trick to turn this smoothie into juice. How is that you ask?
Cheese cloth or a nut milk bag!
You can take a piece of cheese cloth (available at most stores selling kitchen equipment) and place it over a container. Carefully pour in the smoothies mix, pull the corners of the cloth together, and gently squeeze out the juice.
A nut milk bag is similar to cheese cloth but a little easier for pouring liquids into. If you can find a nut milk bag I highly recommend it!
Caution: when squeezing the cheese cloth or nut milk bag it tends to squirt everywhere so I recommend doing this over a large bowl to collect the juice!
Eh voila! You now have a tropical green juice.
Let me know in the comments below if you prefer a smoothie or a juice. Enjoy!
Tropical Green Smoothie and Juice
Equipment
- Blender
- Cheese cloth
Ingredients
- 1 medium banana , frozen
- 1 ½ C pineapple , fresh or frozen (chunks)
- 1 C spinach , fresh
- 3 inch piece cucumber
- 1 C coconut water (or sub for 3 tbsp coconut with 1 C water)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a blender with enough water to blend.
- Blend on high speed until smooth.
- If you want, you can strain the smoothie using the method above to make a delicious green juice!
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