Pina Colada Smoothie – TRH

With just two ingredients, this pina colada smoothie is pure tropical simplicity. It's a dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and paleo-friendly smoothie that takes just minutes to make.

Pina Coladas always put me in a vacation frame of mind and this frozen smoothie is no exception. I love the creaminess of the coconut milk with the sweetness of the pineapple. It doesn't need anything else.

Smoothies are a welcome treat for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack. This piña colada smoothie is perfect for summer, but don't wait until then to make it! It's packed with health benefits from the coconut milk and pineapple, making it a delicious beverage to enjoy year-round.

It's kid-friendly, too, and with one small addition, you can even turn this smoothie into a bona fide adult beverage.

Ingredients Needed

Even though I use packaged ingredients in this recipe, I make sure the ingredients are clean.

• Frozen pineapple chunks - go for organic if you can. I always use one that has only pineapple on the ingredient list.


• Coconut milk - I like Trader Joe's light coconut milk because the ingredient list is just coconut and water. I'm not a big fan of the gums and other processed food ingredients used in most coconut milks.

How To Make This Smoothie

This smoothie couldn't be easier.

1. Just put equal parts coconut milk and frozen pineapple in your Vitamix.


2. Blend until smooth. It will be very thick. If you don't have a high-speed blender, you may need to add a little water to get it going.

That's it. In less than five minutes you have a creamy frozen paleo piña colada smoothie that tastes like a vacation in a glass.

Variations

While I maintain that this tropical smoothie is perfect as is, you may want to experiment with adding other flavors and ingredients. Here are a few delicious ideas to consider.

• Frozen banana chunks - this will make the smoothie creamier and thicker as well as sweeter, so you may need to add a little water to thin it out.


• Unsweetened coconut flakes - add to the mixer and blend, or use as a garnish on top


• For a protein boost, add a scoop of collagen or your favorite vanilla-flavored protein powder.


• For an adult treat, feel free to add a 1-ounce shot of rum to make the classic frozen cocktail.

How Can I Make A Smoothie Bowl Out Of This?

Start with the initial recipe and blend it to your desired thickness. You may want to use full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream to help with creamy texture and thickness. You can also add frozen bananas to give it more of an ice cream texture. Use this as a base for your smoothie bowl.

Then dress it up with your favorite toppings. Here are a few to consider:

• Unsweetened coconut - shredded or flakes, toasted if you prefer


• Fresh berries


• Fresh pineapple chunks


• Fresh banana slices


• Paleo granola


• Slivered almonds, chopped pecans, or other nuts and seeds

How Can I Make Popsicles Out Of This?

When the weather is warm, indulge in a sweet frozen treat by making this tropical recipe into fruit popsicles. It's so easy! Here's how:

1. Just follow the recipe and blend everything in the Vitamix.


2. Pour into a silicone popsicle mold and freeze for 6 - 8 hours.


3. When you're ready to enjoy a popsicle, run the mold(s) under warm water for a minute to loosen the frozen popsicle.

You should now find it simple to push the popsicle out of the mold.

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