Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: With mango, banana, berries, and a hint of spicy ginger, this refreshing coconut water smoothie will hydrate and energize you. It’s super easy to make, with only 166 calories per serving.
How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: blender
Servings: 1
A “Light” Smoothie
When you want a smoothie that’s a refresher and not a filling meal, turn to coconut water. It doesn’t make your smoothie creamy or rich; instead, it makes it super hydrating because: electrolytes!
This coconut water smoothie is packed full of crisp and bright flavors, thanks mainly to berries and mango. Fresh ginger adds a little zing and warmth. I, of course, sneak in a little spinach to get in that extra handful of greens for the day. Again: totally optional.
This smoothie recipe would be perfect after a long day in the hot sun but it is also great for people like me who are just pretending they are on a tropical beach somewhere.
Coconut Water Smoothie
Refreshing, not filling. Some days you want a protein smoothie, like my mocha protein shake or a cottage cheese smoothie. Other days, you want something that falls on the lighter side. This coconut water smoothie is ideal when you want a smoothie as a snack or drink.
Easy to make. Because this recipe relies upon frozen fruit, there’s not a lot of peeling and chopping happening here. You can easily make this smoothie post work-out.
No added sugar. Between the fruit and the coconut water, this smoothie doesn’t need any added sweeteners. It’s perfect as is!
Coconut Water vs Coconut Milk
You’ll find coconut water on grocery store shelves. Pink coconut water is less processed and it has a more robust flavor, so many people prefer it to the clear varieties. It’s up to you! Coconut water is shelf-stable but should be refrigerated after opening.
Coconut water is not the same as canned coconut milk. If you ever use the top layer of cream from a can of coconut milk, what’s left at the bottom is coconut water.
Smoothie Ingredient Notes
- Frozen Strawberries or Raspberries: It’s your choice of berries but keep in mind that if you don’t have a high-speed blender, you may notice a few more seeds with raspberries.
- Frozen Diced Mango: Mango adds sweetness and that signature tropical flavor.
- Frozen Banana: If you want the creaminess banana adds but you’re not a fan of the flavor, use an unripe banana. Here’s how to freeze bananas.
- Fresh Spinach: Greens are optional but they add a boost of nutrition without changing the overall flavor of your coconut water smoothie. Greens do change the color a bit.
- Coconut Water: Start with ½ cup, then stream in more as needed. Coconut water is a good source of electrolytes and only has 60 calories per cup (Healthline).
- Ginger: Fresh ginger packs a punch and it’s fantastic in a smoothie! Although ginger is optional, it really livens things up and it has plenty of health benefits, too.
How To Make A Coconut Water Smoothie
Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth.
Adjust consistency as needed; if the smoothie is too thick, add a little more coconut water, if it’s too thin, add a few ice cubes and blend again.
Change It Up
- Try other fruits: As long as the total volume of frozen fruit equals 1 ½ cups, you can switch out the berries, mango, and banana with whatever you like or have on hand.
- Make it without banana: You can add creaminess with plain Greek yogurt instead of banana if you’d like.
- Give it a superfood boost: Chia seeds, flax seeds, MCT oil, and hemp hearts will all add extra nutrition to your coconut water smoothie.
Divvy up frozen fruit and spinach into small freezer bags and store them in the freezer. Then, when you’re ready for a smoothie, you’ll just need to add the coconut water to your blender and dump in the frozen fruit and spinach. Easy peasy!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The smoothie may separate a bit after storage; just stir it before enjoying.
Freeze leftover coconut water smoothie in popsicle molds for a refreshing frozen treat!
More Smoothie Recipes
Coconut Water Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen strawberries or raspberries
- ½ cup frozen diced mango
- ½ cup sliced frozen banana
- ½ cup fresh spinach leaves, optional
- ½ cup coconut water, more as needed
- ½ teaspoon minced ginger root, optional
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender; blend at high speed until smooth. Adjust consistency: if it’s too thick, add a little more coconut water. If it’s too thin, add a few ice cubes and blend again.½ cup frozen strawberries or raspberries, ½ cup frozen diced mango, ½ cup sliced frozen banana, ½ cup fresh spinach leaves, optional, ½ cup coconut water, more as needed, ½ teaspoon minced ginger root, optional
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Nutrition note: Nutrition information is for a smoothie made with strawberries, and includes spinach and ginger root.
- Try different fruits. You may use different combinations of fruit. You’ll want about 1 ½ cups of frozen fruit.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I’m so ready for short-sleeve weather, too! Those mason jars are so cute! And I love that you added a pop of fresh ginger to these smoothies. I’ve got to try that!
If I can’t be on a warm beach, and can at least eat tropical flavors! Yum!
I’m ready for summer too and this smoothie!
I think it was the cute straws, mini-mason jars AND this awesome smoothie! I have never made a smoothie with coconut water and I’m wondering why – looks and sounds awesome!
What a great idea for a smoothie – love the use of coconut water!
And your kids are so cute… I’d gladly take the childcare workers spot!
Delicious!! I have similar straws to those and am obsessed with them… A little bit of springtime in February :)
this sounds like the perfect smoothie – added greens are always a bonus for us moms with picky eaters, and I LOVE the jars and straws
I think I’d swap out the banana and use greek yogurt–not a banana person
Winter never hit here – I’ve been drinking smoothies all season so now I’m ready for the snow! That said, this smoothie sounds fantastic right about now. Love the flavor pairing. And speaking of pairs – those two ARE adorable!
Those jars are too cute! I’m a fan of anything raspberry so I’ll definitely be trying these. I’m bad about getting stuck in the same rut with smoothies, I need to branch out a bit!