Look, I love a good Pina colada, especially when I’m by the pool or on the beach. But, since it’s not typically socially acceptable to have a cocktail in the morning, why not try this green Pina colada smoothie instead? It has all your favorite tropical flavors, no alcohol, and even some healthy veggies!
The Pina colada drink is the national drink of Puerto Rico and is a classic blend of pineapple, coconut, rum, and ice. This smoothie version embraces all the same flavors, minus the rum, for a tropical twist on your morning.
Like most smoothies, you can definitely adjust it to your tastes. Make it thicker or thinner in consistency, add some protein, and even change up the liquids to suit your needs. That’s what makes them one of my favorite drinks!
Throw everything in a blender and in 5 minutes or less you’ve got the perfect breakfast on the go or mid-afternoon pick me up. You can even portion your ingredients out ahead of time for faster mornings!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
¾ cup frozen pineapple chunks
¼ cup frozen banana slices
½ cup coconut milk
½ cup fresh baby spinach leaves
3 ounces coconut yogurt
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You can use ¼ cup of fresh banana slices as well, but may need to add some ice cubes to thicken
Coconut milk can be swapped for sweetened coconut milk, lite coconut milk, or toasted coconut flavored almond milk
In place of the spinach leaves, you may substitute baby kale
I typically use coconut Greek yogurt (like Chobani) or low sugar regular coconut yogurt (such as Two Good). For a dairy free option, use coconut flavor coconut dairy alternative yogurt (such as Oui)!
Add ins: Add in 1 Tsp of spirulina powder or 1 serving of your favorite protein powder if desired
Toppings: Top with a lime wedge, pineapple wedge, or some toasted coconut flakes!
The ingredient quantities as listed are designed for a green pina colada smoothie for one. However, it can easily be doubled if you’re sharing
How to Make a Green Pina Colada Smoothie
Add all ingredients to your favorite blender
Blend on high, smoothie, or the puree setting (depending on what your blender has)
Adjust with additional milk to thin or more fruit to thicken if needed
(Optional) Add in spirulina or protein powder and mix, or blend on the lowest setting
Enjoy!
What Pairs Well With Pina Colada Smoothies?
Jerk chicken
Barbecued shrimp
Coconut shrimp
Tuna
Other fish
Tacos
Duck
Citrus pork
Barbecue ribs
Chips & salsa
Pineapple salsa
Mango salsa
Jicama fries
Guacamole
Chicken wings
Tropical fruits
Pineapple upside down cake
Banana bread
There are lots of great dishes that pair well with pina colada smoothies. Whether you’re looking to set out some appetizers or party foods, serve a full meal, or enjoy a sweet dessert, there are plenty of options to choose from!
A Pina colada smoothie is made of pineapple and coconut for a base. Bananas and ice are a regular addition. Other variations may include berries, greens, or nutritional powders.
Pina colada smoothies do not typically contain alcohol, unlike their cocktail counterparts of the same name.
How Do You Make Smoothies Creamy and Not Icy?
To make smoothies creamy and not icy, use frozen fruits. Bananas in particular are a great choice, as they are creamy on their own. The frozen fruit brings the temperature down and thickens the smoothie up, without watering it down.
Alternatively, a fresh banana may be used to offset the ice and add creaminess, and additions such as milk or yogurt also add a creamy consistency.
What Green Veggie Would Be Good in a Pina Colada Smoothie?
The green veggies that are good in a Pina colada smoothie are baby spinach or baby kale.
You can also add spirulina powder or matcha into your smoothie if desired.
Recipe Pro Tips
If you’re using ice cubes or frozen milk cubes, pulse a few times to break them up before blending the rest of the ingredients
This recipe works best in a blender, be it a full size or portable version. I’m using a BlendJet 2 personally. You can also use an immersion blender or food processor in a pinch, but they’ll leave larger fruit chunks in your smoothie
For the portable blenders, you may need to add half the frozen fruit, blend a bit, and then stick the rest in after it’s blended down a bit
Storage Tips
While this is considered a single serving, if you do happen to have leftover Pina colada smoothie, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
To save time, portion all your fruits and veggies into freezer bags and store for up to 3 months. You can even freeze the milk and yogurt into ice cube trays! Then, just grab, blend, and go when you need a smoothie
This creamy green Pina colada smoothie is the perfect morning breakfast on the go, poolside sipper without alcohol, or afternoon pick me up with a fruity twist.
It only takes about 5 minutes to make (can’t beat that) and you’re sipping on a tropical paradise.
Change things up any way you like, to fit your dietary restrictions or add in some of your daily nutrients. Smoothies are so adjustable making them perfect for all sorts of needs and preferences!
For a tropical twist, make sure to check out my Mango Colada Smoothie recipe too!
Green Pina Colada Smoothie (With Coconut Milk and Yogurt)
This green Pina colada smoothie is a thick, creamy smoothie filled with tropical flavor. It gets the green color from baby spinach, for a healthy twist you won’t even taste!
¾ Cup frozen pineapple chunks, ¼ Cup frozen banana slices, ½ Cup coconut milk, ½ Cup fresh baby spinach leaves, 3 Ounces coconut yogurt
Blend on high, smoothie, or the puree setting (depending on what your blender has)
Adjust with additional milk to thin or more fruit to thicken if needed
(Optional) Add in spirulina or protein powder and mix, or blend on the lowest setting
Enjoy!
Notes
You can use ¼ cup of fresh banana slices as well, but may need to add some ice cubes to thicken
Coconut milk can be swapped for sweetened coconut milk, lite coconut milk, or toasted coconut flavored almond milk
In place of the spinach leaves, you may substitute baby kale
I typically use coconut Greek yogurt (like Chobani) or low sugar regular coconut yogurt (such as Two Good). For a dairy free option, use coconut flavor coconut dairy alternative yogurt (such as Oui)!
Add ins: Add in 1 Tsp of spirulina powder or 1 serving of your favorite protein powder if desired
Toppings: Top with a lime wedge, pineapple wedge, or some toasted coconut flakes!
If you’re using ice cubes or frozen milk cubes, pulse a few times to break them up before blending the rest of the ingredients
This recipe works best in a blender, be it a full size or portable version (I’m using a BlendJet 2). You can also use an immersion blender or food processor in a pinch, but they’ll leave larger fruit chunks in your smoothie
For the portable blenders, you may need to add half the frozen fruit, blend a bit, and then stick the rest in after it’s blended down a bit
While this is a single serving for one, if you do happen to have leftover Pina colada smoothie, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
You can also easily double the recipe if you want to share!
To save time, portion all your fruits and veggies into freezer bags and store for up to 3 months. You can even freeze the milk and yogurt into ice cube trays! Then, just grab, blend, and go when you need a smoothie
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any swaps, additions, or toppings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
