With just a handful of simple ingredients, this vibrant Berry and Dragon Fruit Smoothie is a great way to bring tropical flavors to your kitchen. If you’re after something healthy, refreshing, and a little different, this smoothie is the perfect option. It comes together in just 5 minutes, making it ideal for busy weekdays.
Ok, let's be real. One of the best things about travelling to Southeast Asia is the fresh fruit. Living in the region means I’m lucky to be surrounded by delicious fresh tropical fruits year-round. So I am usually consuming fresh dragon fruit at least once a week - and it’s become one of my favorite additions to smoothies! It gives a creamy texture and subtle, refreshing flavor. Plus, I have to admit, the vibrant magenta color makes it all the more exciting to drink!
Thinking of making a healthy brunch for friends? Why not serve this smoothie with some Bircher Muesli or Banana Pancakes? Or for a savory dish, this Menemen is sure to please!
What is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is considered an exotic fruit that grows on a type of cactus originally native to South and Central America. Today, it’s widely cultivated in regions like Southeast Asia, thanks to its ability to thrive in warm climates.
There are a few different types of dragon fruit - some with white flesh, others with a bright magenta-colored flesh, and even a yellow-skinned variety. Red dragon fruit is especially popular in smoothies due to their bright pink color. It also has a mild taste, so it doesn't overpower but rather adds a nice refreshing touch to any smoothie.
DID YOU KNOW?
Dragon fruit is shown to have several health benefits. It's a good source of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, which help support digestion and boost the immune system! Its high water content and low calorie count also make it a great addition to a balanced diet!
Why you’ll love this tropical smoothie
- Packed with vitamins: With the dragon fruit, berries, and mango, this smoothie is naturally rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, making it a nourishing recipe.
- So quick to make: Just grab a few smoothie ingredients and it's ready in 5 minutes. It’s perfect for busy mornings or when you need a healthy snack in a hurry.
- Naturally sweet: No added sugars are needed in this recipe because the fruits provide all the natural sweetness needed!
Where to buy Dragon Fruit?
Many grocery stores in Southeast Asia sell fresh pitaya, but I know that in many other regions it is not easy to find. When I lived in Europe, my local grocery store had it in the frozen aisle, and it was sold as 'dragon fruit smoothie packs'. There are also some stores selling dragon fruit puree, which works in this recipe too. Alternatively, you can try looking for your local asian store to see if they sell them!
Ingredients you’ll need
This dragon fruit smoothie recipe needs just a few ingredients:
- Dragon Fruit: Pink dragon fruit works great in this recipe because it’s sweeter than the white fleshed variety, but white dragon fruit will work too. Since I find fresh pitaya in most supermarkets where I live, I like to use it fresh in this recipe. You can also use frozen.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries work well. You can also use other berries like strawberries, raspberries, or even blackberries!
- Milk: This recipe uses fresh dairy milk, but you can use any type of milk you like. Some great diary-free alternatives are almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. You can also skip the milk and go for coconut water.
- Banana: Either fresh or frozen banana. Try to use ripe bananas (brown and spotty) as they provide the natural sweetness in this smoothie.
- Lime Juice: Just a little dash of lime juice is a great addition to this recipe. It helps balance the overall sweetness and creates a more rounded flavor.
- Mango: Fresh or frozen also works here, you can also leave it out if you prefer. I find it adds a nice tropical touch.
- Ice cubes: Blend a few ice cubes with the fruits to thicken the smoothie.
How to make this pitaya smoothie:
This easy smoothie recipe is ready in a few simple steps. For all the full quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: For any fresh fruits you are using, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: In a high-speed blender, add all the ingredients.
Step 3: Blend until smooth.
Step 4: Serve immediately or top with extra fruit and enjoy!
Extra tips and Variations
Adjust the amount of ice cubes. If you are using only fresh fruits, I would recommend increasing the ice cubes to thicken the smoothie slightly. With frozen fruit, you can adjust the ice cubes based on your texture preferences. Use less if you like a more liquid smoothie, or more if you prefer a thick smoothie.
Use frozen fruits where you can. I find that sometimes adding only ice cubes to thicken the smoothie will make the smoothie too watery. So I like to add frozen fruits in addition to some of the fresh fruits to have the right balance of thickness and flavor.
Try making smoothie bowls! Instead of drinking this as a smoothie, try reducing the milk to ¼ cup to get a thick smoothie and pour into a bowl. Top with granola, fresh fruit and nuts and you'll have yourself a delicious smoothie bowl.
Add other ingredients. There are so many other optional add-ins you can put in this healthy smoothie. You can add your twist - try vanilla yogurt, whey or plant-based protein, maple syrup (for a sweeter smoothie), chia seeds, hemp seeds, even baby spinach!
FAQs
Yes, you can either store in a jar or airtight container in the fridge to consume the next 2 days. If you want to freeze it, put it into a container, ziplock bag, or ice cube tray for up to a month. When defrosting, simply let it thaw the night before you want to consume it in the fridge.
Add in a pitted date, honey or maple syrup. You can also add in some vanilla yoghurt for added creaminess. Taste and adjust as needed.
Sometimes if the fruit used in the smoothie hasn't completely ripened, it can be sour. Dragon fruit and blueberries are especially sour if not fully ripe. To make sure your dragon fruit is ripe, it should be soft to the touch, and the skin should have a vibrant color. Otherwise, you can sweeten it with the above-suggested ingredients.
Have too much leftover Pitaya? See how to store it to reduce food waste!
Let me know how you like it!
Don't forget to let me know if you try out this recipe. Comment below or tag me on Instagram @mammasflavors or share on Pinterest!
Also share this recipe with family and friends!
Delicious Berry and Dragon Fruit Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
- high-speed blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup pink dragon fruit fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 medium banana fresh or frozen
- ½ cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup mango fresh or frozen
- 2 teaspoon lime juice
- 2-3 ice cubes optional
- 1 scoop plant-based or whey protein powder optional
Instructions
- For any fresh fruit you are using, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a high-speed blender, add all the ingredients.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately or top with extra fruit and enjoy!
RELATED RECIPES
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Comments
No Comments