This tropical mango smoothie is a refreshing summer drink recipe while mangoes are in season. Fresh mango is used along with coconut milk to give it a more exotic tropical flavor.
With only 4 ingredients, this healthy, refreshing, creamy smoothie is ready in 5 minutes. It is creamy and sweet with NO ADDED SUGAR.
This mango drink recipe is quite similar to Mango Lassi, another creamy and delicious smoothie that you will love.
Use fresh mango to capture that natural sweetness rather than frozen mango. You can use frozen mango as well but they are not as sweet as fresh ripe mango. Frozen mangoes are picked and packaged not at their peak of ripeness so rendering a bland or muted flavor.
I usually make a few trips to get a box of 12 mangoes during peak season especially if I can smell its sweet aroma. It is common for us to have it fresh after a meal as a dessert or as a smoothie.
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What mango to use to make tropical smoothie
If you love mangoes, this is the best time to enjoy this delicious smoothie while fresh sweet mangoes are in season. Not all mangoes are sweet, their flavor can range from intense to bland.
A good ripe mango is sweet with intense aroma but that is not always the case, some are notoriously fibrous too.
Here in the US, there are 2 common varieties of mango: Ataulfo and Tommy Atkins. Both can be used to make this mango drink.
Ataulfo is also known to Americans as Champagne mangoes which is a descendant of the Philippine mangoes. In Asian stores, it is labeled Manila Mango. The taste is close but honestly, the Philippine mango known as Carabao is much sweeter.
Tommy Atkins is the other type of mango found here in the US. It is huge with a reddish yellowish peel. If ripe, it is also sweet and great to use for smoothie. Sometimes, I have more luck with Tommy Atkins being sweeter than Ataulfo.
What is coconut milk
One of the ingredients in this smoothie recipe is coconut milk.
In Asia, it is common to use the liquid of fresh squeezed grated coconut but here in the US, it is convenient to get it in a can.
FYI, coconut milk and coconut water are two different things but they come from the same coconut.
Anyway, coconut milk is the white liquid extracted from grated mature coconuts.
The first squeeze is usually referred to as coconut cream which is thick, rich and creamy. This has a more intense coconut flavor.
The 2nd or 3rd squeeze is thinner with a slight coconut flavor because water is added to extract more liquid known as coconut milk.
You can easily find coconut milk in your local grocer. Make sure to shake the can before opening. If you don’t, the top will be creamy and the rest is liquid.
You can store leftover coconut milk in an airtight container up to 3 days in the fridge, longer than that freeze it.
Mango smoothie ingredient substitute
This mango smoothie recipe is quite versatile. Of course, substituting with other ingredients will slightly alter the taste and consistency of the drink.
Mango – This recipe will work with other tropical fruits like banana, papaya, avocado, strawberry and pineapple. You can get adventurous and try it with other fruits, if you like. Of course, it will not taste like mango.
Coconut Milk – You can use yogurt or sour cream. Again, it will slightly alter the taste. Coconut milk is slightly sweet with coconut flavor.
Unsweetened Almond Milk – Note: I used 1 cup almond milk and ½ cup whole milk. You can also use whole milk. Other healthier type of milk will slightly alter the taste of the smoothie.
If YOU DON’T LIKE MILK, substitute with coconut water. Coconut water is slightly sweet with bland coconut flavor. Start with ¾ cup, if you like the consistency, then add more if desired. Again, this alters the flavor and consistency of smoothie. It is not as rich and creamy.
Banana – Use a smaller banana as it can overpower the taste of smoothie. You can eliminate the banana for a more intense mango flavor. You can also use papaya, but smoothie flavor will be slightly different.
Don’t buy mangoes that are
- Bruised.
- Early in the season. Mangoes available early in the season is not as sweet as peak season.
- Store-bought, peeled and cubed mangoes are not as sweet because they don’t wait when its fully ripened. If you use this, you might need to add some sugar, agave or any sweetner of choice.
- Frozen mangoes are not as sweet either. They are picked not at their peak of ripeness so your smoothie might need some type of sweetner.
Tips to make this smoothie recipe
Please don’t use ice. Using ice will make your smoothie watery. I like to make extra servings for breakfast for the following day and my smoothie retains its rich, creamy texture.
Use ripe mangoes. Usually, mangoes in the store are sold when they are not as ripe yet. Let it sit in your kitchen counter for a couple of days until you smell the sweet aroma coming from the fruit. Use your nose and smell it.
Peel and remove the mango flesh with a spoon.
Freeze cube mangoes ahead of time so you don’t use ice.
Chill all your ingredients before making smoothie.
If coconut milk is too intense for your taste, next time, you can use ½ coconut milk and ½ yogurt. You can always tweak this smoothie recipe to your liking.
Try other mango recipe
Recipe
Mango Smoothie
Ingredients
- 3 big ripe mango peeled, pit removed, cubed & frozen
- 1 small or medium banana chilled before blending
- ¾ cup coconut milk chilled
- 1 ½ cups almond milk chilled
Instructions
- In a high powered blender, combine frozen cubed mango, banana, coconut milk and almond milk.
- Use the smoothie program. This serves 3 tall glasses. Serve while cold. Refrigerate if not serving right away.
Notes
- I used Tommy Atkins mango and they are bigger compared to Ataulfo. Use 4 to 5 Ataulfo, if using this mango.
- Don’t use ice, it will make your smoothie watery. Use fresh frozen mango and chill other ingredients before making smoothie.
- After blending, you can chill for 15 minutes before serving.
- Put leftover smoothie in the fridge.
- When you buy mangoes at the store, they are usually not ripe yet. Let it sit in your kitchen counter for a few days until you smell the sweet aroma.
- More tips in the post above.
- Also, I have listed ingredient substitution in the post.
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