Banana Licuado {Mexican Smoothie}

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Licuados are a popular Latin American drink made by blending fruit, milk and ice. A fresh and light drink perfect for using up ripe fruit including bananas, strawberries, peaches and more.

Banana Licuado {Mexican Smoothie}

In this Post: Everything you need for Banana Licuado {Mexican Smoothie}


Unless you’ve read my About Page, you probably didn’t know my father spent a year attending college in Mexico where he became fluent in Spanish. Of course, this is also where he gained an affinity towards authentic Mexican cuisine which I am happy to say I have inherited. My husband? Not so much…. but that’s neither here nor there.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a banana licuado?

Commonly sold by street vendors, the licuado is a blended drink made-to-order with fruit, milk, ice and sugar. It differs from agua frescas which are sold pre-made in pitchers and made with fruit juice. Unlike the classic American smoothie, licuados are made with milk instead of yogurt. Who knew?
My mom made licuados for me and my sisters quite often when we were growing up. They were probably one of the first recipes I started making on my own once I could reach the blender. Cool, frothy and refreshing, licuados are the ideal healthy afternoon snack or dessert.

What fruits can you use in a licuado?

Banana is our favorite flavor but you can also use strawberries, peaches, cantaloupe and more. The key is to use the sweetest, most ripe fruit you can find for maximum flavor.

Your straw is waiting.

Banana Licuado {Mexican Smoothie}

Banana Licuado {Mexican Smoothie}

3.91 stars average
A fresh and light Latin American drink perfect for using up ripe fruit including bananas, strawberries, peaches and more.
PREP: 5 minutes
TOTAL: 5 minutes
PRINT RATE
Servings: 4

Equipment

blender
High Speed Blender

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • several handfuls of ice
  • nutmeg (optional garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Place milk, banana, sugar and ice in a high speed blender and pulse until smooth.
  • Pour in glasses and sprinkle with nutmeg before serving.

Notes

For a thicker consistency, use more ice.
Depending on the sweetness of fruit, you may need more or less sugar.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 19.8gProtein: 5.2gFat: 2.5gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 73mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 16.4g
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38 thoughts on “Banana Licuado {Mexican Smoothie}”

  1. Roberto

    It’s very good I recommend it to anybody that haven’t tried it,
    You can add cinnamon powder once served
    Or you can add chocolate syrup if you’re a chocolate lover.

    Reply
  2. J Quinonez

    I live in south Texas so these are pretty much everywhere. A childhood favorite so refreshing and sweet. I didn’t know it was so odd to have a milk smoothie I always thought that was the normal one and yogurt was the exotic one

    Reply
  3. Joanne

    A husband who doesn’t like mexican food?! Hmmm. Well he must have many other redeeming qualities, because that might have been a deal breaker for me. :P Thankfully the.boy does love Mexican food! Which is usually a good thing, but where these smoothies are concerned…I’m not sure I’d want to share!

    Reply
  7. Susan

    Oooooh! This sounds delicious! Even though I live on the border with Mexico in a city where 80% of the population is Hispanic, I’ve never heard of licuados before. I think I’ll make this for breakfast tomorrow, with a combo of banana and those ripe nectarines I’ve got (and add some protein powder for substance). Thank you for a great idea.

    Reply
      1. Susan

        Without even realizing what I was doing, this is what I made for breakfast this morning. I used half a banana and half a nectarine, and in the future would use a whole nectarine with half a banana. Would also try it with just banana. When I get home I’ll try it with banana & nutmeg (I don’t have it where I am and we spend little enough time here that it is not worth investing in nutmeg, which I already have at home). I also did put in a scoop of vanilla protein powder. You’ve done it again – another excellent recipe!

        Reply
  10. Jenn

    Yumm! Thank you, that was delicious! As much as I love greek yogurt, I always end up putting too much in smoothies, and end up adding too much sugar to compensate. Plain milk was really good. I blended some honey with a ripe banana, then added the milk and ice so it would incorporate the honey a bit better.

    Reply

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