An instant vacation, this Pina Colada will transport your taste buds to a tropical island without having to pack a bag or book a ticket. Feel free to indulge any time you need a break from reality.
My love for smoothies is no secret so you can imagine my delight when I was asked to review BLEND, a new smoothie recipe eBook launched by my dear friends Alyssa from Everyday Maven and Faith from An Edible Mosaic. BLEND has been a labor of love for these two fellow smoothie-obsessed food bloggers whose common interest in artisanal smoothies and a shared desire to elevate smoothie-making. For the last year and a half, they’ve been developing recipes, photographing them, and of course, refining the flavors until they were just perfect.
BLEND comes in two eBooks which you can purchase individually or together in a bundle:
- Blend: The Basics gives tons of tips and tricks to help you make the most of your smoothies, including how to wash fresh produce, flash-freeze fruit, make sure your smoothies come together as quickly as possible without sacrificing their artisanal flavor (including info on how to put together a “smoothie kit”), and much more!
- Blend: Artisanal Smoothies for Food Lovers, Summer Volume 1 is a compilation of 25 summer and fall-themed smoothies such as Gingered Apricot, Minted Strawberry Melon, Vanilla Fig, and Concord Grape + Greens.
As you can see above in the Table of Contents, the smoothie recipes are divided into four brilliant categories: Indulgence, Fruit, Green and Coffee + Tea. I’m not sure about you but I plan to drink my way through this entire book. There is literally not a single smoothie that I don’t want to try… including this Sweet Green Goddess.
Another reason I love this eBook is that practically every single ingredient plant-based and full of vitamins and nutrients. There are no artificial sweeteners, chemicals you can’t pronounce or creepy fillers that you often find when you purchase those gigantic $6 smoothies at fast-food chains or in mall food courts. Instead, you find simple ingredients such as seasonal fruit, spices or natural sweeteners which are readily available and easy to find. Additionally, all recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan in most cases.
Another perk: no smoothie requires more than 5 minutes of your time. After all, the glory of the smoothie is the fact that it comes together in minutes to fit our hectic lifestyles. To help make this happen, BLEND: The Basics walks you through topics such as Blend Layering, How to Tell When Fruit is Ripe I Storing Fresh Herbs.
Since I’m 6 months pregnant and desperate for a cocktail, I decided to get my fix with this rich and indulgent Pina Colada Smoothie. The best part? It is 100% guilt free.
Your straw is waiting.
Pina Colada Smoothie
Ingredients
- ¾ cup canned light coconut milk
- ¾ cup cubed pineapple frozen
- ½ pieces medium banana peeled, chopped into 2 , and frozen
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 fresh cherry for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.
- Transfer to a serving glass and top with a cherry if desired; serve.
kelli weiss
i love many of Liz’s smoothies and a couple of her very healthy breads, but this particular one leaves somethining to be desired;
i used fresh pineapple, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, some honey(not needed), pinch of salt, frozen banana, but i don’t use any if these various powders as i eat very well, mostly fruit/veggies, and some protein, mostly cheese or fish ! so the smoothie was ok, but the apple, nana, pb is still my very favorite!! you’re the BEST!!
Liz DellaCroce
That’s interesting – i’m sorry you didnt enjoy it! Your combo sounds good to me (although i dont usually add salt to smoothies! interesting!! I will definitely try that!!)
Sharron Buyer
DefinitelyPina Colada!
Karen
I’d first try Almond + Joy!
Geordia Baynes
Definitely pina colada! My all-time fave ???? Vanilla fig smoothie sounds amazing too!
Kim
I LOVE Pina Colada! Peachberry Freeze would be next.
Liz DellaCroce
Ahhh so glad you liked it Kim!
Janet Mertz
Going with the coconut latte-I love that idea!
Stella
I absolutely love your website.. Great colors & theme.
Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create
my own personal website and would like to learn where
you got this from or just what the theme is called.
Thank you!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much!! I use WordPress – Genesis theme. Hope that helps!
Sally Tews
Strawberry Sunrise sounds and looks de-lish <3
Trying one tonight;-)
Sally Tews
I love strawberries~cherries,Think I will make the Pina Colada Smothie
with one of these~strawbrries sounds good.Yum,going to be good
topped with a cherry:-)
Liz DellaCroce
Enjoy Sally!
Sally Tews
The Pina Colada~I even bought cherries to put on top:-)
Liz DellaCroce
Enjoy – I hope you like it!
Laurie
I need to try this one, the Pina Colada Smoothie and then go down the whole list. I have been doing a juicing plan for the last three weeks!! I love it!! When I am done with the three weeks I am going to continue with juicing in the morning. It is amazing how much better I feel, and added bonus, lost some weight that I really need to get rid of!!
Sally Tews
Thanks for pinning~this could be my favorite;-)
Liz DellaCroce
Oh good I hope you enjoy it Sally!!
Aimee
It’s so hard to choose. It’s a tie between Almond & Joy and Sweet Green Goddess. I love smoothies!
Noel
Definitely the vanilla fig smoothie! It sounds unique and delicious.
Sunnymay
From the Indulgence section, I would make the Chocolate Cake Batter Smoothie first. It seems close to a concoction from Cold Stone Creamery where my girlfriend, Pat, got a BOGO free. She took half of hers home, because we got the bigger size as a treat. Mine had cake batter in it. So, you know how much I’m loving cake flavors.
ili
Mocha Coffee Chip
Kim C.
I would make a Coconut Latte!! I Love Faith and her blog is Amazing!! She is a Smoothie Genius!!
Kathie Rhodes
Minted Strawberry Melon is my pick. I grow mint, strawberries and melons as well as other good stuff in my garden.
Sally Tews
Pina Clada love all the nutrional food
Sally Tews
strawberry sunrise breakfast smoothie
Karen Lynch
I love Peaches and Cream so that would be high on my list.
Sally Tews
Pina Colada~but with booze:-)
I am NOT pregnant:-)
Gina Guthrie
Peaches + cream
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Aww, I want to enter! I’m technically a US resident so I guess I will. I’d make the cinnamon oatmeal cookie smoothie! :)
lisat
Mmmm! Mocha Coffee Chip would be the first one I would try.
Lisa
I’d make the Sweet Green Goddess first. I make fruit smoothies for myself and my kids quite often, but have never incorporated greens into them. I’d like to start with one that’s been tweaked to deliver not just nutrition but delicious flavor.
Sally Tews
The Pna Colada~yum:-)
Dave @ Fit Chef Chicago
Looks delicious! Great post and photos! Love a healthy, coconut smoothie!
Jennifer romanchick
Omg. Coconut latte!!! <3 the sound of that…
Barbara | Creative Culinary
This smoothie looks great and I’m sure the book is a treasure trove. I stayed away from the notion of smoothies because the green kind just don’t appeal but I’m open to change since making one I love!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh good – I’m glad to hear that Barbara!! There are so many great ones in here that don’t have ANY greens!
Heather
Yum! I am definitely making this Pina Colada recipe, and having a mini “stay-cay” whenever I need one! ;)
As far as the next one – Chocolate Cake Batter – um, yes puh-leeeeease!!
I could justify drinking both on my stay-cay, right?? ;D
Brian
This smoothie, Pina Colada Smoothie, takes me back to long summer visits to PR and the Virgin Islands. There you could stop at almost any beach and get a ice cold coconut milk right from the coconut that vender would sale as you walked on the beach for fun in the sun. This is a must try, I can feel the breeze rushing over my body and sipping on a Pina Colada. Thanks for Sharing, Liz
Marcia
Vanilla Fig sounds like such an interesting flavor combo….I’ve gotten into balsamic vinegar infused with fig and its so good….this sounds great! Love this giveaway!
Mackenzie {SusieFreakingHomemaker}
Um, I saw this sinking cherry photo and HAD to come see what this was all about! Pina Coladas are a favorite at our house!! These sound awesome, add in the fact that they are actually good for me and I’m really sold!
Liz DellaCroce
I know!! So often pina coladas are just full of creepy sugary mixes – I love this fresh version!!! Guilt free!!
Debbie Rademaker
sweet green goddess looks fabulous. I’m just getting into smoothies
Lynda M.
I would make chocolate cake batter first – yum!
KL
I would make a vegetable one
Marsha A.
They all look great it is hard to pick. The first one that I would try is the gingered apricot.
Aggie
Honestly, I would happily enjoy one of those pina colada smoothies any day! I am so excited for these girls and their book, I hope I win! :)
Sally Tews
Definately making the Pina Colada.
Cherry Berry sounds good too.
Leah
The Vanilla Fig sounds amazing! All of these recipes would be amazing to try though!
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon
For sure, the peanut butter and jelly one. Instant love!
Felecia Crull
I would really love a Smoothie book for inspiration!
Camilla @ Culinary Adventures
The Kiwi Lime Kale sounds amazing! But, I’m a kale nut…
Beth Kroger
double tea blackberry pear! YUMMO!!
Tim
Most intrigued by Double Dark Berry + Grape.
Terri Cole
Wow, they all look so good! I think the Black forest Coffee is calling my name though…
Linda C
Almond + Joy. Obviously! Cause sometimes you feel like a nut….
Betsy
I would try the chocolate cake batter first.
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
Liz – thank you so much for the thorough review! It is an honor because I know how much you love smoothies. xoxoxo
Liz DellaCroce
You got that right sista!! Cheers to smoothie love!
Eileen T
I would make Sweet Green Goddess first. I love green smoothies!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
Delicious!!! Must check out this book!
Liz DellaCroce
You would love it Robyn!!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Oh my! I definitely want to get down on this guy! Love me some pina-izzle!
Liz DellaCroce
Best. Comment. Ever.
Cindy Muller
I would make the vanilla fig smoothie first and then combine the peaches and cream with the gingered apricot (because I have fresh peaches & love ginger anything)!
Heidi
I would certainly make the peanut butter and jelly smoothie first, because, really, I’m just a huge 10 yr. old inside.
Liz DellaCroce
Aren’t we all? :)
Faith
Liz, thank you so much for your beautiful review…we are honored to have you reviewing our book! I am so happy you’re enjoying the smoothies, the Pina Colada is one of my favs! :)
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much for the opportunity Faith! This book is so inspiring and beautiful. :)
Scarlett
Definitely making this Pina Colada! Looks yummy! I love Pina Coladas! I would also love to make the Minted Strawberry Melon, Banana Nut Bread & Carmel. Mmmmmm!
jacquie
the cherry berry
Leslie
There are soooo many that look delish…It would have to be Almond Joy first though! Thanks for the giveaway this book looks like a great gift for my family!
Laurie {SimplyScratch}
I only have a few smoothie flavor-combos I make and I’m always at a loss for new ones! These books are pretty freakin’ cool! I think I’d start with gingered apricot… for sure! Congrats Faith and Alyssa for putting together such incredible books!
steph@stephsbitebybite
Thick, creamy, and tropical! YUM
Liz DellaCroce
My favorite descriptive words!
Geri Root
Concord Grape+Greens
Liz DellaCroce
That sounds good to me too!!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen
Gorgeous smoothie, girl! Love all the flavors and good nutrition, here. Thanks for sharing, Liz! Pinning! xo
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Stacy! Enjoy!