Cold Drinks

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Ice in a smoothie is a compromise: it chills, but the moment it melts you are drinking pink water. Frozen fruit does the same job without diluting anything, which is why the bananas are worth slicing and freezing ahead. Frozen banana is exactly what gives a smoothie that creamy density.

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Strawberry Banana Smoothie — the finished dish
Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Servings
2
Level
Easy
Per serving
210 kcal

Ingredients

  • What to use instead

    Plant milk and coconut yogurt give the same result, with a slightly nutty edge to the flavour.

Makes: about 600 ml, 2 glasses

Method

  1. Step 1: Freeze the banana ahead

    Slice a ripe banana into coins and freeze for at least 3 hours. It is the simplest route to a thick smoothie that contains no ice at all.

  2. Step 2: Liquid goes in first

    Pour the milk and yogurt into the blender jug before any fruit. Liquid at the bottom catches the blades and stops the mixture seizing.

  3. Step 3: Add the frozen fruit

    Add the strawberries and banana. The rule of thumb: roughly as much frozen fruit by weight as liquid.

  4. Step 4: Blend until smooth

    Run it for 40–60 seconds, starting slow and finishing at full speed. Blending much past a minute and a half warms the mixture, which defeats the point.

  5. Step 5: Adjust the texture

    If the blender labours, add 30 ml of milk; if it is too loose, add a few more frozen berries. Never add ice — that is the exact problem we set out to avoid.

  6. Step 6: Taste and pour

    Add honey only if the berries are sharp; a ripe banana often makes it unnecessary. Pour into glasses and drink straight away, while it is cold and thick.

Tips & variations

  • Tip

    Fresh strawberries work, but then cut the milk to 80 ml or the smoothie comes out as thin as juice.

  • Variation

    A spoonful of rolled oats makes it substantially more filling and turns it into an actual breakfast.

  • Swap

    Plant milk and coconut yogurt give the same result, with a slightly nutty edge to the flavour.

  • Storage

    Smoothies are made to be drunk at once; within an hour they separate. Freeze leftovers in an ice tray and blend them into the next one.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving and for the whole dish
1 serving Whole dish 2 servings
Energy210 kcal420 kcal
Protein9 g18 g
Fat4 g8 g
Carbohydrates35 g70 g

Approximate values calculated from standard ingredient data.

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