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As much as I love my morning coffee, sometimes I just need something a little more exciting. That’s where this grapefruit smoothie comes in. It’s bright, refreshing, and packed with vitamin C to give my immune system a boost (because this working mama has no time to get sick!). It blends up in just five minutes—cleanup included—which is exactly the kind of easy win I need to jump-start my morning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You can find everything you need for this grapefruit smoothie right in the produce and freezer aisles—simple, fresh ingredients that blend up into something seriously delicious.
- Pink grapefruit (peeled): Brings bright, tangy flavor to the smoothie. You’ll find fresh pink grapefruit in the produce section, look for ones that feel heavy for their size for maximum juiciness.
- Frozen strawberries: Add natural sweetness and a vibrant color. Grab them in the frozen fruit aisle, and make sure they’re unsweetened for the healthiest option.
- Frozen peaches: Creamy and slightly sweet, peaches add a creamy texture and helps balance out the bitterness of the grapefruit. Find them in the frozen fruit section, either sliced or in mixed fruit packs.
- Banana: Adds natural creaminess and balances the tartness of the grapefruit. I usually grab a few ripe bananas, but if you want to freeze some for later, you can follow my how to freeze bananas guide.
How to Make a Grapefruit Smoothie
These grapefruit smoothies are so bright and refreshing. With a quick blend, you’ll have a creamy, citrus-packed drink that feels like sunshine in a glass:
- Add grapefruit, banana, and water to your blender.
- Blend until silky smooth so the grapefruit fully breaks down and the banana adds natural creaminess.
- Toss in the frozen strawberries and peaches.
- Blend one more time until cold, frosty, and creamy. Pour into a glass and enjoy right away.
Recipe Tips
Adjust the sweetness: If your grapefruit tastes especially tart, balance it with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
Storage tip: This smoothie is best enjoyed right after blending while it’s still cold and creamy. If you want to save it for later, pour it into a jar and freeze. When you’re ready to drink, thaw it in the fridge for a couple of hours or let it sit at room temp until slushy again.
Why Bitter Is a Good Thing
Bitter is one of the five core tastes, but most of us don’t get much of it in our diets. Embracing it can help support digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. Grapefruit, coffee, arugula, and even candied grapefruit peels all train your palate to appreciate bitter notes, and this smoothie is the perfect place to start since it balances tart grapefruit with naturally sweet fruits.
Smoothie Swaps and Add-Ins
Because grapefruit has such a strong, refreshing flavor, it’s the perfect base for experimenting. Use these ideas to boost nutrition or change up the flavor without losing that citrusy kick.
- Make it creamy: Toss in a scoop of Greek yogurt or a splash of coconut milk for extra creaminess.
- Protein power: Boost it with a scoop of your favorite protein powder. I love using my homemade protein powder blend.
- Add greens: Blending in a handful of spinach disappears right into the citrus flavor. If you’re using kale, start with a smaller handful since it has a stronger taste.
- Grapefruit swap: Any grapefruit works here: pink, white, or red, just keep in mind the flavor will shift slightly from tart to sweet.
Serving Suggestion
Makes one generous serving, which usually means one for me. Double the recipe if your kids catch you blending it or if you want to prep ahead.
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More Grapefruit Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re loving the bright, refreshing flavor of this grapefruit smoothie, you’ll love these other citrusy blends. They’re light, energizing, and loaded with fruit-fueled goodness to “rawk” your mornings.
- Fat Burning Smoothie combines grapefruit with powerhouse ingredients like green tea and chia seeds.
- Green Energy Smoothie is a perfectly balanced blend of pineapple, grapefruit and spinach.
- Inside Rawk the Year, I have two more grapefruit smoothies you can add to your blends in five minutes to make one serving hold on meal plans.
If you make this grapefruit smoothie, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Pink Grapefruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 pink grapefruit peeled
- ½ cup strawberries frozen
- ½ cup peaches frozen
- ½ banana peeled
- ¼ cup water optional
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add water, if needed.
- Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!
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Helpful Tools
Notes
- Tart factor: Grapefruit can lean tart depending on ripeness. If yours is extra zingy, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to balance it out.
- Frozen fruit: Using frozen strawberries and peaches keeps the smoothie cold and creamy without ice.
- Make ahead: Peel and segment the grapefruit in advance, then store in the fridge or freezer for quick smoothie prep during the week.
- Boost the nutrition: Blend in a scoop of protein powder or a handful of spinach—you won’t taste the greens, but you’ll get extra vitamins and minerals.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
Grapefruit pairs beautifully with berries (like strawberries and raspberries), tropical fruits (pineapple, mango, peaches), and even bananas for a creamy touch. Their sweetness helps balance grapefruit’s tart bite, making the smoothie taste bright but not overwhelming.
Yes! Grapefruits are fantastic in smoothies. They add a refreshing, citrusy zing that wakes up your taste buds. Plus, they’re naturally hydrating and help create a juicy base that blends well with other fruits.
Avoid mixing grapefruit with overly sour fruits like cranberries or super tart green apples. Pairing too much acidity together can make the smoothie sharp instead of refreshing. Stick with sweet or mellow fruits to balance the flavor.
Yes! Grapefruit smoothies pair well with mild greens like spinach or kale—they blend in without overpowering the flavor and add extra vitamins and minerals. You can also add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to make it more filling and nutritious.
Yummie. I made it without the protein powder and with the balanced sweet and tart taste it was perfect on a hot summer day.
Love that, Silke. Way to make it work for you.
Delicious and so easy to make, great protein kick start before the gym.
Thanks so much for the great feedback and I’m so glad you enjoyed it
Would it be okay to use grapefruit + orange to cut down on the sharp taste of grapefruit?
For sure, Olivia! Just keep in mind that this swap will not only make your smoothie a touch sweeter, but oranges are richer in calories, protein, and carbohydrates, including fiber and sugar – whereas grapefruits contain more fats and Vitamin A believe it or not.
Hi Jen
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I’ve always wanted to compliment you on your website, and your social media presence!!!!! Everything, and I mean (EVERYTHING) has always been so beautifully presented, so pleasing to the eye, and so very informative and helpful!
So Thank You for your hard work, Thank You for your care and concern, and Thank You for sharing the road to better health and the wealth of knowledge
Juanita P
This is such a fun idea for a smoothie! I love grapefruit, yet couldn’t figure out how to make it work in a smoothie. And what a gorgeous color.
I am not a fan of grapefruit, but you made this smoothie look so good that I am honestly considering giving it another chance! Do you think it has to be pink grapefruit? I feel like I usually see the yellow ones in my grocery store.
Great question! The pink version will be sweeter, while the yellow ones you see will be more tart to the taste. Totally up to your taste buds!