This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
For this island tropical smoothie recipe, I’ve included an array of tropical fruits and coconut water blended with a big handful of spinach. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to have a frosty glass of this island green smoothie poolside? And maybe a paper umbrella… Def a paper umbrella.
Our senses of smell and taste have the magical power to transport us directly back to any memory. It’s amazing. This tropical smoothie recipe does that for me. I love traveling to tropical places and spending plenty of time at the beach. I’m a California girl living in Florida, yet I’ll never tire of the ocean!
Take a mini-vacay to the beach with this delicious island green tropical smoothie recipe!
Table of Contents
How to Make an Island Green Smoothie
I’ve mentioned before that I don’t typically limit my fruit intake. I enjoy fruit when I’m in the mood as part of a well-rounded, healthy diet.
I know that’s not always the case for everyone. Those who need to watch their blood sugar should consult with a medical professional before blending.
In any case, I love using fruit to sweeten my smoothies – no processed sugar needed! Fruits like banana and pineapple are naturally sweet and really add a tropical punch to this smoothie. Read on to see just why they’re better for you than refined sugars.
Tropical Smoothie Ingredients
If you’re new to green smoothies, your tastebuds will go through a little adjustment phase as they recalibrate towards the natural sweetness of fruit and other flavors. Some smoothies will taste sweeter than others. If you’re someone who has a sweet tooth, start by blending smoothies made with tropical fruits. Look no further than the tropical beverage below to satisfy the sweetest of sweet teeth!
Tropical fruit adds the most sweetness to smoothies due to their higher sugar content. Lower sugar fruits include berries, bananas, stone fruits, apples, and pears. They are also sweet, but not as sweet as tropical fruit.
As your tastebuds adjust and when you’re ready, start blending other fruits. You’ll find that all fruit starts to taste sweeter and more flavorful now that sugar isn’t masking the other flavors. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself craving a daily dose of leafy green goodness.
Fruit Sugar vs. Refined Sugar
While it’s true that refined or processed sugars digest quickly and totally cause those icky blood sugar spikes, the sugar we ingest with fruit is completely different.
Fruit isn’t just full of sugar. With the natural sugar in fruit comes plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, etc., etc., not to mention dietary fiber.
Fiber is our friend.
Dietary fiber helps prevents blood sugar spikes by slowing things down as they move down the line so your body can absorb the nutrients at an even keel. You will stay full for longer and that same dietary fiber will help with keeping you, ahem – regular.
Give your body a natural reset through whole food
Brace yourself. I’m going to say a word that scares some who are new to plant based eating – detox.
If you’re looking for an easy way to detox daily, then the island green tropical smoothie recipe below is a great one to get blending.
Four times each year, I promise myself I’ll hit the reset button on my eating habits. I consciously make the choice to eat in ways, for short periods of time, that give my body the best of what plants have to offer. Part of that involves green smoothies of course! The nutrient + fiber rich greens do wonders to cleanse my body in a gentle, yet effective way.
If you’re ready to hit that reset button along with me, check out one of my Seasonal Cleanses. They are purely food based, no fancy-fancy pills or powders. You can cook and blend along with me, seeing results that I enjoy too – like better sleep, better skin and better energy.
FAQs
With a good dose of dietary fiber and a whopping 168 mg of Vitamin C, we sure think so! Yet, I know some rawkstars might need a bit less fruit sugar when blending. If that’s you, be sure to check out our Low Sugar Fruits for Smoothies.
Great question! Depending on the greens you use in your smoothies, you can end up taking in higher amounts of oxalates, which in turn may cause kidney stones. While this doesn’t happen often, if it’s something you’re concerned about we def recommend staying hydrated with good water and rotating your greens. Changing up your greens on the regular helps to keep from building up any one particular nutrient in your body and ensures you get a wide variety of all those oh-so-good for you vitamins, minerals and more.
Most of us don’t take in healthy fruits and veggie as often as we should. Using smoothies are an amazing way to up the intake of the good stuff. When I blend, I’m keeping all the fiber in with my veg + fruit, which helps clear out anything bad my body is holding onto. It’s a great way to detox gently.
More Island Tropical Smoothie Recipes
So now do I have you feeling all the tropical island feels??? If you’re ready for more vacation-worthy smoothies, be sure to give these a blend:
- Vegan tropical smoothie
- Tropical smoothie bowl
- Healthy margarita smoothie
- Piña colada smoothie
- Dragon fruit smoothie bowl
- Perfect pineapple smoothie
Where would you like to be sipping these tropical smoothies: beach or poolside? Drop a comment below to let us know!
Island Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup coconut water unsweetened
- 1 orange peeled
- ½ cup pineapple
- ½ cup mango
- ½ banana
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- BLEND spinach, coconut water, and orange together until smooth.
- ADD remaining fruit and blend again.
Equipment
Notes
- Use at least one frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold or serve over ice.
- May swap out coconut water with regular water, if preferred.
- To reduce sweetness, substitute avocado for banana.
- Swap out spinach for the leafy greens of your choice.
Great flavor combination, the natural sweetness makes you forget its healthly.
Yes! The natural sweetness makes you forget all about the green leafy stuff!
Absolutely love this smoothie. The orange/citrus adds a little something that makes the taste incredible. This will be in heavy rotation for me.
You’re so right, Joi! The orange def makes this one special!
A Tropical Oasis in Every Sip!
Indulging in the Island Green Smoothie was nothing short of a blissful escape to a tropical paradise. From the moment I took my first sip, I was transported to a sun-kissed beach with the gentle rustle of palm leaves in the background. This smoothie is a masterpiece, perfectly balancing health and indulgence.
The lush green hue of the Island Green Smoothie immediately caught my eye, promising a nutrient-packed experience. As I tasted it, I was pleasantly surprised by the harmonious blend of fresh spinach, juicy oranges, hydrating coconut water, sweet pineapple, succulent mango, and creamy banana. Each ingredient seemed to play a vital role, creating a medley of flavors that was both invigorating and satisfying.
The spinach, a powerhouse of nutrients, added a subtle earthiness that melded seamlessly with the sweetness of the fruits. The burst of citrus from the oranges added a zesty kick, perfectly complemented by the tropical sweetness of pineapple and mango. The banana provided a creamy texture, while the coconut water not only enhanced the overall taste but also infused the smoothie with a refreshing tropical essence.
One of the standout features of this smoothie was its refreshing quality. It felt like a revitalizing elixir, especially on warm days, instantly quenching my thirst and revitalizing my senses. The smooth and velvety consistency made it a delight to drink, and the tropical aroma was as invigorating as the taste itself.
Beyond its delectable taste and texture, the Island Green Smoothie boasts an impressive nutritional profile. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it’s a wholesome choice for anyone looking to boost their immune system and energy levels. Whether you’re a health-conscious individual or simply someone in search of a guilt-free indulgence, this smoothie caters to all tastes and preferences.
This Island Green Smoothie is a tropical oasis in every sip. Its delightful combination of fresh ingredients, coupled with its health benefits, makes it a must-try for smoothie enthusiasts and health aficionados alike. Prepare to be transported to a paradise of flavors with this exquisite blend – it’s not just a drink; it’s a tropical adventure for your taste buds!
Thanks for such an awesome review, Sarah! I really appreciate how thorough you are!!
I have always been hesitant to try coconut water. But this smoothie was excellent! (And I survived the coconut water!)
Glad you survived the coconut water, Susan!
The Island Green Smoothie tastes amazing! The rich coconut and tropical fruit flavors blend beautifully to invigorate your taste buds and create an island party in your mouth. I will definitely blend this glorious green concoction again and again only this time I’ll add a little drink umbrella to my glass!
Island party in your mouth is right, Diane! I may have to use that in the description on this one!
Good with the orange flavor, but yesterday’s was definitely a creamier option.
The orange flavor is def the star in this recipe, Crystal!
A very nice light smoothie that made a wonderful breakfast! I added a whole banana and used prickly pear cactus water instead of coconut. I added protein powder, some chia seeds and flaxseeds too. Another recipe worth adding to my rotation of smoothies.
Oooohhh I bet the prickly pear cactus water turned out great in this one!
Following your recipes is so much better than my usual dump stuff in the blender. This smoothie is super creamy. Delicious!
Yayy!! I love to hear that, Michelle!
Super refreshing and delicious!! Love the flavor combination of all the fruits!
This one is definitely an interesting mix of the fruits used, Sara!
Loved the colour and the sweetness of the orange coming through on this one.
Hi Sylvia! I think the orange really makes this one for sure!
Delicious! I really enjoy the slight coconut flavor of coconut water.
I think the coconut water def gives this one the “island vibes”, Katie!
Very delicious smoothie!! I may have to add this recipe to my list of favorites!!
Def add this one to your faves, April!
Another great smoothie to add to my favorites. Love the addition of the orange but will likely sub avocado for the banana next time. This will cut the sweetness but still keep the creaminess.
Yes! The avocado will def cut the sweetness but keep the creaminess!
Refreshing and definitely feeling the island vibes! Adding this to my regular rotation.
Love that this one will be in your regular rotation, Carissa!
So refreshing and tropical. Love the fresh orange and coconut water. Very hydrating
Hydrating is right, Deb!
I really like the coconut water base. I tried to research coconut water and purchase a highly rated one. The addition of an orange to the spinach, banana, mango and pineapple really changed the flavor profile. I added superfood seeds; hemp, flax, chia as well as maca and protein powder. Super satisfying and tasty!
Sounds like you made this one amazing, Laurie!