Do you like piña coladas? Getting lost in the rain? Not into yoga? Have half a brain? If yes, then you’ll probably enjoy this vegan piña colada smoothie recipe! Comprised of only 5 ingredients, this is an accessible and easy-to-make vegan smoothie, perfectly suited to sate the need for something cool, refreshing and creamy on warm days.
Where’s all the rum gone?
Typically, piña coladas traditionally contain rum – that oh so sweet alcoholic liquor fermented from cane sugar or molasses.
Personally, I don’t drink much alcohol, so I’m not sure if it would be good in this vegan piña colada smoothie, or if so how much to add and what kind of rum is best. However, if you want to experiment with a more adult version of this smoothie by adding it, I say go ahead!
If you are going to add rum to this smoothie, I do have some advice as to enhance the overall taste of the smoothie itself:
- Considering that rum is one of the most naturally sweet liquors there is, I would suggest using unsweetened varieties of both the coconut yogurt and the plant-based milk. That way, the sweetness from the rum can be counterbalanced by the unsweet of the other ingredients. This will ensure that the beverage will not be cloyingly sugary. Typically, it’s easy enough to find unsweetened versions of soy and almond milk, as well as coconut yogurt.
- If you’re set on adding rum to this, consider also adding additional lime juice, too. Much like the unsweetened yogurt and plant-based milk, the highly acidic juice from a lime will help to cut through the natural sugars from the rum.
I hope these tips and tricks prove helpful if you’re planning on spicing up this piña colada recipe with rum. Let me know if you have any other suggestions and/or advice, too.
Plant-based milks: the gist
If you’re not familiar with the plant-based milk market, then allow me to acquaint you: it’s a vast, blooming and highly competitive enterprise full of a variety of different choices, such as almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, oat milk, cashew milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, ect., ect. Basically, if you can soak the ingredient in water, blend it, and then strain it though a fine cloth, it can become a milk.
Plant-based milks come in all different flavors, levels of sweetness, textures, and fortifications (meaning some plant-based milks are fortified with vitamin D or b12). And to my knowledge, the price of plant-based milks is becoming more and more affordable each year as the demand increases.
My personal favorite plant-based milk is soy milk, since it has a high protein content, is exceptionally creamy, and is typically fortified with vitamin b12 or vitamin D. I understand that many people are wary of soy products due to the phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogen) that all soya contains, but this weariness about plant-based estrogen is not well founded: there has yet been any scientific studies that positively correlate phytoestrogens with an ill-effect on a person’s health. With that said, if you’re still unsure of soy, but want a creamy milk, I would recommend that instead you try oat milk or another plant-based milk that is not soy-based.
As it relates to this piña colada smoothie recipe, I used almond milk because it was what I had at the time, but any plant-based milk ought to do. Also, I decided not to use coconut milk – as would be traditional in a piña colada – because I personally don’t like drinking it straight; it’s very fatty and too thick for my taste.
But everyone is different, and so have different tastes and penchants for one plant-based milk over another. Discovering your favorite is best done through a series of trial and error, sampling various until you find the one that suits you to a tee. If you haven’t already, start by using this piña colada smoothie recipe as your first experiment!
Piña Colada Smoothie Recipe
If you’re looking for a tropical-themed drink with a vegan twist, then give this piña colada smoothie recipe a try! Kick your feet up in the shade, and let this refreshing, creamy drink whisk you away.
Enjoyed this piña colada smoothie recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating!
Piña Colada Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups plant-based milk, like soy, almond, oat, ect.
- Juice from two limes, about ⅓ cup
- 2 bananas, peeled
- 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
- ½ cup unsweetened plain coconut yogurt
- Lime zest and wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients together, and then pop in the freezer for 45 minutes or so, until slushy. Garnish with lime zest and a lime wedge!
Video
Nutrition
Also, check out my category, Beverages and Snacks, for more great and simple recipes like this one.
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May you have good food in good company,
That Vegan Nephew
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