Why You’ll Love This Berry Coconut Smoothie

• It’s incredibly creamy without any dairy. The secret is the full-fat coconut milk, which whips up into a luxuriously smooth and frothy texture that honestly rivals any milkshake.
• The flavor is a perfect sweet-tart balance. The mixed berries bring a lovely zing, while the coconut and a hint of vanilla create a wonderfully tropical, mellow backdrop. It’s a flavor combo that never gets old.
• It’s a fantastic make-ahead option. You can prep freezer packs with the berries and spinach, so all you have to do in the morning is dump the pack into the blender, add your liquids, and blend. Morning efficiency at its finest!
• It’s easily customizable to your taste. Not a fan of bananas? Use avocado for creaminess. Want more protein? A scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder blends right in. This recipe is a wonderful template for your own creations.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries (like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1/2 ripe banana, previously peeled and frozen
• 1 large handful (about 1 cup) fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk (from a can, well-shaken)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or water)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Optional: 1 pitted Medjool date or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness

Tools: A high-speed blender is really helpful here.

The frozen banana is non-negotiable for that thick, creamy texture—it’s the magic ingredient! And using full-fat coconut milk instead of light makes all the difference in the world for richness. A little goes a long way. If your berries aren’t very tart, you might not even need the extra sweetener, so taste first!

Serves: 1 large or 2 smaller servings | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Why freeze the banana? This is the single best trick for a creamy smoothie. A frozen banana acts like ice cream, giving the smoothie body and a wonderfully thick, spoonable consistency without watering it down like ice cubes would. Peel and slice ripe bananas before freezing on a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to a bag.
• What if my coconut milk can has separated? That’s totally normal! Just give the unopened can a really good shake. If it’s being stubborn, scoop the solid cream and some of the liquid into a jar and whisk it together before measuring. You want that full, creamy integration.
• Can I use different greens? Absolutely! Baby kale works well, but it has a slightly stronger flavor. Spinach is truly the champion for beginners because you really can’t taste it—it just turns the smoothie a beautiful deep purple color.
• Is a high-speed blender essential? It definitely makes the job easier and creates a silkier texture, especially with the chia seeds and spinach. If you’re using a regular blender, you might need to blend a bit longer, stopping to scrape down the sides to ensure everything is perfectly smooth.

How to Make Berry Coconut Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Avocado Toast with Red Pepper Flakes — The creamy, fatty avocado and the spicy kick provide a lovely savory contrast to the sweet, cold smoothie, making it feel like a complete and balanced meal.
• A Soft-Boiled or Scrambled Egg — A simple source of protein on the side helps create a truly satisfying breakfast that will keep you full and focused all morning long.

Drinks

• A Hot Cup of Green Tea — The slight bitterness and earthy notes of the tea cleanse the palate and complement the fruity sweetness of the smoothie without competing with it.
• Sparkling Water with a Lime Wedge — The bubbles and citrus zip are incredibly refreshing alongside the rich, creamy texture of the coconut and berry blend.

Something Sweet

• A Small, Dark Chocolate Square — Let a piece of high-quality dark chocolate (70% or higher) slowly melt on your tongue after your last sip. The deep cocoa flavor is a surprisingly perfect finish.
• A Coconut Macaroon — Doubling down on the coconut theme is never a bad idea. A chewy, not-too-sweet macaroon feels like a natural extension of the smoothie’s flavors.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using only ice for thickness. Ice will indeed make your smoothie thick, but as it melts, it waters down the flavor dramatically. Using frozen fruit is the key to a thick, flavorful result that stays consistent.
• Mistake: Skipping the fat. Using all water or a very low-fat milk will leave you with a thin, less satisfying smoothie. The healthy fats in the coconut milk are crucial for texture and for helping you feel full.
• Mistake: Not blending long enough. Impatience is the enemy of a silky smoothie! I’ve messed this up before too… you think it’s done, but then you get a chunk of unblended spinach. Let the blender run for a full minute to ensure everything is perfectly smooth.
• Mistake: Adding too much liquid at once. Start with the recipe amounts. You can always add a splash more liquid if it’s too thick to blend, but you can’t take it out if your smoothie turns into soup.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make smoothie packs. Portion the frozen berries, banana, and even the spinach into individual zip-top bags and keep them in the freezer. In the morning, just dump the contents into the blender—it cuts down on prep time and mess.
• Tip: Boost the protein. For a more substantial meal, add a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored collagen peptides or protein powder. It blends in seamlessly and adds a major satiety factor.
• Tip: Turn it into a smoothie bowl. Use a bit less liquid to create an extra-thick consistency that you can eat with a spoon. Then, go wild with toppings like granola, sliced almonds, coconut flakes, and fresh berries for texture.
• Tip: Clean your blender instantly. The best hack? Right after pouring your smoothie, fill the blender pitcher halfway with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Blend for 30 seconds, rinse, and it’s clean. No scrubbing required!

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
You can, but the texture is best immediately after blending. If you must prep ahead, make it and store it in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend before drinking, as separation is natural. Honestly, for the best experience, I’d recommend the freezer pack method instead—prep the dry ingredients and blend fresh each time.

I don’t like bananas. What can I use instead?
No problem! The banana is mostly for creaminess and a touch of sweetness. A great substitute is 1/4 of a ripe avocado—it will give you that incredible creamy texture without a strong banana flavor. You could also try adding a bit more coconut milk or a tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt (dairy or non-dairy) for thickness.

My smoothie turned out too thin. How can I fix it?
It happens to the best of us! The easiest fix is to add more frozen fruit. Throw in a handful more frozen berries or even a few ice cubes and blend again. For future batches, just remember to use the frozen banana and maybe reduce the liquid by a tablespoon or two to start.

Is there a way to make this lower in calories?
Absolutely. You can use light coconut milk instead of full-fat, though the texture will be less rich. You could also use all water or unsweetened almond milk as the base and skip the optional sweetener. The smoothie will still be delicious and refreshing, just lighter.

Can I use fresh berries instead of frozen?
You can, but you’ll need to adjust. Using fresh berries will result in a much thinner smoothie. To compensate, you’ll definitely want to use a frozen banana and probably add a handful of ice cubes to get that desirable thick, slushy texture we’re after.