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Whenever I'm craving a sweet treat that won't wreck my healthy habits, this colorful mango and strawberry blend hits the spot. You get a burst of sunny mango and mellow berry flavors that make every sip super refreshing. It's the best way to cool off on a bright day.
As soon as my blender comes out, my kids start lining up for this cool layered drink. It's their favorite partly because of those pretty stripes. Now it's a house classic.
Tasty Ingredients
- Frozen strawberries: these make the top thick and creamy just look for ones that aren't stuck together for a smooth color
- Filtered water: thins out the mango mix if it's too thick and leaves no weird flavors
- Frozen mango chunks: your secret to a creamy, tropical base be sure to use really ripe pieces
- Orange juice: wakes up each fruity layer and adds zing always go for a smooth pulp-free kind
- Honey or sugar (optional): perfect when your berries aren't quite sweet enough local honey is my favorite swap-in
Simple Steps
- Chill and Serve:
- Toss in a straw and enjoy while the smoothie’s super cold. If you wait the layers will swirl together for a pretty sunset look.
- Pour On Strawberry:
- Spoon the strawberry mix gently over your mango so both glasses have the same amount. You can create soft swirls or keep the layers separate for a striped effect.
- Prep the Strawberry Mix:
- Give your blender a quick rinse. Add frozen strawberries with the orange juice and a bit of honey or sugar if you like it sweeter. Blend it up until the berries are gone and it’s nice and pourable. Splash in more juice as needed.
- Blend the Mango Base:
- Drop mango, orange juice, and water in your blender bowl. Go on high speed until it's velvety smooth. If it's chunky add another pour of juice or water. That'll make it easier to pour and layer.
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Mango is really what makes this drink silky and rich. I first tried this two-tone style for my niece's birthday brunch. She took one look and told me it was the prettiest drink ever—gone in a flash before I could even snap a picture.
Best Ways To Store
For those bold colors and frosty texture, try to drink this right after you make it. If you want to prep ahead keep the two blends in separate sealed jars in the fridge—good for a day. You can even freeze leftovers into popsicle molds for a quick treat later.
Swap Options
If you’re out of orange juice, pineapple juice is a fun tangy twist or try coconut water for something lighter. To make it extra creamy toss in some Greek yogurt instead of juice. Agave syrup can replace honey if you want it vegan.
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Fun Ways To Serve
Dress them up with colorful straws and a slice of fruit on the rim. If you’re hosting, double up the batch and let everyone build their own layers with a fun smoothie bar.
Inspiration & Background
Bright fruit drinks with stacked layers get their flair from Caribbean and Latin American smoothie styles where mangoes and berries are favorites. The bold stripes always make it feel like a party.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I make it with fresh fruit instead of frozen?
Totally! Just toss in some fresh strawberries and mango with a bit of ice to chill it and give it that frosty texture.
- → Any tips for making neat layers?
Blend each fruit with juice by itself, then carefully pour one mixture over the other and keep both as thick as possible for clear layers.
- → What else can I swap for orange juice?
If you're out of orange juice, grab pineapple or apple juice—they'll give you the same sweet tangy kick.
- → How do I make it creamier?
Spoon in some yogurt to either fruit blend or swap a bit of the juice for yogurt to get that extra-silky feel.
- → How can I make it more or less sweet?
If your fruit's not quite sweet enough, stir in a splash of honey or some sugar—or just skip it if you want a lighter taste!