Strawberry and Apple Creamy Fruit Punch/Smoothie

Strawberry and Apple Creamy Fruit Punch/Smoothie

This recipe yields a vibrant, sweet, and creamy drink, perfect for a hot day or as a refreshing treat. The combination of fresh strawberries and crisp apples provides a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Yields: Approximately 6-8 servings (about 2 liters) Prep time: 15 minutes Chill time (optional): 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Smoothie Base:

  • 2 cups (about 300g) fresh strawberries, hulled
  • 1 large red apple (like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk (dairy or non-dairy like almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk)
  • 1 cup (240ml) chilled water
  • ½ cup (120g) plain yogurt (dairy or non-dairy, full-fat or low-fat work well)
  • ¼ cup (60g) granulated sugar, or to taste (adjust based on sweetness of fruit and preference)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but enhances flavor)
  • 1 cup ice cubes (for blending to make it slushy and cold)

• For Garnish/Added Texture:

  • ½ cup (about 75g) fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
  • ½ large red apple, peeled, cored, and finely diced (smaller pieces are better for drinking)

Equipment:

• Blender (preferably high-powered)
• Large pitcher
• Serving glasses

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fruits:

   • Wash and hull the 2 cups of strawberries designated for the base.
   • Wash, peel, core, and roughly chop the large apple for the base.
   • Wash and thinly slice the ½ cup of strawberries for garnish.
   • Wash, peel, core, and finely dice the ½ large apple for garnish. To prevent browning, you can toss the diced apples lightly with a teaspoon of lemon juice, though for immediate consumption, it might not be strictly necessary.

2. Blend the Smoothie Base:

   • In a powerful blender, combine the hulled strawberries (2 cups), roughly chopped apple (1 large), milk, chilled water, plain yogurt, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract (if using).
   • Add the ice cubes to the blender.
   • Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no large chunks of fruit remaining. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired, adding more sugar if needed.

3. Combine and Assemble:

   • Pour about two-thirds of the blended smoothie mixture into your large pitcher.
   • Add the sliced strawberries and diced apples (the garnish portions) directly into the pitcher with the smoothie.
   • Gently stir the mixture in the pitcher to distribute the fruit pieces evenly. This creates the beautiful visual effect seen in the image.
   • Pour the remaining one-third of the blended smoothie mixture into the pitcher and stir again. This helps ensure the fruit pieces are suspended throughout the drink, rather than all sinking to the bottom.

4. Serve:

   • Pour the prepared fruit punch/smoothie into individual serving glasses. Make sure each glass gets a good amount of the fruit pieces.
   • Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations:

• Adjust Sweetness: The sweetness will depend on the ripeness of your fruit. Always taste before serving and adjust the sugar. You can also use honey, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute.
• Thicker Consistency: For a thicker smoothie, reduce the amount of water or milk, or add more ice and frozen fruit (like frozen strawberries). You could also add a ripe banana to the blend for extra creaminess and sweetness.
• Thinner Consistency: If the punch is too thick, add a little more water or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
• Add Other Fruits: Feel free to experiment with other fruits like peaches, mangoes, or bananas in the blend or as garnish.
• Creaminess Boost: For an extra creamy texture, you can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese to the blend.
• Make Ahead: While best served fresh, you can prepare the blended base ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the fresh fruit pieces just before serving to maintain their texture.
• Chilling: For an extra refreshing drink, chill the assembled punch in the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and homemade Strawberry and Apple Creamy Fruit Punch/Smoothie!