Welcome spring with a vibrant green smoothie recipe! The Detox Island Green Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie is a nourishing blend of tropical fruits, greens, and fresh ginger. Since we don’t all have access to a Tropical Smoothie Cafe, this copycat recipe brings the flavors into your home.
Contents
A Tropical Smoothie Café Copycat
The Detox Island Green Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe has earned TikTok fame!
One drink, and you’ll understand why. This fruity smoothie starts with pineapple, mango, and banana, and then layers in dark leafy greens, grated fresh ginger, and coconut water.
It has a fruity, tropical flavor, with undertones of spicy ginger. Ginger is high in gingerol, a substance with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
The spinach and kale give it a lovely green color but aren’t really detectible in the flavor. Dark leafy greens are rich in vitamin V, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, which are important to replenish when you sweat.
The smoothie is packed with nutrient-dense ingredients and perfect for warm spring and summer days! It’s sweet flavor comes from natural ingredients – no added sugar necessary!
I recommend adding a plain (unflavored/unsweetened) protein powder to balance the carbs in this smoothie and make it more satiating and blood sugar stabilizing.
The first time I tried this smoothie, I instantly fell in love. By far my favorite smoothie at TSC! Unfortunately, there are no Tropical Smoothie Cafes in my state.
I love making copycat recipes at home. You have total control of the ingredients (extra ginger for me!), plus saving money is always a good thing. By making a homemade version, you also can add protein and fiber based on your needs – see ideas for smoothie boosters below!
Make this delicious smoothie for an energizing breakfast (make sure to add your protein!), or the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
What You’ll Need
- Frozen Banana (this gives the smoothie a great creamy texture! Ripe banana gives it a sweeter flavor, but using green bananas lowers the sugar content and increases resistant starch.)
- Frozen or Fresh Mango
- Frozen or Fresh Pineapple (the tropical fruit
- Baby Spinach (I keep my greens frozen so I always have them on hand. Fresh spinach is fine!)
- Kale
- Fresh Ginger Root (or more less depending on preference! Ginger powder works in a pinch.)
- Water, Coconut Water, Almond Milk, or Coconut Milk (choose based on your nutritional needs!)
- Ice Cubes – optional, will dilute flavor but give a thicker or colder texture (this is good to thicken a smoothie made with fresh fruit)
Tools: High-Speed Blender (I use a high speed Vitamix with a tamper stick to make extra thick smoothies. I’ve been using this blender almost daily for 6 years and it’s still going strong!)
Note on Ingredients:
If you like your smoothies really thick, be sure to freeze all the fruit the night before. This will make a thick smoothie or smoothie bowl that you can eat with a spoon, like sorbet!
Using fresh pineapple and mango will yield a thinner, more drinkable smoothie.
How to Make a Detox Island Green Smoothie
Step 1: Add the frozen fruit, greens, peeled ginger, and coconut water (or liquid of choice) to a blender. If adding superfoods or protein powders, throw them in also.
Step 2: Process the smoothie until very smooth and creamy. Taste, and adjust the flavor by adding additional ginger or additional banana or mango to amp up the sweetness. Adjust the thickness by adding more coconut water, if desired.
Variations & Smoothie Boosters
Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers a variety of supplements to add to your smoothie. In addition to the nutritious ingredients, I recommend adding protein powder and collagen.
Adding protein to a smoothie (especially one with lots of sweet fruit in it, like this one), slows down the digestion of the sugars, meaning it helps keep blood sugar balanced (no insulin spike!).
The Tropical Green Detox Smoothie, without any additions, is very high in carbohydrates. If using this as a meal replacement, adding protein and fiber is recommended!
Fiber supplements, like chia seeds and psyillium husk, are also great for blood sugar stabilization.
- Protein Powder (whey isolate is my favorite, but pea protein or a vegan protein powder can also be used)
- Collagen Powder (collagen is an incomplete protein. It helps with blood sugar stabilization and is good for hair, skin, and joint health. I do not count it towards my total protein for a meal.)
- Creatine (this widely studied and safe supplement is good for muscle development, but also for brain health!)
- Colostrum (I use this daily and credit it for my very good immune system!)
- Chia Seeds (fiber & omega 3s)
- Hemp Seeds (protein)
- Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese (protein and probiotics)
- Psyillium Husk (fiber)
- Avocado or MCT Oil (increase calories with healthy fats, if needed! Either add in 1/4 of a frozen avocado or add 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil while the blender is running.)
Other Copycat Smoothie Recipes
- Avocolada Smoothie (Tropical Smoothie Cafe)
- Orange Julius Smoothie
- Java Chip Mocha Frappucino Smoothie
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Smoothie
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Detox Island Green Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 banana quartered and frozen
- 1 cup mango fresh or frozen
- 1 cup pineapple fresh or frozen
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup kale chopped
- 1 inch ginger root peeled chunk of ginger (more or less to taste)
- 1/2-1 cup coconut water or sub water, almond milk, or coconut milk
Instructions
- Add the frozen fruit, greens, peeled ginger, and coconut water (or liquid of choice) to a blender. If adding superfoods or protein powders, throw them in also.
- Process the smoothie until very smooth and creamy. Taste, and adjust the flavor by adding additional ginger or additional banana or mango to amp up the sweetness. Adjust the thickness by adding more coconut water, if desired.
Notes
Variations & Smoothie Boosters
Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers a variety of supplements to add to your smoothie. For this smoothie, I recommend adding protein powder and collagen. Adding protein to a smoothie (especially one with lots of sweet fruit in it, like this one), slows down the digestion of the sugars, meaning it helps keep blood sugar balanced (no insulin spike!). Fiber supplements, like chia seeds and psyillium husk, are also great for blood sugar stabilization.- Protein Powder (whey isolate is my favorite, but pea protein or a vegan protein powder can also be used)
- Collagen Powder (collagen is an incomplete protein. It helps with blood sugar stabilization and is good for hair, skin, and joint health. I do not count it towards my total protein for a meal.)
- Creatine (this widely studied and safe supplement is good for muscle development, but also for brain health!)
- Colostrum (I use this daily and credit it for my very good immune system!)
- Chia Seeds (fiber & omega 3s)
- Hemp Seeds (protein)
- Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese (protein and probiotics)
- Psyillium Husk (fiber)
The ginger in this makes it!