OK, I’m officially starting a club for people who shamelessly enjoy cold drinks in the winter. I’m talking iced coffee, frappuccinos, and ice cream (not technically a drink, but you get my point). Every once in a while I find myself at the Starbucks drive-thru in a ridiculously long line, ordering some frosted coffee drink, then chugging it down in my car with the heat cranked up.
Smoothies are no exception to this little habit. I usually enjoy them made with frozen berries during the off season. But since grapefruits are at their peak now (hello, January!), how about a winter grapefruit smoothie on me?
You’re sure to love this easy-to-make drink! It’s just the right amount of sweet, with a creamy texture and a hint of tartness from the grapefruit and apple cider.
If it’s cold where you are, whip this up, sit by the fireplace, and pretend you’re on a tropical island. And if it’s warm where you are (lucky you), then just enjoy the cool and refreshing taste!
Ingredients for winter grapefruit smoothie
- Red grapefruit – The star of the show: choose one that feels heavier than it looks, with smooth skin and a deep color. When you squeeze the grapefruit, it should feel firm all around. Basically, pick one that gives you the urge to throw it like a baseball (or is that just me?) This means it’s nice and ripe.
- Frozen mango chunks – For a tropical vibe, we’re using 1/2 cup of frozen mango chunks. I like the ones Trader Joe’s carries; they’re relatively cheap with a great flavor.
- Frozen overripe banana: Bananas are the foundation of this nice, creamy drink. If you’re not fond of them, don’t worry, they won’t overpower the flavor of the smoothie.
- Greek yogurt: For extra creaminess; to make this drink vegan, I suggest using coconut yogurt.
- Apple cider: I usually use a plant-based milk in smoothies, but old-fashioned apple cider really gives a sweet and tart taste. If you can’t find apple cider, use natural apple juice.
Health benefits of grapefruit
This bright, round citrus fruit has a whole host of health benefits; to name a few:
- Contains vitamins A & C
- Full of antioxidants
- Immunity boosting
- Hydrating with a 92% water content
- Nutrient dense but low in calories
How to peel and segment a grapefruit
The most important part of segmenting a grapefruit is to get rid of the pith. AKA the thick white part with an unpleasant bitter flavor. AKA the part that tastes nasty as hell. Even though it’s supposedly good for you (so are banana peels but I ain’t eating those either), you don’t want any of it in your smoothie.
To properly peel and segment a grapefruit, set it on a stable cutting board. It’s best to use a sharp knife. Start by slicing off both ends of the fruit, then set it so it lays flat (see pictures below). Now, use the knife to peel thin pieces of the pith off the grapefruit, until there remains as little as possible. From here, you can start slicing it into segments and removing seeds/little bits of pith as you go. Once you’ve done this, they’re good to use in your smoothie.
How to make a winter grapefruit smoothie
- Add banana, mango, grapefruit, and Greek yogurt in a blender.
- Pour in the apple cider. I start with a 1/4 cup but you can add or reduce depending on how thick you like your smoothies.
- Blend until smooth. That’s it!
Other superfood recipes…
Winter Grapefruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 medium overripe banana sliced and frozen
- 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 red grapefruit peeled and segmented
- 2 spoonfuls Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup apple cider plus more (or less) based on how thick you want your smoothie
Instructions
- Add banana, mango, grapefruit, and Greek yogurt to blender.
- Pour in 1/4 cup apple cider, then blend until smooth. You can add a bit more apple cider and blend until smoothie is your desired consistency. Pour into glasses and serve ice cold.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are an estimate.
- For a vegan version, I suggest using coconut yogurt.
- Make sure whatever banana you use is overripe (meaning very spotted)
How much grapefruit?
Hi, Rachel. You’ll just need 1 red grapefruit to make a normal serving