Fruit Smoothie

The Fruit Smoothie is your reliable non-alcoholic blend, perfect for any time you want something refreshing and sweet without the booze. It’s a straightforward combination of fruit and juice, a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and hard to mess up. This drink satisfies a sweet craving with a vibrant, fruity profile, making it a solid choice for all ages.

Fruit Smoothie

4.53 from 23 votes

Calories: 128kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 8 oz Orange Juice
▢ 0.5 Cups(s) Raspberries
▢ 1 Sliced Banana(s)

Instructions

▢
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend at low speed. Pour into a highball glass. Garnish with raspberries. and serve.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 128kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 27g (9%)Sugar: 26g (29%)

Mocktail

Where it came from

Smoothies, as a concept, gained traction in the health food scene of the 1960s and 70s, particularly in California. This specific combination of orange, raspberry, and banana is a common, accessible blend, likely originating in home kitchens and juice bars rather than a formal cocktail setting. It’s a universal pick-me-up.

While not a traditional cocktail, it belongs to the broader family of blended fruit drinks. Its close relatives include milkshakes, lassis, or even the virgin versions of frozen daiquiris. What sets the Fruit Smoothie apart is its focus on fresh fruit and juice, often without dairy, creating a lighter, more vibrant profile.

You’ll find a Fruit Smoothie on the menu at breakfast diners, health cafes, juice bars, and poolside resorts. It’s the dependable choice for brunch when you’re skipping the mimosas, or as a family-friendly option that satisfies a sweet craving.

What it tastes like

On the first sip, the bright tang of orange juice hits, quickly followed by the tart burst of raspberries. The mid-palate introduces the creamy, mellow sweetness of banana, which smooths out the sharper fruit notes. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a pleasant, lingering fruit sweetness with no harsh edges.

This Fruit Smoothie is entirely non-alcoholic, meaning its ABV is 0%. It’s significantly less potent than a standard beer, which typically hovers around 5% ABV, and has none of the kick of a traditional cocktail.

The technique

Building this drink is straightforward. Combine all your ingredients in a blender. Start blending at a low speed to incorporate everything, then increase as needed until smooth. Pour the finished mixture into a highball glass, garnish with a few fresh raspberries, and serve it up quickly before it warms.

The single most important tip for any smoothie is to avoid overblending. Too much blending can introduce excess air, making the smoothie frothy and less dense than desired. It can also generate heat, warming the drink and compromising its refreshing chill. Blend just until the ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Orange Juice

Use: Freshly squeezed is always best for vibrancy. A good quality, not from concentrate carton orange juice is a reliable alternative.
Skip: Orange drink mixes or overly sweetened orange juice will make the drink taste artificial and syrupy, losing its fresh appeal.
Why: Orange juice provides the primary liquid base, delivering the essential sweet and tangy citrus notes that define the smoothie’s foundation.

Banana

Use: A ripe, but not overly soft, banana is ideal for sweetness and texture. Frozen banana slices can add extra chill and thickness.
Skip: Underripe bananas are too starchy and lack sweetness. Overripe bananas can impart an unwanted fermented flavor.
Why: Banana is crucial for adding creaminess and body to the smoothie, giving it a satisfying mouthfeel and natural sweetness without additional sugar.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Tropical Twist

A sunny escape with pineapple and coconut: Swap a portion of the orange juice for pineapple juice and add a splash of coconut milk for a creamy, tropical flavor profile.

Green Machine

Boost the nutrients without compromising flavor: Incorporate a handful of fresh spinach or kale into the blend. The banana and orange juice will mask the green flavor, adding nutrients without the bitterness.

Berry Blast

Double down on the berry goodness: Replace the orange juice with cranberry or apple juice and add a mix of frozen strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries for an intense berry experience.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Orange Juice?

Apple juice, pineapple juice, or a mix of water with a squeeze of lemon or lime can provide a similar liquid base, though the flavor profile will shift.

No Raspberries?

Strawberries, blueberries, or mixed frozen berries are excellent substitutes, offering similar tartness and color.

No Banana?

Mango or a small amount of avocado can provide a creamy texture, but will alter the overall flavor significantly.

No Blender?

Thoroughly muddle the fruit and vigorously stir with the orange juice. It won’t be smooth, but it will still be a refreshing fruit drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Fruit Smoothie?

A Fruit Smoothie typically contains orange juice, raspberries, and sliced banana.

Is a Fruit Smoothie healthy?

While it contains fruit, the sugar content can be high from the juice. It’s a better choice than many processed drinks, but moderation is key.

Can I add protein to a Fruit Smoothie?

Absolutely. Protein powder, Greek yogurt, or a scoop of nut butter are common additions to make it more filling.

Can I make a Fruit Smoothie ahead of time?

It’s best made fresh. If left too long, it can separate, and the texture may degrade.

How do I make a Fruit Smoothie colder?

Using frozen fruit, especially the banana, will make it colder and thicker. A few ice cubes can also be added to the blend.

What kind of glass is best for a Fruit Smoothie?

A highball glass is standard, but any tall glass or a sturdy tumbler works well.

Can I make this an alcoholic drink?

Yes, adding a shot or two of light rum, vodka, or even a fruit-flavored liqueur would turn it into a tropical cocktail.

What fruits go well in a smoothie?

Berries, bananas, mango, pineapple, peaches, and even leafy greens like spinach or kale are popular and work well in smoothies.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read

Banana(s), Designated Driver Drinks, F, F Smoothies, Frozen Mocktails, Mocktail Recipes, Orange Juice, Photo, Pregnancy-Safe Mocktails, Raspberries, Recipe

Fruit Smoothie

Fruit Smoothie

Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients

Instructions

Estimated Nutrition:

Where it came from

What it tastes like

The technique

Tell us what's in your cabinet.

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Ingredient Spotlight

Orange Juice

Banana

Three Variations

Tropical Twist

Green Machine

Berry Blast

What if I don't have…

Frequently Asked Questions

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23 thoughts on “Fruit Smoothie”