Lychee Smoothie (Litchi Smoothie) is a refreshing breakfast drink made using fresh or canned lychees, yogurt, and a few other simple ingredients. Serve it for breakfast or as a pre or post-workout drink (gluten-free, vegetarian).
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About Lychee Smoothie (Litchi Smoothie)
Lychee Smoothie (Litchi Smoothie) is a refreshing and healthy drink made with lychees, milk, yogurt, and honey. It is perfect for summer days or any time you need a cool and refreshing beverage.
Lychees are a type of fruit that is native to China. They are small, red fruits that have white flesh inside. Lychees are sweet and have a floral flavor.
This gluten-free smoothie recipe is easy to make and can be enjoyed by everyone. You can easily double or triple the recipe if making it for a crowd.
Here are some more smoothie recipes that you may like
- Mango Magic Tropical Smoothie
- Tropical Dragon Fruit Smoothie
- Berry Blast Smoothie
- Pineapple Banana Smoothie
- Tropical Green Goddess Smoothie
- Watermelon Smoothie
- Banana Cinnamon Smoothie
- Kiwi Quencher Tropical Smoothie
- Strawberry Banana Yogurt Smoothie
- Blueberry Bliss Tropical Smoothie
Health Benefits Of Lychee
Lychees are not only delicious, but they also offer some health benefits. They are a good source of Vitamin C, copper, and fiber. Lychees are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Some other health benefits of lychees include:
- Boosting immunity
- Aiding digestion
- Improving cardiovascular health
- Reducing stress levels
- Detoxifying the body
Ingredients
Banana – Bananas make this smoothie thick and filling.
Lychee – I prefer to use fresh lychees to make the smoothie but if they are not easily available, then you can use canned lychees or frozen lychees too.
Yogurt & Milk – Use whole milk (full-fat milk) and full-fat yogurt to make a creamy and rich smoothie. Having said that, feel free to use low-fat milk and yogurt for a healthier version.
Replace dairy milk and yogurt with plant-based ones for a vegan version.
Orange Juice – It is used to thin down the smoothie and make it refreshing. You can choose to skip it.
You can also replace it with coconut water, apple juice, lychee juice, or pineapple juice for a taste change.
Vanilla – Use a good quality vanilla extract to flavor the smoothie.
Honey – I used honey to sweeten the smoothie, but feel free to use any sweetener of your choice. Use maple syrup or agave nectar for vegan.
How To Make Lychee Smoothie
Add
- 1 large banana (peeled, sliced, and frozen)
- 10-12 lychees (peeled, seeded, and frozen)
- ½ cup chilled plain yogurt
- ½ cup chilled milk
- ¼ cup chilled orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon honey
to the jar of a blender.
Note – If the frozen fruits are too hard, then thaw them for 5 minutes for easy blending.
Blend until smooth.
Add some more milk or orange juice if the smoothie is thick for your liking. Check for sweetness and add more honey if needed.
Pour the smoothie into serving glasses and serve chilled. You can add a few ice cubes to the glasses too.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re looking to freeze lychees, then there are a few different methods you can use.
One method is to place the lychees on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 2 hours. Once they’re frozen, you can then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Another method is to puree the lychees in a blender and then pour the puree into an ice cube tray. Once frozen, you can then transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container.
If you want to, you can also add some additional fruit to this smoothie. Some good choices would be strawberries, raspberries, or mango. You could also add a green vegetable such as spinach or kale.
If you’re looking for a boost of protein, then you could add some whey protein powder or Greek yogurt. And if you want to make it a little more indulgent, then you could add a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of honey.
Pro Tips By Neha
To make the best lychee smoothie, try to use ripe and fresh lychees. If you can’t find fresh lychees, then you can also use frozen or canned ones.
It’s also important to add enough liquid to the blender so that everything blends together smoothly. I like to use milk or yogurt, but you could also use water or juice.
And finally, don’t forget the sweetener! I usually add honey to my smoothies, but you could also use sugar, agave nectar, or maple syrup. Start with a little and then taste as you go.
Storage Suggestions
This smoothie can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just make sure to give it a good shake before drinking.
If you want to make it ahead, then you can also freeze this smoothie into popsicles. Simply pour the smoothie into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 6 hours.
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Recipe Card
Lychee Smoothie Recipe (Litchi Smoothie)
Ingredients
- 1 large banana (peeled, sliced and frozen)
- 10-12 lychees (peeled, seeded and frozen)
- ½ cup chilled plain yogurt (dahi, curd) (full-fat, skim or plant based)
- ½ cup chilled milk (whole, skim or plant based)
- ¼ cup chilled orange juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon honey (use maple syrup or agave nectar for vegan)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the jar of a blender.
- Note – If the frozen fruits are too hard, then thaw them for 5 minutes for easy blending.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add some more milk or orange juice if the smoothie is thick for your liking. Check for sweetness and add more honey if needed.
- Pour the smoothie into serving glasses and serve chilled. You can add a few ice cubes to the glasses too.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!