Healthy Fruit Drink Recipes

Did You Drink Your Fruit Today?

If your family is ignoring the fruit in the bowl, try serving it in a glass. Children crave smoothies, slushies, and punch. The most delicious, satisfying, and healthy fruit drink recipes are those you create for your family.

Tips to Get You Started

Smoothies are the healthiest and most satisfying fruit drink because they include whole fruit rather than just the juice. They're also the simplest.

A basic ten-ounce smoothie starts with one-half banana per serving. The banana provides sweetness and puts the "smooth" in smoothie. Buy bananas fresh in quantity, quarter, place in a freezer bag, add a spoonful of sugar, shake, and store in freezer for up to three weeks. Remove pieces as needed.

Next, choose a liquid, one-fourth to one-third cup. Try milk or soy milk for a shake-like treat. Orange, apple, or grapefruit juice make a tangier smoothie. Pineapple or watermelon juice sweeten the recipe.

Get Creative

Select a mix of two or three chilled or frozen fruits for taste, color, and nutrients. Remove stems, large seeds, pits, or tough skins. Strawberries are a favorite. Blueberries provide antioxidants and rich color. Peaches, most berries, melons, grapes, mangos, and cherries all blend well with other fruits. Pomegranates, cranberries, and kiwifruit offer unique health benefits, but they're trickier to balance with other ingredients.

Finally, sneak in some healthy ingredients. Plain live-culture yogurt adds zip. Powdered wheat germ is perfect for kids who won't eat whole wheat bread. A healthy splash of carrot juice will go unnoticed. Blend and serve.

Expand your repertoire of healthy fruit drink recipes with a few fruit slushie treats. Freeze your special blend of fruit juices in trays. When ready to serve, pop in a blender with just enough apple juice to blend.

Healthy Fruit Drinks Pack a Punch at Parties

Special occasions call for festive healthy fruit drink recipes. Punches work well here. Begin with pineapple juice for sweetness and viscosity. Add pink grapefruit or purple grape juice for color and tasty juices such as orange or mango. Just before serving, stir in club soda or ginger ale. Float slices of fruit and fruity ice cubes.