Piña Cool-Ada, a Classic Tropical Juice It Up smoothie recipe, blends tangy pineapple, lush coconut, and sweet banana into a frosty, piña colada–style treat that tastes like vacation. The nonfat frozen yogurt delivers a creamy, shop-quality texture while keeping things light, and the fruit brings vitamin C and potassium for a feel-good boost. It’s a tropical smoothie you can whip up in minutes, pure refreshment without the airfare.
After a decade of testing copycat smoothies, I’ve learned two tricks that make this shine: use frozen banana and pineapple for instant thickness (no watered-down ice), and bloom the coconut by pulsing it with pineapple juice first for richer flavor. If you prefer dairy-free, swap in coconut milk or a plant-based yogurt, it’s still silky, still tropical. A quick pinch of fresh lime zest right before pouring brightens the whole blend and keeps the flavors snappy and balanced.
Everything You Need To Make A Piña Cool-Ada Smoothie
Key Ingredients
The Juice It Up Piña Cool-Ada smoothie ingredients are:
- bananas
- pineapples
- pineapple juice
- coconut flakes
- nonfat frozen yogurt
- Collagen Boost, optional
Health Benefits
Bananas – Bananas are very healthy, readily available, and one of the least expensive fruits you can buy. They have relatively few calories, are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium, are full of potent antioxidants including flavonoids and animes, and are high in dietary fiber. Studies have shown that bananas can improve insulin sensitivity and may improve kidney health.
Pineapples – Pineapples are popular tangy tropical fruit that, surprising to most, originated in South America, not Hawaii. They are absolutely loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, including a ridiculously high amount of vitamin C (1 serving = 131% of the recommended daily intake), manganese, vitamin B6, and thiamin. Pineapples also contain a significant amount of the digestive enzymes bromelain that can help fight pancreatic cancer.
Coconuts – Coconuts are a popular tropical fruit harvested from the coconut palm tree. They are an excellent source of protein and provide several important minerals, including manganese, copper, selenium, iron, phosphorous, and potassium. Coconuts are also known to promote heart health and help stabilize blood sugar.
Nonfat Frozen Yogurt – Nonfat frozen yogurt is often hailed as a healthy alternative to traditional ice cream. It includes yogurt culture probiotics lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus and is often made with agave nectar instead of high-calorie sugar. Nonfat frozen yogurt is a common choice among those wanting to reduce their caloric intake.
Smoothie Making Tools Needed
A standard blender is all that is required to make these delicious smoothies. If you are making it for just one person, we recommend using the truly amazing personal NutriBullet Ultra as it is super-quick to set up and very easy to clean.
If you are making them for more than one person, we recommend a higher-end Vitamix blender that can process larger loads more efficiently.
For overnight storage, we recommend using glass or BPA-free airtight storage containers with a resealable lid.
How To Make The Juice It Up Piña Cool-Ada Smoothie
The Juice It Up Piña Cool-Ada smoothie is very easy to make:
- Step 1: Place bananas, pineapples, pineapple juice, coconut flakes, and nonfat frozen yogurt into a blender and secure the lid.
- Step 2: Start the blender on its lowest speed and steadily ramp up to its highest speed. This will reduce wear and tear on the motor and blades, facilitate a more consistent blend, and help prevent food splatter onto the lid and sides.
- Step 3: Blend for approximately 30 seconds or until a smooth consistency is achieved.
- Step 4: Pour into a glass for immediate refreshment or place in the refrigerator in an airtight container to enjoy later.
Recipe Tips And Substitutions
For ease of use, we recommend peeling and slicing a number of bananas, putting them in a freezer bag, and storing them in your freezer for quick access.
If you don’t have frozen fruit, or simply prefer to use fresh fruit (we totally get that), we recommend adding 1/2 cup of ice to chill your smoothie and give it a pleasing icy texture.
Coconut milk can be substituted for the coconut flakes without significantly changing the flavor profile.
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Juice It Up Piña Cool-Ada Smoothie Recipe
Juice It Up Piña Cool-Ada smoothie recipe tastes like a traditional piña colada from the islands. This recipe will show you how to make one.
Ingredients
- 1 banana, frozen, sliced
- 1 cup pineapples, frozen, chunks
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened
- 1 cup nonfat frozen yogurt
- 1 scoop Collagen Boost, optional
Instructions
- Place bananas, pineapples, pineapple juice, coconut flakes, and nonfat frozen yogurt into a blender and secure the lid.
- Start the blender on its lowest speed and steadily ramp up to its highest speed. This will reduce wear and tear on the motor and blades, facilitate a more consistent blend, and help prevent food splatter onto the lid and sides.
- Blend for approximately 30 seconds or until a smooth consistency is achieved.
- Pour into a glass for immediate refreshment or place in the refrigerator in an airtight container to enjoy later.
Notes
- For ease of use, we recommend peeling and slicing a number of bananas, putting them in a freezer bag, and storing them in your freezer for quick access.
- If you don't have frozen fruit, or simply prefer to use fresh fruit (we totally get that), we recommend adding 1/2 cup of ice to chill your smoothie and give it a pleasing icy texture.
- Coconut milk can be substituted for the coconut flakes without significantly changing the flavor profile.
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 397Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 299mgCarbohydrates: 167gFiber: 10gSugar: 113gProtein: 22g
Smoothie Frequently Asked Questions
You can substitute any dairy-free milk, such as almond, coconut, or oat milk for the nonfat frozen yogurt to make this delicious smoothie dairy-free. Just add a little extra ice.
The Piña Colada is widely credited to a bartender named Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, who reportedly concocted the drink in 1954 at the Caribe Hilton’s Beachcomber Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Marrero spent months perfecting the mix of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, aiming to capture the true flavors of Puerto Rico in a glass. His creation was such a success that it was officially declared the national drink of Puerto Rico in 1978.
More Juice It Up Smoothie Recipes
→ If you liked this copycat Piña Cool-Ada smoothie, try more of our delicious favorites on our Juice It Up Smoothie Recipes page.
Source
Juice It Up: Website
