A little bit in your face, this Coconut Blackcurrant Smoothie is as vibrant as the colour suggests. Sharp & tangy blackcurrants blend with coconut and vanilla to wake your body up in fine fashion.
Sometimes I head into the kitchen feeling the need to create something. Quite often this feeling comes along when I want to treat my girls to something tasty and a little bit different but I don’t necessarily want to splurge and give them something totally unhealthy.
This Coconut Blackcurrant Smoothie is the latest drink to emerge from one of these rapid brainstorming kitchen sessions.
At the time this latest urge struck, I really wanted to make a smoothie but I didn’t have much fresh fruit to hand. So I raided the freezer and found a stash of blackcurrants. I decided to hone in on these berries and went with a one fruit flavour. Putting aside the fruit juice, I rounded out this tart fruit with the help of both coconut water and coconut milk.
I used just 1/3 coconut milk to 2/3 coconut water. I wanted the drink to be creamy and full of sweet coconut flavour to counter-balance those tart blackcurrants, but not over-the-top rich. A final touch of vanilla and a squirt of agave syrup are the only other additions needed to create this drink.
This Coconut Blackcurrant Smoothie is no shrinking violet. It is in your face. Despite the creamy coconut and the mellow vanilla, those blackcurrants still leave a lasting, tangy impression.
I think this drink is best suited to:
- Waking up – you… your tastebuds… your whole body
- Post workout – when you really fancy rapid liquid refreshment
- Hot days – when you don’t want to entirely break from healthy eating
Of course, coconut milk is higher in fat than water and juice, but it does come with some plus points when consumed in moderation. Apparently it helps reduce inflammation and fight the viruses and bacteria that cause infections.
But I’m not going to linger on the pros and cons of the semi-treat that is coconut milk. I’m also going to swerve the current darling of the food world, coconut water. Instead, I want to delve into those juicy blackcurrants. It’s been a while since I had a rant about health benefits. Are you ready to find out why blackcurrants are so good for you? Goodie. Here goes:
- Blackcurrants contain a plethora of vitamins along with large amounts of vitamin C. This is great news for the immune system, boosting iron absorption, looking after body tissue and fighting off colds (phew)
- Blackcurrants can help to promote healthy bacteria in the gut
- Blackcurrants can help our eyes adjust to darkness more readily and they may also help maintain general eye health and vision
Who wants to blend a healthy(ish) treat with me?
Refreshing Coconut Blackcurrant Smoothie
Ingredients
- 125 g/ 1 1/4 cup Blackcurrants (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp Agave syrup (or more/ less to taste)
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 150 ml/ 2/3 cup Coconut milk (I used 1/2 fat canned but chilled carton coconut milk will be fine too)
- 300 ml/ 1 1/4 cup Coconut water
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients into a blender with a couple of ice cubes
- Blend until very finely processed
- Push through a wire mesh sieve to remove pulp
- Serve immediately (see notes)
Notes
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Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Love the look of this smoothie. Coconut and blackcurrant is a winning combination
Jane Saunders
Thanks Bintu
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
Ooooh yes you can tell from the colour of this it’s going to be crisp and refreshing! Looks fab. Now I just need some blackberries on my blackberry bush!
Jane Saunders
We planted our first blackcurrant bush last year so hoping for our first harvest in the summer – the local PYO ran out far too quickly last year.
Jacqueline Meldrum
I make smoothies most days, but do you know I have never used blackcurrants. Your smoothie looks and sounds so good. I really must try adding those blackcurrants. I think this is a good place to start.
Jane Saunders
Oh you are in for a treat Jacqueline. Prepare to be awakened.
Swayam
What a gorgeous hue Jane!! I love adding coconut water to my smoothies too. Yay!! This is perfect for the days we are having now
Jane Saunders
Thankyou Swayam. It’s certainly true that I eat with my eyes as much as my mouth, so colour is everything here.
Alyssa
I’m not sure where I’d even find currants in my neighborhood. I know we have dried currants.
Would blueberries work well?
Jane Saunders
Hi Alyssa. What a shame for you, they are a lovely fruit. I have to resort to frozen for all but a few weeks of the year. Being honest, I think blueberries might be a bit sweet. I wonder if some tangy blackberries or at a push some raspberries might be a better substitute – I’d definitely recommend sieving if you use these to remove all those little seeds.
Michelle - Giraffes Can Bake
I love blackcurrant juice (I was addicted to ribena as a teen!), so I totally need to try this! Looks super yummy, love the colour too!
Jane Saunders
But it had to be the full sugar Ribena didn’t it? Or C-Vit – that had a great blackcurrant taste too. I still like blackcurrant cordial made with hot water when I have a bad headcold. I was wary about sharing this recipe as blackcurrant can be a shockingly sharp flavour if you’ve never had it before. But it’s also so delicious in the end I couldn’t resist. Plus there’s less sugar than Ribena, so it’s a win isn’t it?
Julie
It’s been all cold and dreary and this smoothie would be like a bit of sunshine!
Jane Saunders
Ah, thanks Julie. It’s like to call to the summertime to come.
Meghan | Fox and Briar
That color! I have never used black currants, but I am a big fan of smoothies! Love that you combined coconut milk and coconut water, that is such a great way to lend the creamy, coconut flavor but not add too many calories!
Jane Saunders
I think blackcurrants are definitely a very British thing – I’ve heard they are tricky to get hold on in the US. They are tart little berries so the syrup and cream work well to bring those assets into something drinkable.