Guava Juice Smoothie

The first time I made this smoothie was on a particularly sweltering July afternoon when my air conditioner had just given up. I grabbed whatever was cold in my fridge—a carton of guava juice I'd bought on impulse and some leftover frozen fruit from a failed attempt at making sorbet. Five minutes later, I was sitting on my front steps with this shockingly pink drink, feeling like I'd discovered a secret weapon against summer heat.

Last summer, my neighbor's kids wandered over while I was blending a batch. They were skeptical—guava juice sounds exotic to eight-year-olds—but one sip and they were practically begging for the recipe. Now I make double batches whenever they're playing outside, and honestly, I've started looking forward to those afternoons as much as they do.

Ingredients

• Guava juice: Use 100% juice if you can find it—the artificial stuff leaves a weird aftertaste that nobody needs in their life
• Frozen mixed fruit: Frozen fruit actually works better than fresh here because it eliminates the need for ice, which just waters everything down
• Greek yogurt: Plain might sound boring, but it lets the tropical flavors shine while adding that satisfying creaminess
• Honey: Start with one tablespoon—guava juice is already pretty sweet, so you might not need as much as you think

Instructions

Toss everything in the blender:

Pour in your chilled guava juice, dump in the frozen fruit, scoop in the yogurt, and add your honey

Make it your own:

If you want extra creaminess, throw in half a banana, or add ice if you like your smoothies thick enough to eat with a spoon

Let it rip:

Blend on high for about 30 to 45 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and no fruit chunks remain

Taste and adjust:

Give it a quick taste—if it needs more sweetness, add another splash of honey and blend for five more seconds

Drink immediately:

Pour into two glasses and enjoy right away, because this smoothie starts separating if it sits too long

Save

This recipe became my go-to when I was recovering from surgery last year and couldn't stomach anything heavy but desperately needed something nourishing. Something about the combination of cool, sweet, and tangy felt healing in a way I can't quite explain, and now it's my comfort drink for whenever life feels overwhelming.

Making It Vegan

Swap the Greek yogurt for coconut or almond yogurt—coconut adds its own subtle tropical flavor that plays really nicely with guava. Maple syrup or agave works perfectly as a honey substitute, though you might need slightly less since they tend to be sweeter.

Fruit Combinations

Mango and pineapple are the classic pairing with guava, but I've accidentally discovered that frozen peaches work beautifully too. Once I threw in some frozen berries just to use them up, and while it looked slightly alarming, the taste was actually refreshing—like a tropical twist on a classic berry smoothie.

Storage and Prep

These smoothies don't store well—the fruit settles and the texture gets weird after a few hours in the fridge. However, you can prep little freezer bags with the frozen fruit and yogurt portioned out, then just add juice and blend when you're ready. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

• Drink within 30 minutes for the best texture
• If it's too thick, add a splash more juice rather than water
• A quick blend revives any separation that happens while you're sipping

Save

There's something impossibly cheerful about drinking something this vibrant pink, like bottled sunshine. I hope it brings as many bright moments to your kitchen as it has to mine.

Questions & Answers

→ Can I make this without dairy?

Yes, simply substitute the Greek yogurt with your favorite plant-based yogurt like coconut, almond, or oat yogurt. The texture remains creamy and delicious.

→ What frozen fruits work best with guava?

Mango, pineapple, and strawberries pair beautifully with guava's tropical flavor. Papaya is another excellent choice that complements the guava perfectly.

→ How can I make it thicker?

Add a frozen banana or extra ice cubes to achieve a thicker consistency. You can also reduce the juice slightly for a more concentrated blend.

→ Is this suitable for meal prep?

It's best enjoyed immediately for optimal texture and freshness. However, you can portion ingredients into freezer bags ahead of time for quick blending later.

→ Can I add supplements?

Absolutely. Try adding a handful of spinach for nutrients, chia seeds for omega-3s, or protein powder to make it more filling.