This Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie recipe is our copycat version of the popular Tropical Smoothie Cafe drink. It has sweet strawberries, tart pineapple, creamy coconut, and delicious white chocolate. With real fruit and white chocolate, it's easy to see why everyone wants this copycat recipe!
why we love this bahama mama tropical smoothie recipe
Tropical Smoothie Cafes are a popular stop, with locations all around the US. And one of their most popular recipes is the Bahama Mama that's made with white chocolate, strawberries, and creamy coconut.
It's sweet and delicious, and as much as I love stopping to get a 24oz smoothie at the cafe, this smoothie is actually super easy to make at home!
So here's why you need to make it at home and why we love it!
- A little better for you: I won't lie to you and call this a "healthy" smoothie but by making it at home, you do have control over how much sweetener you add. Do you like it less sweet? Add less white chocolate. Like it sweeter? Add more chocolate!
- 5 ingredients: Yup, you read that right, you only need 5 ingredients to make this Bahama Mama smoothie at home!
- Customizable: Want this to be a little more filling? Add vanilla protein powder! Don't have pineapple? Swap it for bananas!
And for more tasty smoothie recipes, try our Tropical Boba Smoothie, Strawberry Matcha Smoothie, or this Peanut Butter Avocado Smoothie.
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💬 Featured Comment
Our reader Kelly had this to say: "This is SO good and easy! Makes me feel like I'm in the tropics!" ★★★★★
Ingredients and Substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.
- Coconut Milk: We used canned coconut milk for an ultra-rich texture. Any milk can be used, plant-based or dairy. You can also use a more water-based liquid, like orange juice, pineapple juice, or coconut water, but the texture will be less creamy.
- Strawberry and Pineapple: We use frozen strawberries and pineapple to help thicken the smoothie and keep the ingredient cost a little lower. If using fresh (not frozen) ingredients, add 1 cup of ice to the smoothie.
- White Chocolate: We use Lily’s white chocolate chips to keep the sugar lower. White chocolate syrup, cacao butter mixed with agave, or vegan white chocolate can be used.
- Coconut Chunks: Coconut chunks are typically found in the cold produce section (at Walmart, Target, or similar). Coconut powder (unsweetened) or shredded coconut can be used.
- Add-Ins: You can add a few different items to your smoothie if you want to switch it up. Some ideas include low-fat yogurt, greek yogurt, chia seeds, and vanilla protein powder.
- Smoothie topping ideas: Try topping your smoothie (or smoothie bowl) with bananas, nut butter, granola, and honey. Or, you can do fresh berries or pomegranate seeds, cacao nibs, and yogurt.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any smoothie ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Smoothie Variations
For some fun twists on this copycat Bahama Mama tropical smoothie, try one of these ideas with a few different smoothie ingredients!
- Protein Strawberry Pineapple: Add in 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder and swap the coconut milk for Greek yogurt. Bam - more protein and the same great taste!
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie: Swap the pineapple for a banana (frozen is best!) to make this variation.
- Mango Fruit Smoothie: Swap the strawberries for frozen mango and use pineapple juice instead of coconut milk.
Recipe Testing Notes
Throughout our testing of this Tropical Smoothie cafe copycat, we learned some key things that worked and didn't work. Here are the key takeaways!
The type of coconut matters: We tried shredded coconut, coconut chunks, coconut flakes, and not including raw or dried coconut in the smoothie. The raw coconut chunks were far and above the best addition in flavor and texture. This is likely because the other coconut options are dried so they add grittiness and not using any extra coconut makes the smoothie slightly bland.
A note about white chocolate: We tried white chocolate syrup and white chocolate chips for this smoothie. Both produced delicious flavor and texture. But, we felt white chocolate chips would be more likely to already be in your pantry, thus making it easier to make the smoothie.
how to make this recipe (photos + video!)
Step one: Add the coconut milk, coconut chunks, and white chocolate chips to a high-speed blender and blend for 30 seconds. This is just to pulverize the harder ingredients to ensure they are fully incorporated into the smoothie.
Step two: Add the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend on high speed until smooth, about 30 seconds to a minute.
Step three: Enjoy with a colorful umbrella in a fun glass!
helpful tips
- Frozen Fruit for the win! Frozen fruit does three things for this smoothie. It thickens it, it allows you to access fresh fruit flavors year-round, and it keeps the smoothie cheaper than if you had to use fresh fruit.
- Start with less liquid: To enjoy the perfect consistency, start by using only ¾ths of the called-for milk and then adding as needed. This is also helpful if you are using a different milk than we are.
Facts and Common Questions
Yup! To make this Bahama mama tropical smoothie vegan, simply swap out the white chocolate for vegan white chocolate or use equal parts cacao butter and agave to make your own white chocolate.
It’s a secret so I can’t tell you. Just kidding! The secret to a great smoothie is having an ingredient that is fibrous or frozen. This can be a banana, an avocado, coconut chunks, or any frozen fruit.
Certainly! This Bahama tropical smoothie can be made into a smoothie bowl. Just leave it extra thick and then pour it into a bowl. Top with everything you love like granola, yogurt, or fresh fruit.
Using coconut chunks and coconut milk as well as frozen fruit instead of ice are great ways to ensure an ultra-creamy bahama mama tropical smoothie.
Definitely! Frozen is always best for smoothies, but if you are using fresh fruit, simply add 1 cup of ice to the mixture to get it nice and cold.
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Recipe
Bahama Mama Smoothie Recipe (Copycat Tropical Smoothie Cafe)
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups coconut milk unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips sugar free
- 3 tablespoon coconut chunks or shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
Instructions
- Add the coconut milk, white chocolate chips, and coconut chunks to the blender. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.
- Add the pineapple and strawberry to this mixture and blend another 1 minute.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Frozen Fruit: Frozen fruit does three things for this smoothie. It thickens it, it allows you to access fresh fruit flavors year round, and it keeps the smoothie cheaper than if you had to use fresh fruit.
- Using fresh fruit: You can use fresh fruit, but I recommend adding 1 cup of ice to the smoothie to make it cold and creamy.
- Start with less liquid: To enjoy the perfect consistency, start by using only ¾ of the called for milk and then adding as needed. This is also helpful if you are using a different milk than we are.
Excellent!!
This is SO good and easy! Makes me feel like I'm in the tropics!
The white chocolate makes it especially good !
This is soooo yummy! The white chocolate is a game changer!
I thought this would be too sweet with white chocolate but it was well balanced!
White chocolate in a smoothie? That sounds a little more like a milkshake and I am about it!! Sounds so good!
This is terrific! Thank you!
delicious take on this smoothie!
This smoothie is so delicious! Tastes just like the one from Topical Smoothie!