A traditional Mexican smoothie made with bananas, milk, cinnamon, and sugar is called a licuado de plátano. It is a great option for a quick and simple breakfast because it is creamy, satisfying, and healthful!
Although breakfast is a crucial meal, prioritizing it isn’t always simple. We frequently rush out the door in the morning to get to work on time, making it the most stressful time of day! Smoothies in the Mexican manner, such as this one, are called limpados and are ideal for hectic mornings.
I can clearly recall my mother preparing Licuado de plátano for me each week before school. They were my favorite breakfast since they were portable, tasty, and just a touch sweet.
Bananas are the fruit in this recipe, but you may play around with other tastes and ingredients. Blueberries, guava, strawberries, mangoes, and the list goes on.
WHAT ARE LICUADOS?
A Licuado is a blended drink, similar to a smoothie, that is made in Mexico. Usually, it’s made with milk, fruits, and maybe a little honey or sugar for sweetness. Imagine the freshness of strawberries, the richness of chocolate, or the creaminess of ripe bananas combined with milk to create a delicious drink. They’re great for drinking on a warm, sunny day and a great way to experience the bright tastes of Mexican fruits.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LICUADOS AND SMOOTHIES?
Licuados are a popular street snack and breakfast choice in Mexico. They are a blended drink prepared from milk and fresh fruit, with a thin consistency that is easily sucked with a straw.
Smoothies can be made with only milk and fruit, but they also frequently include a variety of other ingredients such as nuts, seeds, veggies, and protein powders. Additionally, smoothies have a much thicker consistency than licuados.
LICUADO DE PLÁTANO INGREDIENTS
- Bananas: This licuado’s fruit component gives a delectable taste and texture. The licuado is sweeter the riper the banana.
- Milk: To make this dish more satisfying, I used whole milk; however, you may also use nonfat milk or your preferred dairy-free milk substitute.
- Sweetener: Agave nectar is what I used, but you may omit it entirely. If you think the licuado is sweet enough on its own, feel free to omit it. Another option is to use powdered sugar.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon has several health advantages in addition to adding a wonderful taste.
- Vanilla extract: A tiny bit of vanilla essence helps to balance out every taste.
HOW TO MAKE A LICUADO DE PLÁTANO
To begin, fill a blender with the milk, bananas, agave, vanilla essence, and ground cinnamon. To aid in the breakdown of the bananas in the blender, I like to cut them in half.
For many minutes, blend all the ingredients until they are totally smooth.
Transfer into a glass, garnish with a cinnamon sprinkling, and serve right away.
VARIATIONS IN LICUADO DE PLÁTANO
Everyone may enjoy Licuado de plátano even following a strict diet because many of the components can be substituted and the dish will still taste delicious:
- Add ½ cup vanilla extract or plain Greek yogurt for a creamier texture.
- Swap substitute the agave for sugar or honey, or omit the sweetener completely.
- Use any nondairy milk, such as almond, cashew, or oat milk.
- You may add two teaspoons of peanut butter for extra protein.
TIPS FOR THE BEST LICUADO DE PLÁTANO
- Generally speaking, Mexican licuados are thinner than American smoothies. To assist obtain a thicker consistency, you may always add ice or utilize frozen bananas.
- The freshness of your bananas might affect how sweet your licuado is. The sweetness and intensity of the banana flavor increase with the ripeness of the bananas. If you would rather not add any more sweetness, you can change the amount of agave syrup to suit your tastes or leave it out entirely.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
- Blender: Having a high-quality blender can help you get the necessary textures.
- Glass mugs: Smoothies taste fantastic in these 16-ounce multipurpose glasses!
- Straws that are reusable: Environmentally friendly and includes a little cleaning brush.
MORE SMOOTHIES YOU MIGHT LIKE
- French Kiss cocktail
- Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri
- Caribbean Spiced Sorrel Tea
- Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Rum Cocktail)
Licuado de plátano
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk chilled
- 2 medium bananas peeled
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon plus more for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the milk, bananas, agave nectar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
- Process till very smooth.
- Transfer into glasses, top with a dash of ground cinnamon, and serve right away.
Notes
To make this meal more satisfying, I used full milk, but you could also use nonfat milk or your preferred dairy-free milk substitute. Almond, cashew, or oat milk are excellent choices.