A Hurricane Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a popular blended fruit drink that packs a refreshing tropical punch. But what exactly goes into this sweet and satisfying smoothie? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make up this fan favorite.
Fruit
Fruit is the star ingredient in any smoothie, and the Hurricane is no exception. This smoothie gets its bright orange color primarily from mango and pineapple. Mangoes add a creamy texture and sweet, tropical flavor. Pineapple provides a nice tangy kick and additional sweetness. Other fruits found in the Hurricane Smoothie are strawberries and bananas. Strawberries contribute vitamin C and banana gives the smoothie a thick, milkshake-like consistency.
Juices
The fruit in the Hurricane Smoothie is complemented by small amounts of orange, pineapple, and apple juice. These juices enhance the tropical flavor and provide liquid to blend the fruits smoothly. Orange juice in particular adds a fresh citrus note.
Yogurt
Low fat vanilla yogurt is another key ingredient in the Hurricane Smoothie. Yogurt contributes protein and calcium, adds creaminess, and balances out the sweetness of the fruit. The vanilla yogurt used at Tropical Smoothie Cafe lends a subtle background flavor of vanilla.
Sweeteners
A touch of sweetener takes the Hurricane Smoothie to the next level. Tropical Smoothie Cafe uses a blend of white grape juice concentrate, pure cane sugar, and honey. White grape juice concentrate amplifies the fruit flavors. Pure cane sugar and honey provide additional natural sweetness.
Ice
Lots of icy cold ice makes the Hurricane Smoothie thick and frosty. Shaved ice blends with the fruits and liquids to create the signature smoothie texture.
Supplements
Many Tropical Smoothie Cafe smoothies, including the Hurricane, contain supplements for an extra health boost. The Hurricane Smoothie includes Tropical Smoothie’s EnergyBlend supplement, a proprietary blend of B vitamins, ginseng, and guarana seed. This supplement provides natural energy and focus.
Complete Hurricane Smoothie Ingredients
Here is the complete ingredient list for a Hurricane Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe:
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
- Banana
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Apple juice
- Low fat vanilla yogurt
- White grape juice concentrate
- Cane sugar
- Honey
- Ice
- EnergyBlend supplement (B vitamins, ginseng, guarana seed)
Nutrition Facts
The Hurricane Smoothie is a tasty treat, but how does it measure up nutritionally? Here is the nutrition information for a 24 ounce Hurricane Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 440 |
| Total Fat | 2g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 100mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 100g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugars | 81g |
| Protein | 8g |
| Calcium | 30% DV |
| Potassium | 25% DV |
| Vitamin A | 15% DV |
| Vitamin C | 200% DV |
As you can see, the Hurricane Smoothie is high in vitamins A and C thanks to all that delicious fruit. It also provides calcium and potassium. On the flip side, it is very high in natural sugars from the fruit and fruit juices. So while tasty, the Hurricane Smoothie should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
Possible Modifications
One of the great things about smoothies is that they can be customized in many ways. Here are some ideas for modifications you can request to make your Hurricane Smoothie even healthier or better suited to your tastes:
- Add spinach or kale for extra vitamins and minerals
- Use almond milk or Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt
- Substitute honey for agave nectar or maple syrup
- Add chia seeds, flaxseed, or whey protein powder for extra nutrition
- Make it peanut butter or chocolate peanut butter flavored
- Use decaf coffee instead of the EnergyBlend supplement
- Reduce the amount of fruit juice
- Add ginger, cinnamon, vanilla extract, or other spices for extra flavor
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is happy to accommodate reasonable requests, so feel free to ask if you would like your Hurricane Smoothie prepared a certain way.
Cost
The Hurricane Smoothie is one of Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s premium smoothies. Here is the pricing as of November 2023:
- Small (16 oz): $5.99
- Regular (24 oz): $7.49
- Large (32 oz): $8.49
Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers several ways to save on the Hurricane Smoothie and other menu items:
- Happy Hour from 2-5 pm with BOGO free smoothies
- Daily E-Club rewards with every 6th smoothie free
- Mobile app rewards
- Text offers and coupon codes
- Specials like Wild Wednesday with medium smoothies for $2.99
Signing up for Tropical Smoothie’s free rewards program is a great way to receive discounts on the Hurricane Smoothie and other favorites from the menu.
Availability
You can find the Hurricane Smoothie and other Tropical Smoothie Cafe menu items at over 900 locations across the United States. The restaurant chain has a presence in over 40 states but is most concentrated in the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Within a given location, the availability of specific items like the Hurricane Smoothie may vary by time of day or season:
- Most locations serve the full menu from open to close
- Smoothies are generally available all day
- Fruit and ingredient availability may vary slightly by season
- Some seasonal or promotional smoothies may be substituted for standard menu smoothies
Be sure to check the hours and menu of your local Tropical Smoothie Cafe for availability information. The best time to enjoy crowd-pleasing smoothies like the Hurricane is often during non-peak hours in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
History of the Hurricane Smoothie
Tropical Smoothie Cafe was founded in 1997 in Florida, and smoothies have been a central part of the menu from the beginning. The Hurricane Smoothie has been one of the brand’s core smoothie offerings for over 20 years.
The inspiration for the Hurricane name comes from the restaurant’s Florida roots, where hurricanes are a regular weather occurrence. The Hurricane Smoothie was envisioned as the kind of refreshing pick-me-up people might enjoy during or after a storm. With its bright citrus flavor and energizing ingredients, this smoothie really does evoke the feeling of warmer climates and tropical rainstorms.
Over the years, the Hurricane Smoothie has maintained its signature blend of mangos, pineapple, banana, berries, and citrus. But Tropical Smoothie Cafe does periodically update its smoothie recipes to keep them fresh and relevant. Recent enhancements to the Hurricane include:
- Adding supplemental ingredients like ginseng and guarana for natural energy
- Increasing the fruit content and reducing the yogurt and juice
- Introducing new fruits like acai berries and dragonfruit in limited-time variations
Though the details may evolve, the Hurricane Smoothie remains a vibrant Tropical Smoothie Cafe classic. Its balance of fruits and spices satisfies smoothie cravings throughout the year.
Tips for Making a Hurricane Smoothie at Home
Want to recreate Tropical Smoothie’s signature Hurricane Smoothie at home? Here are some tips:
Ingredients
- Use fresh or frozen mango, pineapple, strawberries, and banana as the base
- Include a citrus juice like orange juice for tang
- Add vanilla yogurt for creaminess and protein
- Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, agave, or small amounts of sugar
- Supplement with ice, chia seeds, flax, wheat germ, or protein powder
- Consider coconut water instead of fruit juice
Equipment
- A blender like a Ninja, Vitamix, or NutriBullet works best
- Use fresh or frozen fruit
- Cut larger fruits like mangoes into pieces
- Combine all ingredients in the blender
- Blend until smooth and frothy
- Pour into a glass and top with extras like fruit slices, coconut, or chia seeds
Customizing Your Smoothie
- Adjust fruit ratios to your taste preferences
- Add spinach or kale for extra nutrients
- Include whey protein powder for a protein boost
- Use almond milk or dairy-free yogurt for a non-dairy version
- Play with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or vanilla
- Top with crunchy granola or toasted coconut
The great thing about smoothies is that they are endlessly adaptable to your tastes and dietary needs. Let the tropical Hurricane Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe inspire your own healthy creations at home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hurricane Smoothie healthy?
The Hurricane Smoothie provides important vitamins and minerals from ingredients like mangos, pineapple, oranges, and strawberries. However, it is high in natural sugars due to the fruit content. Enjoying the Hurricane Smoothie in moderation is recommended as part of a balanced diet.
Does the Hurricane Smoothie have caffeine?
The standard Hurricane Smoothie contains an EnergyBlend supplement with B vitamins, ginseng, and guarana seed for natural energy, but no caffeine. You can request the smoothie made without this supplement if you prefer.
What is the difference between the Hurricane Smoothie and Island Green Smoothie?
Both are fruit and yogurt based smoothies. However, the Hurricane Smoothie gets its orange color from mangos, pineapple, and oranges while the Island Green Smoothie contains spinach, kale, and mango for a green color.
Can you make the Hurricane Smoothie with almond milk?
Yes, you can request almond milk instead of regular yogurt when ordering a Hurricane Smoothie at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The fruit flavors will still come through and it makes the smoothie dairy-free.
Is there sugar added to the Hurricane Smoothie?
The Hurricane Smoothie does contain added sweeteners like white grape juice concentrate, cane sugar, and honey in addition to natural sugars from the fruit and fruit juices. Ordering it with light sweetener is an option to reduce added sugars.
Conclusion
With its tasty blend of fruits like mango and pineapple plus yogurt and juices, the Hurricane Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers a satisfying and refreshing option for smoothie lovers. It provides ample vitamins and minerals along with natural sugars and calories that are best enjoyed in moderation. Customizing your Hurricane Smoothie is easy for a flavor and nutritional profile that suits your needs. And the recipe can be adapted at home to enjoy this bright tropical-inspired smoothie any time. So next time a smoothie craving hits, blow it away with this classic menu item from Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
