Costco’s fruit smoothies are a refreshing and nutritious on-the-go treat. But what exactly goes into these delicious blended beverages? As a Costco member and smoothie enthusiast, I decided to find out.
Quick Answers
- Costco’s smoothies are made fresh in store daily.
- The main ingredients are fruit, fruit juice, yogurt, and ice.
- Flavors include Strawberry, Strawberry Banana, Mango, and Mixed Berry.
- A 24 oz smoothie has around 300 calories.
- Smoothies are dairy-free upon request.
In this article, I’ll take you on a deep dive into everything that makes up Costco’s mouthwatering fruit smoothies. From the types of fruits used to nutritional information, calories, and more – consider this your ultimate guide to understanding what you’re sipping on.
Smoothie Flavors and Fruits
Costco offers smoothies in the following core flavors:
Strawberry
The strawberry smoothie is a classic. Sweet, tart strawberries are blended with ice and yogurt to create a refreshing pink beverage. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese.
Strawberry Banana
This flavor combines strawberries and bananas for a creamy, fruity smoothie. Bananas add potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber. The strawberry banana is one of Costco’s most popular smoothie options.
Mango
Mangoes are blended with yogurt and ice for a tropical smoothie bursting with vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Mangoes have a smooth, creamy texture that makes them perfect for smoothies.
Mixed Berry
A blend of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries gives this smoothie a big berry flavor. The antioxidant power of blueberries mixed with the vitamin C in strawberries makes for a nutritious beverage.
In addition to the core fruit smoothie flavors, some Costco locations offer limited-time or seasonal options like peach, pineapple, acai berry, and more. The fruit ingredients depend on what’s ripe and in season.
Smoothie Base Ingredients
In addition to the fresh fruit that gives each smoothie its signature flavor, Costco smoothies contain a few other core ingredients to achieve the perfect creamy, cold blended texture:
Fruit Juice
Either white grape juice, apple juice, or orange juice is used as a liquid base for Costco’s smoothies. Fruit juice provides sweetness and softens the texture.
Yogurt
Low-fat or non-fat yogurt adds protein, calcium, probiotics and a creamy, smooth consistency. Costco likely uses plain yogurt to let the fruit flavors shine.
Ice
Lots of icy cold ice makes these smoothies ultra refreshing and thick. The ice also dilutes and blends the fruits to a drinkable consistency.
Banana
Bananas are added to most smoothie flavors, even ones without banana in the name. Bananas create a very smooth, creamy blend.
Frozen Fruit
In addition to fresh fruit, frozen fruit like strawberries, mangoes, and pineapple are often used. Frozen fruit blends easier than fresh.
Water
A bit of water helps thin out the smoothie to the perfect consistency for sipping through a straw.
Nutrition Information
Costco smoothies are made with wholesome fruits and yogurt, but the calorie and sugar content varies by flavor. Here are the nutrition facts for a 24 fl oz (710 ml) serving:
Strawberry Banana
| Calories | 300 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Sodium | 65mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 71g |
| Sugars | 57g |
| Protein | 7g |
Strawberry
| Calories | 280 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Sodium | 65mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 66g |
| Sugars | 51g |
| Protein | 7g |
Mango
| Calories | 300 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Sodium | 65mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 71g |
| Sugars | 65g |
| Protein | 3g |
Mixed Berry
| Calories | 260 |
| Total Fat | 1g |
| Sodium | 50mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62g |
| Sugars | 44g |
| Protein | 4g |
As you can see, calories range from 260-300 per 24 oz serving. The sugar content is quite high, mainly naturally occurring from the fruit but also from added fruit juice. Overall, the smoothies provide a hefty dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from all the fresh fruit.
Are Costco Smoothies Dairy-Free?
Costco’s smoothies contain yogurt, so they are not dairy-free by default. However, you can request any smoothie to be made dairy-free. The yogurt will be omitted and replaced with soy milk, almond milk, or another non-dairy milk substitute. All the fruit and juice ingredients are dairy-free.
Are Costco Smoothies Vegan?
Unfortunately Costco’s smoothies are not vegan, even when made dairy-free. This is because the standard recipe contains honey. Some locations may be willing to substitute agave nectar or another vegan-friendly sweetener upon request. But in general, Costco smoothies are not suitable for a vegan diet.
Smoothie Add-Ins
Customize your Costco fruit smoothie even more with these optional add-ins:
Protein Powder
Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder for extra thickness, creaminess, and muscle-building amino acids. Popular options are pea protein and whey protein.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds add fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and a fun textural pop. Due to their gelling properties, chia seeds will thicken up your smoothie consistency too.
Flaxseed
Like chia seeds, flax seeds add nutrition in the form of fiber, omega-3s, and antioxidants. They add nuttiness and texture as well.
Greens
Blend in a handful of spinach or kale to add nutrients and make your smoothie extra “green”. The fruit flavors mask the slight grassy taste.
Nut Butter
For a protein and flavor boost, add nut butter like almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter. Goes well with banana or berry smoothies.
Cocoa Powder
A spoonful of unsweetened cocoa powder gives smoothies a delicious mocha twist. Pairs especially nicely with banana.
Ground Flax or Chia
Sprinkle these superseeds on top of your smoothie to amplify the nutritional value even more.
Granola
For additional crunch and texture, add a sprinkling of low sugar granola on top.
Tips for the Best Smoothie Experience
Here are my top tips for ordering and customizing a Costco smoothie like a pro:
- Ask for extra ice for an ultra-cold, frosty beverage.
- Fresh fruit is added seasonally – take advantage by trying limited flavors.
- Feel free to combine flavors, like strawberry banana mango.
- Request light ice if you prefer a warmer, thinner smoothie.
- Add chia seeds, nut butter, or cocoa powder to make it your own.
- Ask for dairy-free or lower sugar upon request.
- Scope out the ingredients station to see available add-ins.
- Get an extra cup for sharing (smoothies are quite large!)
With the right customizations and insider tips, you can turn a simple Costco smoothie into a gourmet blended creation.
Cost
Costco keeps their smoothie prices affordable. As of November 2023, a 24 fl oz smoothie costs $4.99 at most locations.
Given the generous size, fresh ingredients, and customizable options, this is an excellent value compared to smoothies from dedicated juice bars that can cost $8-10 easily.
Conclusion
When you sip on a Costco smoothie, you can feel good knowing it’s made with real fruit like strawberries, mangoes, bananas and more. A base of yogurt and juice blends it all into a refreshing treat.
While not the healthiest option given the high sugar and calories, Costco smoothies provide ample nutrients thanks to all that fresh fruit. Customize your smoothie with add-ins to achieve your desired flavor and texture.
Next time you need a pick-me-up on a Costco run, grab a smoothie and enjoy a cool, fruity beverage made with quality ingredients. Thanks to the details provided in this article, you now know exactly what’s inside Costco’s famous smoothies.
