The watermelon mojito smoothie from Tropical Smoothie is a refreshing blended drink made with fresh watermelon, mint, lime juice, and ice. It’s a delicious way to cool off on a hot summer day. But what exactly goes into this sweet and tangy smoothie? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that give this drink its signature flavor.
Watermelon
The star ingredient in the watermelon mojito smoothie is, not surprisingly, fresh watermelon. Watermelon contains over 90% water, giving this smoothie a light, hydrating base. The red flesh of the melon also provides a sweet, fruity taste and nutrition in the form of vitamins A, C, and B6. Watermelon is a summer staple, and it shines in this chilled blend.
Mint
No mojito would be complete without fresh mint. Mint gives this smoothie its classic mojito essence. The cool, herbaceous flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet watermelon. Mint also aids digestion, one of the many health bonuses of ingredients in this smoothie. A generous handful of mint leaves is blended into each watermelon mojito smoothie.
Lime Juice
The juice from fresh limes adds tartness and acidity to balance out the melon’s sweetness. Lime juice also enhances the bright, lively mint flavor. The touch of citrus from the lime gives the smoothie a subtle zing. Limes contain vitamin C, folate, and antioxidants as well.
Sugar
A bit of cane sugar or simple syrup sweetens up the watermelon mojito smoothie. The small amount of added sugar complements the natural sweetness of the watermelon. The sugar syrup also helps blend and balance the flavors.
Ice
Ice cold blending is what transforms the ingredients into a frosty smoothie. Cubes of fresh ice lend a chilled, slushy texture. The ice also dilutes and blends the flavors together into a refreshing drink.
No Alcohol Despite the Name
Although it’s dubbed a “mojito” smoothie, the Tropical Smoothie watermelon blend contains no rum or alcohol. The “mojito” name refers to the classic Cuban cocktail’s minty flavor profile. Rest assured this is a family-friendly, non-alcoholic treat.
Nutrition Facts
The watermelon mojito smoothie clocks in at around 300 calories, depending on exact ingredient amounts. It provides a solid dose of vitamins A and C from the watermelon and limes. The mint adds trace amounts of iron, calcium, vitamin C, and fiber. It’s a flavorful way to get some nutrients from fruit and herbs.
Smoothie Size
Tropical Smoothie serves the watermelon mojito smoothie in three sizes:
| Size | Ounces |
|---|---|
| Small | 20 oz |
| Regular | 24 oz |
| Large | 32 oz |
The small is plenty big enough for one serving. Opt for the larger sizes if you want extra smoothie to share or save for later.
Smoothie Tips
To make the most refreshing watermelon mojito smoothie at home:
– Use very ripe watermelon for intense sweetness
– Add extra mint leaves if you want a stronger mint flavor
– Play with lime juice amounts to your desired tartness
– Add a pinch of cinnamon or dash of vanilla for extra depth
– Use frozen watermelon cubes for a thicker, icier texture
– Garnish with mint leaves or watermelon slices
Add-Ons
Tropical Smoothie allows customers to customize their watermelon mojito smoothies by adding supplements and mix-ins. Popular upgrades include:
– Whey protein powder for extra protein
– Flax or chia seeds for fiber and omega-3s
– Frozen yogurt for creaminess and calcium
– Spinach for an extra serving of veggies
– Pineapple or mango for complementary fruit flavor
Feel free to get creative with blend-ins to adapt the smoothie to your personal tastes and nutritional needs. The fruity mint base takes well to many flavors.
When to Enjoy It
The watermelon mojito smoothie is ideal for drinking during hot summer months when watermelon is in season. The fruits and herbs used taste best when fresh and ripe. However, you can still make a tasty mock version in other seasons using frozen watermelon. It’s a sweet sipper year round.
Where to Buy It
You can purchase a watermelon mojito smoothie in store at any of Tropical Smoothie’s over 940 locations across the United States. Check their website to find a shop near you. Some cafes and juice bars also make similar watermelon mojito-style smoothies. Or blend this refreshment at home whenever you please.
Price
Expect to pay around $6 to $8 for a watermelon mojito smoothie from Tropical Smoothie. The exact price varies by size and customizations. Smoothies generally represent an affordable and filling snack or light meal. Especially in comparison to alcoholic mojito cocktails at restaurants.
History of the Drink
The watermelon mojito smoothie as we know it today originated at Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants. However, its inspiration traces back to the classic Cuban mojito cocktail. A mojito traditionally combines mint, citrus, sugar, rum, and soda water. Tropical Smoothie applied this minty flavor profile to a fruit-based blender drink. The result is a sweetened mint and melon smoothie for all ages to enjoy.
Nutritional Benefits
Drinking a watermelon mojito smoothie offers several key vitamins and nutrients, including:
– Vitamin A from watermelon for eye and skin health
– Vitamin C from watermelon, limes, and mint for immunity
– Hydration from the fruit and blended ice
– Fiber from the mint leaves and melon
– Potassium, copper, and magnesium from ingredients
– Antioxidants from the fruits to reduce cell damage
It packs far more nutrition than soda, juice, or other sugar-sweetened beverages. The whole food ingredients like fruit and fresh herbs make this smoothie a nutrient-dense choice.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Tropical Smoothie stands behind its signature smoothies with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely happy with your watermelon mojito smoothie for any reason, let the staff know. They will apologize and offer you another smoothie replacement or refund free of charge. That way you can sip confidently knowing you’ll leave satisfied.
How to Replicate at Home
Whip up this refreshing smoothie at home with just a handful of ingredients:
– 2 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
– 1 cup ice
– 1 lime, juiced
– 8-10 mint leaves
– 1 tbsp sugar or simple syrup
Simply combine everything in a blender until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetener or lime juice to your liking. For a thicker smoothie, use frozen melon chunks. Top with sliced watermelon, extra mint, or lime wedges.
Smoothie Storage
For the best taste and texture, drink your watermelon mojito smoothie right after making it. The ice will melt and dilute it over time. However, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a shake or quick blend to reincorporate before drinking. Add a handful of fresh ice cubes to chill it back down if needed.
Possible Allergens
The watermelon mojito smoothie is made with just a handful of simple, natural ingredients. It contains no major dietary allergens. However, check with your server about cross-contamination risks if you have an allergy. People with sensitivities to citrus fruits or mint should also exercise caution. Overall, this smoothie can work for many different diets when customized.
Unique Flavor Combination
Part of what makes the watermelon mojito smoothie special is its unexpected blend of flavors. Watermelon and mint may seem an unlikely pairing, but they complement each other perfectly. The melon’s juicy sweetness balances the cool, pungent mint. A touch of lime adds intrigue. The creativity of this flavor profile helps set it apart from other fruit smoothies.
Kid Friendly
Unlike alcoholic mojitos, this smoothie makes a fun and healthy drink for kids too. Watermelon is a familiar favorite fruit for children. The small amount of lime may pucker their lips at first taste. But the dominant sweetness from the melon wins over most kids’ palates. It provides vitamin C and hydration without artificial colors or excessive sugars. Parents can feel good about treating the whole family to this wholesome blended treat.
Vegan Smoothie
With no dairy products or other animal ingredients, the watermelon mojito smoothie is naturally vegan. The base contains fruit, herbs, and lime juice exclusively from plant sources. Even the sugar is vegan cane sugar in most locations. This makes it an ideal smoothie choice for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone avoiding dairy. Simply hold the yogurt, whey, and other supplementary add-ons to keep it vegan.
Comparison to Strawberry Daiquiri Smoothie
Tropical Smoothie also serves up a daiquiri-inspired strawberry smoothie. How does it compare to the watermelon mojito blend? The strawberry daiquiri smoothie is made with strawberries, lime juice, and sweetener like the watermelon version. But it lacks the signature addition of fresh mint. The strawberry provides a distinct berry fruitiness, while the watermelon has a lighter melon flavor. Both make for tasty fruit smoothie choices depending on your fruity preferences.
Healthiest Smoothie Options
While tasty, the watermelon mojito ranks lower in nutritional value compared to other Tropical Smoothie blended options. Smoothies made with leafy greens, oats, or protein powder offer more fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and filling protein. For example, try the Island Green, Jetty Punch, or Caribbean Calypso smoothies for more wholesome ingredients. But when you crave thatcool watermelon and mint flavor, the mojito smoothie delivers.
Cocktail Inspiration
The mix of fruit, herbs, citrus, and sweetener in the watermelon mojito smoothie was inspired by rum-based mojito cocktails. For a boozy twist, add a shot of white rum to the blender when making this drink at home or a party. Garnish your spiked smoothie with lime and mint like a classic mojito. Always imbibe liqueur responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the Tropical Smoothie watermelon mojito smoothie:
Does it actually contain alcohol?
No, this smoothie does not contain any rum or alcohol. The word “mojito” refers to its minty flavor inspiration.
Is it gluten-free?
Yes, the standard recipe is gluten-free, consisting of blended whole fruits and herbs. But inform staff if you have an allergy, as smoothies are prepped in shared blenders.
Can you make it with coconut water instead of fruit juice?
Yes, you can request coconut water instead of watermelon juice or puree for a tropical, electrolyte-rich base.
Is it vegan?
The traditional recipe is vegan, but you can add non-vegan ingredients like whey protein. Keep it plant-based by omitting dairy add-ins.
Do you have to muddle the mint?
No muddling needed in this blended smoothie! The blender pulverizes the mint leaves to infuse the drink.
What’s the difference between the watermelon mojito and strawberry daiquiri smoothies?
The strawberry daiquiri blend lacks mint and uses strawberry instead of watermelon. Both contain lime and sweetener.
Final Thoughts
The watermelon mojito smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe provides the perfect blend of sweet fruit and aromatic mint. Its fresh and fruity flavor profile makes it ideal for sipping poolside on a hot summer day. While not the most nutritious choice, it delivers a delicious dose of hydration in a creative combination you won’t find elsewhere. Next time you’re near a Tropical Smoothie, consider treating yourself to this unique melon mint mixer. It’s sure to refresh you with memories of summer in each tasty sip.
