Strawberry Apple Frost

This frothy blended smoothie lands somewhere between a milkshake and a fruit slush. Plain yogurt, ripe strawberries, no-sugar-added apple juice, vanilla, and ice cubes get blitzed together into a creamy, pink drink that’s refreshing without being heavy.

The ripe strawberries are doing most of the sweetening work. When they’re truly ripe, soft and deeply red, they bring enough natural sugar that the added sweetener just rounds things out. The apple juice adds a mellow fruity sweetness that pairs with strawberry better than orange or grape would, and the plain yogurt brings tang and body.

Four ice cubes give it that thick, frosty texture. Blend until completely smooth and frothy so there are no icy chunks left. The drink should pour thickly into stemmed glasses and hold a strawberry garnish on the rim without sinking.

Kitchen Tips

• Use the ripest strawberries you can find. Underripe berries are tart and bland. If your berries aren’t great, add a touch more sweetener.
• Blend in stages. Pulse the ice first to crush it, then add the liquid ingredients and blend on high until smooth and frothy.
• Serve immediately. This separates and gets watery as the ice melts. Pour it the second the blender stops.

Variations

• Frozen berry version: Use frozen strawberries instead of fresh and skip the ice cubes. You get a thicker, more sherbet-like texture.
• Tropical frost: Swap the strawberries for mango and use pineapple juice instead of apple.