Last Updated on May 10, 2022 by
On a hot day, there is nothing more refreshing then a banana Licuado, so let’s learn how to make licuados! They are fairly easy to make and have simple ingredients that add surprisingly delicious flavors and smooth textures.
After you are done with this recipe, you should have enough of this Mexican smoothie to share with your family! Although I am using bananas for this recipe, you can add any fruit! Bananas are just abundant, cheap, and a family favorite in my household!
Table of Contents
What Are Licuados?
Licuados are blended smoothies that only use three ingredients. These are very commonly served in Mexico by street vendors because of how quick they are to make! Although you can preserve licuados, it is best to drink them once they are finished.
Licuados are also known as batidas and are similar to milkshakes drunk in the U.S. The biggest difference though is that licuados are not made with ice cream and have a thinner consistency. However, they are also not exactly smoothies because they have high concentrations of milk.
The Benefits Of Drinking A Mexican Smoothie
There are a lot of benefits when it comes to drinking a Mexican smoothie. This is because the smoothies are made ready to order and with fresh fruits. The most common type of fruit used in batidos, is banana. Without the rest of the ingredients, there are many health benefits to drinking and eating bananas.
One of the most common health benefits is that bananas are loaded with protein, fiber, and potassium! These yellow fruits are a favorite amongst many people because of their sweet flavors too!
These Mexican smoothies are especially loaded with protein because of the milk that goes inside of the recipe. However, drinking too much of this smoothie frequently can increase sugar levels. This should not be a concern though because bananas carry healthy and natural sugars that are easy for our bodies to digest.
What You Will Need To Make A Delicious Banana Licuado
Ingredients
- 3 Whole Ripe Bananas, Although everyone has their own preference, the best type of bananas to use for these drinks are extremely ripe and mainly yellow with spots of black. When you chose bananas that are very ripe, you won’t need as much added sugar in your Mexican smoothie.
- 6 Cups of Whole Milk, For those of us who are lactose intolerant, you can always substitute whole milk for almond or soy milk. Keep in mind though that these milk alternatives are thick and can change the texture quickly.
- 2 tbsp. of cinnamon
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of brown sugar, Brown sugar has a sweeter taste, but you can use any kind of sugar in your drink! With brown sugar though, you need less to make the drink just sweet enough.
Equipment
- cutting board
- measuring cut
- 1 knife
- blender
Step By Step Instructions On How To Make Licuados Recipe
1. Prepare the Ingredients
Before you can start to make and blend this easy drink, you will need to prepare the ingredients. This means gathering the ingredients, while also cutting them! You will need to peel the bananas and cut them into three sections each.
Measure out the sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Place these items to the side. You can also keep extra cinnamon in a container to add as a garnish if you’d like.
2. Blend the Milk and Bananas
Once the ingredients are gathered and you have your station prepared, add the milk and bananas into the blender. Blend these ingredients well with each other until the mixture is smooth. Although it is tempting to add all the ingredients together, blending the two primary ingredients first helps create a thin consistency.
3. Add the Sugar, Cinnamon, and Vanilla
Once the mixture is smooth and thin, add the rest of the ingredients. Blend for about thirty seconds or until you notice that the solid ingredients are mixed in well. You can always do a quick taste test before serving.
4. Serve Chilled Over Ice
One it is complete and you feel satisfied with your creation, serve and pour the banana Licuado over ice for it to be cool. Garnish with extra cinnamon on top as needed.
Tips and Tricks on How To Make Licuados
Although it is easy to figure out how to make licuados, there are still extra tips and tricks I can share with you to make this process easy and worthwhile. Although we have chosen to use bananas, this recipe can be adjusted to include whatever fruit you would like! As long as there is fruit and milk, it is a Licuado!
The one tip and trick I have for you when it comes to easy preparation and chilling without ice is to first freeze the bananas. If you know you are going to make this in the future, prepare the bananas first. Peel them and cut them into thick slices. Add the thick slices into a zip lock bag that can be frozen.
Once you feel ready, take them out of the freezer and add them immediately to the blender. They will blend well with the milk and also create a cold and chilled Mexican smoothie without the ice and texture change.
Another tip is to use cinnamon sticks for garnishing. This not only looks aesthetically pleasing but is delicious. The cinnamon is an important part in how to make licuados.
Servings and Preparation Time for Batidos
|
Cook Time |
Preparation Time |
Serving Size |
|
5 minutes |
5 minutes |
6 |
All in all, this recipe is easy to follow! Once you are complete, you will know how to make licuados effortlessly! The recipe is quick, and only has four steps that can be combined and shortened. The best part about this recipe though is how versatile it is. For instance, if you don’t like the fruit choice, you can add your own!
What do you think about this recipe? Was it easy to follow along with? Now that you know how to make licuados, feel free to share this recipe with your friends and family interested in making this sweet treat!
Delicious Banana Licuado
Equipment
- Cutting board
- measuring cut
- 1 knife
- blender
Ingredients
- 3 Whole Ripe Bananas Although everyone has their own preference, the best type of bananas to use for these drinks are extremely ripe and mainly yellow with spots of black. When you chose bananas that are very ripe, you won't need as much added sugar in your Mexican smoothie.
- 6 Cups of Whole Milk For those of us who are lactose intolerant, you can always substitute whole milk for almond or soy milk. Keep in mind though that these milk alternatives are thick and can change the texture quickly.
- 2 tbsp. of cinnamon
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of brown sugar Brown sugar has a sweeter taste, but you can use any kind of sugar in your drink! With brown sugar though, you need less to make the drink just sweet enough.
Instructions
- Before you can start to make and blend this easy drink, you will need to prepare the ingredients. This means gathering the ingredients, while also cutting them! You will need to peel the bananas and cut them into three sections each.
- Measure out the sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Place these items to the side. You can also keep extra cinnamon in a container to add as a garnish if you'd like.
- Once the ingredients are gathered and you have your station prepared, add the milk and bananas into the blender. Blend these ingredients well with each other until the mixture is smooth. Although it is tempting to add all the ingredients together, blending the two primary ingredients first helps create a thin consistency.
- Once the mixture is smooth and thin, add the rest of the ingredients. Blend for about thirty seconds or until you notice that the solid ingredients are mixed in well. You can always do a quick taste test before serving.
- One it is complete and you feel satisfied with your creation, serve and pour the banana Licuado over ice for it to be cool. Garnish with extra cinnamon on top as needed.
Notes
Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.