Our Vietnamese avocado smoothie (sinh to bo) recipe is the simplest way to enjoy this creamy fruit.
Walk the streets of Vietnam and you’ll find this iconic treat in almost every smoothie stand. It’s simply avocado blended with ice, milk, and sweetened condensed milk, a creamy and sweet treat that sells for less than 2 dollars.
Since it’s so easy, you needn’t actually go beyond your own kitchen to recreate it. Having hands-on experience in the country before, our chefs can guarantee an authentic experience.
Is Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie Healthy?
Avocados contain brain-healthy fats and crucial micronutrients for the body’s growth. But still, since the smoothie is high in calories and added sugar (from condensed milk), it should be consumed in moderation.
We resized the portions to give our smoothie 246 calories and 10 g added sugar. If you want to tone down both calories and sugar, feel free to adjust the sweetener to your taste.
Main Ingredients
As mentioned, our Vietnamese avocado smoothie recipe needs avocados, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and ice.
Sweetened condensed milk is popular in Vietnam, not just because it’s sweet but also because it makes smoothies silkier. If you don’t have it, honey or corn syrup will work too.
Vendors also put some whole milk into the smoothie for extra richness. If you want to, use plant-based alternatives instead. The drink will still have a delicious aroma.
Avocado smoothie tastes best when it’s not watery, so the smoothie must be prepared with haste and served right away. There are a few things you can do to speed up the process:
- Use soft avocados.
- Use refrigerated ingredients so the ice doesn’t melt quickly.
- Use small ice (like ice nuggets) or crushed ice. If you only have large ice cubes, place them into a bag/cloth and smash them with a pestle.
How to Choose Avocados for Your Smoothie
There’s a significant texture difference between ripe and unripe avocados, so for smoothie-making, choose ripe ones. You can easily tell them apart from the younger ones — they often come in a purplish skin.
If you’re buying a bunch of avocados and won’t use them all right away, split your selection into about half ripe and half unripe. They’ll ripen over time and be ready when you’re ready.
Some avocados are creamier than others, so if you’re lucky and got those, your smoothie will taste a little better. But don’t worry, the others will still work out fine.
How to Prepare Your Avocado
Slice into the middle of the fruit as if you’re going to cut it in half lengthwise. When the blade hits the pit, run the knife all the way around it and twist the two halves open. Tap the knife into the pit and lift it out.
For smoothie-making, simply scoop the flesh out with a spoon.
Some people make diagonal cuts into the flesh, so it scoops out into little cubes. This is the best method for salads but isn’t necessary for smoothies.
If you’re aiming for presentation, however, you want to cut the halves in half again, peel away the skin, and thinly slice the quarters. This assures intact slices for your avocado toast.
Can You Freeze Avocado Puree?
Yes, you can keep avocado puree in the freezer. It’s a neat trick that Vietnamese vendors use to serve many people at once.
All you have to do is puree raw avocados, store that liquid in a jar, then freeze it. Frozen avocado will be hard to scoop out, so make sure that you thaw it before use. Do so by moving the frozen batch to the fridge and let it thaw slowly for about 2 hours.
Many vendors mix the puree with milk and sweetener so that all they have to do to prepare smoothies is blend it with ice. If you’re using the puree solely to make Vietnamese avocado smoothies, you can add milk and condensed milk to it too.
Is It OK to Have Avocado Smoothies Every Day?
There is no known harmful dose for avocados. You can have avocado smoothies or treats made of avocados every day. Many people try to incorporate more of this healthy fruit into their diets. You can also switch things up and pair avocado with other ingredients to keep things interesting and avoid repetition. Here are some options to try out:
- Avocado Spinach Smoothie: This smoothie is a brilliant option for a nutrient-packed snack. Have it any time you need a veggie boost.
- Strawberry Avocado Smoothie: An unlikely yet pleasant duo, this smoothie offers a creamy blend of sweet, tart, and nutty flavors as well as heaps of amazing nutrients.
- Chocolate Avocado Smoothie: Delicious, creamy, and loaded with nutritious ingredients, this smoothie is a perfect breakfast smoothie, post-workout drink, or just any time you want to indulge without completely compromising your healthy diet.
What you need to be mindful of is how much calories and added sugar you’re consuming. Avocados are naturally high in calories. If you make sweet treats out of avocados, the amount of added sugar should be taken into consideration as well.
Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie Recipe
Our Vietnamese avocado smoothie recipe is a delicious way to enjoy this healthy fruit. It requires just a few ingredients.
- by Luna Regina, 2022-03-02
- prep TIME 7 mins
- total TIME 7 mins
- COURSE Beverage, Smoothie
- CUISINE Vietnamese
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 246 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 14 oz avocado (skin and pit removed)
- 2 cups ice
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 6 leaves mint
INSTRUCTIONS
Scoop the avocado fresh.
Add 14 oz avocado, 2 cups ice, 1/2 cup whole milk, and 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk to the blender.
Blend until smooth, about 10 to 30 seconds.
Pour into serving glasses.
Garnish with mint leaves and enjoy.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary ConsultantLuna Regina
Writer, AuthorNatalie Butler, RD, LD
Nutrition Reviewer- DeborahI made this smoothie and it was so refreshing! The coconut milk added an amazing sweetness that paired perfectly with the avocado.
- Dave KeseianEasy to make and tasted so good!