Strawberry, Blackcurrant and Coconut Water Smoothie

Tuesday 21 July 2015
2015 is the Scottish Year of Food and Drink and the monthly theme for July is Summer Berries and Soft fruits. On 1st July Scotland's Berry Trail was launched, celebrating and promoting more than 33 berry farmers throughout the country, during their short but sweet growing season. I've got some berries of my own in the garden - Strawberries, Blackcurrants and Raspberries. It's our first year of Rasps so I'm not expecting too much, my Strawberries have just started to form but my Blackcurrants are already looking fantastic! Time to start making use of them in a delicious breakfast berry smoothie. 

Foodie Quine Strawberry, Blackcurrant & Coconut Water Smoothie

I absolutely love all things coconut but had never actually got round to trying any of the coconut water which seems to have become a bit of a celebrity trend of late. Coconut water is the clear, fat free liquid found in young green coconuts. It is hailed for its health benefits being naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, low in calories and high in electrolytes. I received some to review and turns out that it's definitely not for me. To my palate its more sweaty flip flop than a refreshing taste of the Caribbean. What else to do with it than drink on its own? The answer seem to be to disguise it in soups, salad dressings, marinades, ice lollies and smoothies. 

Foodie Quine Strawberry, Blackcurrant & Coconut Water Smoothie

STRAWBERRY, BLACKCURRANT & COCONUT WATER SMOOTHIE

10 medium Strawberries
3 handfuls of Blackcurrants
2 Tablespoons Runny Honey
300ml Coconut Water

The quantities for this are somewhat arbitrary and but those I've given will give you a good starting point and you can adjust to suit your own palate.
Hull the strawberries and remove the stalks from the blackcurrants, give them a quick wash before popping them in a blender. Pour over the coconut water, add honey to taste and blitz until smooth. This will give you enough for one tall glass or two short tumblers. 
Best enjoyed drunk through a red and white striped straw. 

Foodie Quine Strawberry, Blackcurrant & Coconut Water Smoothie
Foodie Quine Strawberry, Blackcurrant & Coconut Water Smoothie

Back to the berries. If you don't have them growing in your garden you can track down Scottish growers via the Scottish Berry Trail Leaflet which is available at VisitScotland Information Centres and other relevant outlets, as well as online at www.thinklocalscotland.co.uk. Scotland's berry growers have a reputation for producing the tastiest seasonal fruits around. From the traditional sweetness of strawberries and raspberries to the more tart blackcurrants and redcurrants. Scotland's most northerly blueberries are grown in Aberdeenshire and the new 'superfood' aronia is grown in Angus. These berries provide an array of health benefits, as well as being a delicious and attractive addition to any meal. Whether you want to buy your berries direct from the farmer, pick your own, or sit down and have a cup of tea with a Strawberry Tart, Scotland's Berry Trail will point you in the right direction.


I asked my fellow food bloggers for some more recipes to use the glut of blackcurrants from my garden and they came up with plenty of inspiration. Scottish bloggers also shared the best of their recipes for summer fruits along with one from top Scottish Chef Mark Greenaway . Enjoy these seasonal berries while you can.

Blackcurrant Trifle by Lancashire Food 
Devils Food Cake with Blackcurrant Puree by Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary
Blackcurrant Focaccia by Baking Queen 74
No Bake Summer Fruit Cheesecake by Shetland blog Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary
Chocolate & Berry Pavlova by Southwest Scotland blog Farmersgirl Kitchen
Raspberry Gin by Edinburgh blog The Usual Saucepans
Blueberry Scones by Dundee Blog Tinned Tomatoes
Pimm's Summer Salad by Aberdeenshire blog Foodie Quine
Marinated Strawberries, White Chocolate Cheesecake by Edinburgh Chef Mark Greenaway
Charlotte's Lively Kitchen - Food Year Linkup

18 comments

  1. I do love blackcurrants they have such a rich flavour. Your smoothie looks so good and thanks for including my post in your round up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They can be rather tart on their own but combined with the strawberries they were perfect.

      Delete
  2. Your smoothie looks and sounds delicious. How lovely to be able to use homegrown blackcurrants. Thanks for including my recipe in your berry roundup.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your Blackcurrant Foccacia sound fab. I'm definitely going to give it a go.

      Delete
  3. I love blackcurrants but it's almost impossible to find them where I live now but I really want to try and make a smoothie with coconut water especially that I bought a new blender last week and I haven't tried it yet! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The main think I use my blender for is soups and smoothies. The coconut water worked really well as a base.

      Delete
  4. Mmmm sounds so refreshing. I love all your props too - especially that giant strawberry! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The giant Strawberry is fab isn't it? Its actually a cocktail mug.

      Delete
  5. I love all the different berries you've used. I've just realised that I've never had a fresh black current before. I've got everything to make this, except for the black currents. Hopefully I can pick some up at the store tomorrow. Thanks so much for linking this up to the Breakfast Club.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope you get to try fresh blackcurrants. I've only ever seen them on sale at farm shops and the like not in supermarkets.

      Delete
  6. This sounds so refreshing, Claire! Love your pics! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Refreshing is the perfect word for it! I was pleased with how the photos came out for this one.

      Delete
  7. Wow your smoothie looks delicious and full of so many nutrients!http://www.fadedspring.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tasty, beautiful to look at and good for you. Three birds with one stone.

      Delete
  8. If I lived near you I would have popped over for breakfast. Nice one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would be most welcome to pop round for breakfast at any time Bintu!

      Delete
  9. I was going to try this smoothie but sadly I only have blue, green, brown or yellow and white straws (no red and white) so I'll have to give it a miss :-)

    I'm very jealous of your fruit growing abilities, I can just about manage a few herbs but everything else dies.

    I'm with you on the coconut water, I wouldn't drink it by itself but I suspect it would make a decent base to a smoothie.

    Thanks for joining #FoodYearLinkup, always lovely to have you xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear Charlotte, nothing worse than a non coordinating straw! ;-)
      Lovely to have something to join in with #FoodYearLinkup for this month. Off to check what August has in store...

      Delete

Foodie Quine. Design by Mimi Hammill. Powered by Blogger.