When I saw people starting to get this thing called a “Unicorn Drink” from Starbucks, I freaked a little and told Jared, “we have to go get one because it’s my brand colors!” All the pictures on social media looked like a grown up version of a bubble gum ice cream milkshake. I was already planning on visiting Starbucks to experience this.
But before I could even hit up Starbucks, I saw multiple people posting on Facebook about the amount of sugar and unhealthy colorings in this frap (imagine that). Not to mention people said it didn’t even taste that good… Considering I try to post on health and living well on my blog, I figured that this Uni Frap wasn’t in my future.
However, the next morning, I thought to myself, surely I could make something similar that is actually healthy. And how cool would that be?! To be able to have a drink that looks like it’s straight out of Rainbow Brite (holla back to my born-in-the-90’s people) that you can actually feel good about for having for breakfast? Yes.
So I started doing my research and concocted this fun recipe! There are some other healthy Unicorn Frappuccino recipes out there, but what I love about this one is that I incorporated couple of amazing superfoods into the mix! Acai not only gives the smoothie a pretty purple color, but also promotes heart health. Also, the blue algae powder (commonly known as Blue Majik) prevents inflammation and is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet (according to Google). Lemons are an antioxidant powerhouse, and they also give a fun tartness to the blue swirl part of the frap. While I did not try the actual Starbucks Uni Frap, I learned that the main flavor is a creamy mango and the blue part is some kind of tart cream or something. Kind of weird, but we’ll go with it! I tried to keep this recipe similar; the main portion is made of mango with a frozen banana for thickness, and then ice to make it more of a drinkable slushie. The whipped topping on top? It’s a super easy and healthy alternative to whipped cream – just whip full fat coconut milk and some sweetener!
The number one thing I noticed on social media about this drink is that parents were getting it for kids; parents, please consider this healthier alternative! Not only is it better for you kiddo’s body, but they are less likely to go crazy-hyperactive from all of those unnatural dyes. It even makes a really fun project to do together! Here’s how…
First you’ll want to make the blue part, because that goes swirled on the inside of the cup. Just mix the ingredients below in a small bowl and put them into a baggie with a spatula. Cut the tip of the baggie for swirl tool.
Blue Swirl
One Blue Majik to-go stick
½ cup citrus (or favorite) yogurt
2 tbs of lemon or grapefruit juice (for sour taste)
Put the cup with the swirled blue mixture in the fridge while you make part two. For the pink part, simply dump these items into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into your chilled glass. So pretty!
Pink Smoothie Base
1 & ½ cups of frozen mango chunks
½ frozen banana
1 cup raspberries
½ citrus (or favorite flavor) yogurt
1 ½ tsp acai
½ cup of ice
Now for the ever-important whipped topping. Just take the can of coconut milk and put it in a stand-mixer bowl. Add some sweetener and beat until fluffy. Dollop or pipe on top of your drink, and sprinkle a little bit of Blue Majik and acai powder on top for that pretty finish!
Coconut Milk Whipped Cream
One can of coconut milk
Natural sweetener of choice (agave, honey, or date syrup, which I used)
I hope you had as much fun making this (or at least reading about it) as I did! I’m thinking I need to get a clear glass tumbler so I can take this pretty drink with me on the go! And hey, I actually think it tastes pretty great! Take that, Starbucks.
