Mamey (Sapote) Smoothie

This traditional mamey sapote smoothie is a sweet and refreshing tropical drink made with mamey (sapote) fruit, milk, vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon. It’s just like abuela used to make and it’s ready to enjoy in minutes!

With spring here, summer is just around the corner and I must share one of my favorite smoothies ever. This delicious mamey smoothie was my favorite as a child. My abuela used to make it for our afternoon snack all the time and I couldn’t help but get really happy every time she did.

I shared a healthier version of this smoothie for those who are watching their diets, but if you really want to try this amazing smoothie in all its glory, then this is the recipe for you.

My grandmother was a very practical woman and did not like to complicate herself with difficult recipes, especially for merienda time. So as you can imagine this was a rather easy smoothie with very simple ingredients.

You just need to blend the ingredients together until smooth. The result will be a refreshing smoothie with a sweet earthy flavor that is difficult to describe but incredibly delicious.

Be sure to check out my Mango Banana Smoothie and Pineapple and Spinach Smoothie too!

Ingredients

• Mamey – Also known as Sapote or Zapote
• Milk – Any type of milk can be used for this recipe.
• Sugar – This is for an added boost of sweetening, although you can substitute for Stevia or honey if needed. 
• Vanilla Extract – Vanilla gives smoothies a boost of sweetened flavor that makes this recipe all the more enjoyable. 
• Cinnamon – Mamey pairs well with spices like cinnamon, as well as vanilla or even nutmeg. Give it a try to see what I mean.
• Ice – This smoothie is best enjoyed cold. The more ice, the better.

How to make a mamey sapote smoothie

It’s so easy to make this tropical drink. Just add all of the ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mamey?

The mamey or sapote (Zapote) as it is known in the Dominican Republic is a tree native to Mexico and Central America, and its fruit is eaten throughout Latin America. It has a unique flavor with hints of apricot, persimmon, and sweet potato. It’s creamy but not overly sweet. 

Other than smoothies, mamey is a popular fruit to add in recipes for ice cream, pies, jam, fruit salads, and plenty of other desserts. 

Where does Mamey Sapote come from and where does it grow?

Mamey fruit trees are native to areas of the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and the West Indies — including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, and the Philippines. Mamey sapote trees also grow in Puerto Rico and South Florida, especially within Miami-Dade or Homestead. It also goes by different names such as Mammea Americana, mammee apple, Santo-Domingo apricot, red mamey, or Pouteria Sapota. 

What does Mamey Sapote look like?

Mamey sapote, when cut, appears similar to avocado with the seed found in the core center, but with a reddish-orange flesh that may remind some of the papaya. 

Where do you find It?

Mamey can be found in the produce section at your local grocery store most likely during its harvest season from May through July. Otherwise, you can always find it in the frozen Hispanic products section.  

What does the Mamey Sapote taste like?

Mamey is very rich and creamy in texture, although it tastes much like a baked sweet potato. Others will say it also tastes like pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie. The flavor is often compared to a blend of pumpkin, peach, and hints of apricot or cantaloupe. It is often eaten ripe as it is very bitter and astringent when unripe. 

How do you know when it is ripe and how to eat it?

Much like other fruits or vegetables such as avocado, the mamey sapote should feel firm when squeezing the fruit, but not hard. If you scratch off some skin close to the stem it should be a reddish color. If it is green it is not ripe. 

What are the nutritional benefits of the Mamey Sapote?

Not only is the mamey sapote so delicious, but it also has many health benefits. Some examples are that it’s rich in fiber which is beneficial for colon health. It’s a good source of potassium as well as iron, which helps prevent anemia. Mamey is also rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, which is great for immunity. In many cases, it’s superior in nutrition to its cousin sapodilla. 

What’s the best milk to use for this smoothie?

You can make these smoothies with either plant-based or dairy milk. Dairy milk creates a richer and creamier smoothie, but you can make this drink dairy-free and vegan by using almond, oat, or coconut milk.

Can you make this smoothie ahead of time?

Smoothies are best enjoyed as soon as you’ve blended them so that they are nice and fresh. If you do have leftovers, you can cover them and keep them refrigerated, though it’s best to drink them within 24 hours. Be sure to mix it thoroughly before you drink it.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• It’s best to use a high-speed blender if you have one. If you don’t, you will need to scrape down the sides a couple of times and it will take an extra minute or two to get a nice smooth consistency.
• This traditional mamey sapote smoothie recipe is delicious as is, but you can easily add in other fruits like banana or mango. The sugar can be swapped with honey or maple syrup if you prefer.
• Use ripe mamey for this smoothie recipe. It should be firm but not hard, and if you scratch off some skin close to the stem it should be a reddish color. If it is green it is not ripe.
• If you can’t find the fresh fruit, you can also use the frozen mamey fruit to make this smoothie. Get it in the Hispanic frozen products section at the supermarket.

More Smoothie Recipes

• Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
• Blueberry Banana Oats Smoothie
• Piña Colada Dulce de Leche Smoothie