In honor of our upcoming spring break, I wanted to share a recipe that can perfectly coincide with a trip to the beach. In Mexico, it is called “licuado de banana,” which directly translates to banana smoothie. However, I personally don’t think this could be classified as a smoothie because to me, smoothies are fruit based and not mixed with any other liquids, like the milk used in this recipe. This recipe originated in Mexico and is mostly sold by street vendors. Many people drink these alongside their breakfast, or they have it alone to enjoy a quick refreshing drink.

Ingredients: 

• 2 frozen bananas (Or room temperature bananas with added ice) 
• 2 cups of milk (Any choice of milk is fine. If you’re lactose intolerant you may use water, but it may alter the taste of the smoothie) 
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract 
• 2 tablespoons of chocolate powder (I use chocolate milk, but you can also use nesquik. This isn’t necessary, as you can only use bananas if you like, but chocolate can add flavor)

Recipe: 

1. Add bananas into blender
2. Add two cups of milk into a blender
3. Add your vanilla extract into blender
4. Add your chocolate into the blender
5. Then blend until your milkshake/smoothie is even! Personally, I like my licuado a little chunky, but if you prefer it in more of a liquid form then don’t be afraid to blend it longer.   

Once you have blended your smoothie, you can either pour it into a cup, or pour it into a bag and drink it with a straw, which is the traditional way Mexicans drink it.