Let's face it, staying both cool and hydrated in the state of Florida is nearly a year-round job.

In this latest episode of the Chef’s Kitchen, Virginia Johnson dipped into the secrets of a popular spot — Smoothie King’s location in Largo.

Their goal is to serve ingredients with a purpose. And they gave us their recipe for their Dragon Fruit Hydration Smoothie.

The Dragon Fruit has a unique look — the shape of a mango with thicker red skin and wide, thick leaves growing upward and poking slightly outward with green tips.

 

Dragon fruit

And, no, the fruit does not come from a Dragon Tree. It comes from a cactus.

“It is also known as Pitaya,” explained Blendologist Kimberly Higgins, “and so it is a great fruit for our smoothies with lots of nutrients."

Here’s a great tip—if you can’t get your hands on a fresh Dragon Fruit, you might be able to get its frozen counterpart — cubed fruit bites.

The smoothie also includes coconut water for electrolyte replacement, along with papaya juice and mangoes.

Here’s what you will need besides a blender …

Dragon Fruit Hydration Smoothie:

  • 1 diced Dragon Fruit or frozen cubed equivalent
  • ½ c. diced Mangoes
  • ½ c. Coconut water
  • 1/3 c. Papaya juice
  • 1 ½ cup ice

Blend and enjoy.