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If you’ve never tried ugli fruit before, this smoothie is one of the easiest and most refreshing ways to use it.

Ugli fruit has a bright citrus flavor somewhere between an orange, grapefruit, and tangerine, giving this smoothie a fresh tropical flavor that feels perfect for warm mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups.

The banana adds creaminess while the pineapple juice helps balance the tart citrus flavor beautifully.

This is such a fun smoothie recipe when you want something a little different from the usual berry blends while still keeping things simple and easy to make.

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Why You’ll Love This Ugli Fruit Smoothie

• A fun and refreshing way to try ugli fruit
• Bright citrus flavor with a tropical twist
• Quick and easy to make in just minutes
• Creamy, fruity, and incredibly refreshing
• Great for warm weather mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups
• Easy to customize with your favorite fruits or milk options
• A delicious smoothie recipe that feels a little different from the usual banana or berry blends
• Perfect for anyone who loves citrus flavors like orange, grapefruit, or tangerine

What is Ugli Fruit?

Ugli fruit is a Jamaican citrus fruit that is believed to be a cross between a grapefruit, orange, and tangerine. Despite the unusual name and rough outer appearance, the fruit inside is juicy, sweet, and incredibly refreshing.

It has a bright citrus flavor with just enough tartness to make it perfect for smoothies, juices, and tropical fruit recipes.

Ugli Fruit (outside)

It is not an attractive fruit at all. In fact, it’s … well, ugly. Hence, it’s very appropriate name. A truly odd looking fruit with an unsightly appearance.

Ugli Fruit (inside)

On the inside, it would be hard to distinguish between an orange; with the exception to the fact that is offers more fleshy fruit than an orange would.
Flavor wise, you have a very orangey, citrus flavor, with a bit of a tang at the end – almost like a lemon. They are sweet and delicious and quite juicy. From what I understand, they are quite popular in Jamaica and used primarily as a beverage blended up the same way you would make lemonade.

What Does Ugli Fruit Taste Like?

Ugli fruit tastes like a mix of orange, grapefruit, and tangerine flavors. It has the bright citrus flavor of an orange with a little of the tartness found in grapefruit, but it is usually milder and sweeter overall.

Because of that balance, it works especially well in smoothies and tropical drinks.

Is Ugli Fruit Good in Smoothies?

Yes! Ugli fruit works surprisingly well in smoothies because the citrus flavor pairs beautifully with creamy fruits like banana and tropical flavors like pineapple, mango, and coconut.

The result is a smoothie that tastes refreshing, bright, and slightly tropical without feeling too heavy.

Ingredient Notes & Easy Substitutions

• Use frozen banana for a thicker smoothie
• Coconut milk gives a wonderfully tropical flavor
• Use Greek yogurt – plain or vanilla for extra creaminess
• If your fruit is extra tart, use honey as a sweetner.
• Frozen pineapple will make for a colder smoothie

How to Make an Ugli Fruit Smoothie

• Peel and cut up the ugli fruit and try to only keep the fleshy juicy part and not the skin around each segment – it just tastes better that way.
• Peel and slice the banana.
• Put the ugli fruit segments, banana, pineapple juice, milk and sugar into your blender and process until smooth. (or as smooth as you like – we left some random pieces of fruit in there).
• Add the ice and blend again.
• Pour into cups and serve immediately.

What Fruits Pair Well With Ugli Fruit?

• bananas
• pineapple
• mango
• strawberries
• oranges
• peaches
• coconut
• lime

Tropical fruits and creamy fruits tend to balance the citrus flavor especially well.

Can I Make This Smoothie Dairy-Free?

Absolutely. You can substitute almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or another non-dairy milk very easily.

How to Sweeten an Ugli Fruit Smoothie Naturally

Depending on the ripeness of your ugli fruit, you may want a little extra sweetness. Honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, or additional banana all work well without overpowering the citrus flavor.

Can You Freeze Ugli Fruit?

Yes. Ugli fruit can be frozen for future smoothies and drinks.

Peel the fruit, separate it into segments, and freeze the pieces on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag.

Tips for the Best Citrus Smoothie

• Use chilled ingredients for the freshest flavor
• Blend the citrus first for a smoother texture
• Add ice slowly to avoid watering down the flavor
• Frozen fruit creates a thicker smoothie
• Taste before adding sweetener since ugli fruit sweetness can vary

What to Serve With This Smoothie

This smoothie pairs well with muffins, breakfast casseroles, pancakes, or simple grab-and-go breakfasts when you want something refreshing alongside a more filling meal.

This smoothie pairs perfectly with easy breakfast recipes when you want something quick but refreshing in the morning.

This Smoothie Is Perfect For:

• people tired of the same berry smoothies
• citrus lovers
• tropical smoothie fans
• anyone curious about ugli fruit
• quick breakfasts
• refreshing summer drinks
• easy afternoon smoothies

How to Pick the Best Ugli Fruit

Look for ugli fruit that feels heavy for its size and has slightly soft skin. Even though the outside looks rough or bumpy, the inside should feel juicy and fragrant.

A little softness is normal and usually means the fruit is ripe and sweet. You can find them at some local grocery store, supermarket, farmer’s market or online.

Ugli Fruit Smoothie Recipe

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