Pina Colada Smoothie A Refreshing Drink

I recently tried a strawberry and banana pina colada smoothie at a local eatery. It arrived icy cold at the table and was one of the most refreshing fruit drinks I can remember sampling.

After a few sips I went up to the counter where the cooks were working and asked how the drink was made. Nothing could be simpler, they explained: Frozen, unsweetened strawberries and frozen bananas are pureed in a blender or food processor and then combined with pina colada juice or mix.

This is the perfect drink to offer friends who stop by unexpectedly during the summer, and can be offered in place of orange or grapefruit juice for brunch. By increasing the amount of strawberries or bananas to make the mixture thicker, it could even become a delicious quick mousse to serve for dessert.

Virgin Strawberry-Banana Pina Coladas

2 medium ripe bananas

1 (12-ounce) bag frozen whole strawberries, unsweetened

1/2 cup pina colada fruit juice or mix

4 medium strawberries, cleaned and sliced lengthwise up to but not through the stems

4 mint sprigs

Place unpeeled bananas in freezer 30 to 40 minutes to chill. Peel bananas and place in blender or food processor fitted with metal blade. Add strawberries and process several seconds to puree. Add pina colada juice or mix and process few seconds more until mixture is smooth.

Fill 4 glasses (about 10-ounce size) or large wine glasses with fruit mixture. Slide cut strawberry over rim of each glass and garnish with mint sprig. Serve with straws for sipping.

Yield: 4 servings.