**How to Make McDonald’s-Style Mango Smoothie at Home with Just Three Ingredients**
As the UK basked in a series of summer heatwaves, queues at McDonald’s grew longer with many seeking a cooling and refreshing treat. The Mango and Pineapple Smoothie from McCafe has proven particularly popular, offering a blend of sweetness, tang and hydration that hits the spot in sweltering conditions. However, with the cost of a regular serving from the fast-food chain coming in at £3.29—or £3.71 for a large—some are looking for ways to enjoy the same taste without leaving home, or spending as much.
One food brand, PACK’D, has shared a recipe for a homemade version that promises the same tropical flavour combination using just a handful of ingredients. According to company representatives, their take on the smoothie can be whipped up in merely five minutes and costs less than £1.50 per serving, making it an accessible option for many households.
To create this smoothie, home cooks will need only three core ingredients: mango, pineapple and orange juice. Specifically, the recipe calls for 150g each of mango and pineapple, alongside roughly one-third of a cup of fresh orange juice. The addition of water and ice turns the mixture into a refreshing, slush-like beverage that closely mimics the McDonald’s original.
Preparation is simple. Begin by dicing the mango and pineapple into bite-sized pieces, whether using fresh or frozen fruit. Add the fruit to a high-speed blender with the orange juice and a splash (about a third of a cup) of water. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth. It’s advisable to scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure a perfectly mixed drink. Next, add a cup of ice and blend once more, either pulsing or leaving the machine on for a smooth, thick slushy texture.
Once finished, the drink should be poured into glasses immediately to preserve the icy consistency—especially important during hot weather. This recipe yields approximately three servings, meaning a family can enjoy the treat together or an individual can have a few replenishing servings throughout the day.
Aside from being a cost-effective and speedy way to beat the heat, this homemade smoothie offers a nutritional boost. Mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C, both essential for immune function and maintaining eye health. Some research has even suggested that including mango in the diet can help with appetite management for those pursuing weight loss.
Pineapple, meanwhile, brings a host of its own benefits. It’s known for its vitamin C content, but also contains bromelain—an enzyme linked to improved digestion as well as wound healing and reduced inflammation. In addition to these nutritional qualities, the smoothie offers pure hydration, providing a tasty and healthy alternative to traditional sugary soft drinks.
The homemade smoothie stands as a testament to the fact that convenience and health need not be mutually exclusive. With supermarket costs for pineapple and mango typically under £5 for 300g portions—and orange juice available for less than 50p per 100ml—these slushies represent good value, especially when compared to the price at the fast-food counter.
Food experts recommend using frozen mango and pineapple if available, not only for convenience but also to guarantee the smoothie’s chilled, thick texture. Spending a total of just five minutes in the kitchen could yield a result that rivals any coffee shop creation—and give families an activity to try on a warm summer’s afternoon.
As more Britons search for ways to replicate their favourite high-street drinks at home, recipes like this are fast becoming the go-to solution for summertime refreshment. With only a blender and a few simple ingredients required, the homemade mango smoothie is a trend likely to outlast the UK’s brief but intense hot spells.