Last week, I shared my Chocolate Cherry Milkshake, which was based on my original Chocolate Milkshake and made from yummy ingredients that I had on hand. Today I’m sharing my Purple Cow recipe, which I made as part of my own birthday celebration.
Like the Chocolate Cherry Shake, this cooling concoction is also simply a creation from the contents of my fridge/freezer at the time. I didn’t use grape soda, grape juice, or grapes in any form, or even black raspberry based-ice cream, which all seem to constitute proper Purple Cows. Instead I combined fruits with the primary colors of red—raspberries—and blue—blueberries—to create my purple cow, plus three more basic ingredients—coconut milk, bananas, and orange juice—which I always have at the ready.
These kinds of smoothie/milkshake creations are far from rocket science. You add a little bit of this and a little bit of that, adjusting amounts and adding other ingredients if necessary. This Purple Cow beverage recipe is gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegan, raw, sugar free, and more free, but after meeting the gluten-free requirement, most important of all to me is that it’s simple and satisfying—that’s always my favorite combo!
Purple Cow
How now Purple Cow! Change things up with this summer smoothie/shake style beverage made from coconut milk, bananas, berries, and orange juice. Yes, it's as yummy as you think!
Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk, preferably chilled
- 1 cup raspberries, preferably frozen
- 2 bananas, preferably frozen
- 2/3 cup blueberries, preferably chilled
- ½ cup orange juice, fresh and preferably chilled
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender and blend until well mixed.
Notes
If all your ingredients are not frozen or chilled, just add several ice cubes to get the proper chill factor and consistency. Makes about four 8-ounce servings.
Originally published July 24, 2013; updated June 10, 2024.
Kristina says
I used to LOVE a Purple Cow!! …and our college version was always spiked. 🙂
a great part of a birthday celebration – happy happy once again! XO
Shirley says
Hey Kristina!–Weren’t the college versions of EVERYTHING spiked? 😉 Mr. GFE used to make a purple concoction back in college (before we met) called Purple Jesus, or PJ for short. We still have the 5-gallon crock that he would make it in, but it’s only been used for hat and mitten storage in our front hall for many years. LOL
Thanks so much for the additional birthday wishes, dear! I’m really doing a fantastic job of stretching this one out! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Megan @ Allergy Free Alaska says
How now Purple Cow?! LOL! I LOVE the name! And it’s sure to make children smile too (and even better yet there’s no added sweetener!).
I hope your birthday was amazing, Shirley!
xoxo,
Megan
Shirley says
Hehe, Megan! “Shirley humor” is usually so tame. 😉 And, yes, I did love that this concoction turned our perfectly sweet without adding any additional sweetener!
Thanks again for the birthday wishes! As you know, I’m still celebrating!! 🙂
xoxo,
Shirley
Sarah || Celiac in the City says
YES! It’s cold beverage time around here too — I still need to get up north to get our ice cream maker so I can make those watermelon bevvies! 🙂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU, my dear. xoxo
Shirley says
Honey, you just might need two ice cream makers! 😉 Looking forward to your reports when you do get to make some of these delightful frozen concoctions! And, thanks MUCH for all the birthday love! 🙂
xoxo,
Shirley
Mama Lee says
This looks WONDERFUL. I will have to try it :). I love your recipes & blog and hope your birthday was fabulous!!
Shirley says
Thanks so much on all, Mama Lee!! 🙂 Hope you enjoy your Purple Cow and everything else you try on gfe! 😉
Shirley
Lauren says
Yum Shirley, this looks delicious, and what a cute name. 😀 I’m avoiding bananas right now, but when I add them back, I will have to try this out. I bet that coconut milk makes it just luscious!
Shirley says
Hi Lauren!–Thanks so much! 🙂 I’m guessing that you can substitute something else for the bananas. I’ve been eating a lot of chayote squash this week in Mexico and I absolutely love it. I’ve read about it before and seen it, but had never eaten it until now. Cooked and pureed it would not offer as much sweetness as bananas do, but I bet the texture match would be pretty good. I’ve read of folks subbing chayote for avocados before. I was just reading that during the depression era that it was also used as a substitute for part of the apples in apple pie. 😉 Interesting, huh? And I do love using coconut milk. I always seem to have a leftover cup of coconut milk in the fridge, just waiting to be used in smoothies/shakes, sauces, etc. 🙂
Shirley
InTolerant Chef says
A very happy and yummy birthday indeed!
Shirley says
Yes, every indulgence during my birthday month is for my birthday! 😉 Thanks, dear!
Shirley
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents says
I have never had a Purple Cow and I didn’t even know what was in it…thanks for clearing that up! 🙂 Visiting from Rattlebridge Farm.
Shirley says
Good to see you here again, Stacy! Love Foodie Friday over at Michael’s. 🙂 Here’s to making your own delish Purple Cow soon! 😉
Shirley
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
mmm, sounds great!
Shirley says
Hi Sarah–I think you’re new to gfe–welcome and thanks! 🙂 Love the name of your blog, The Pajama Chef! 😉
Shirley
Amber says
Happy Birthday to YOU, Shirley!! What a great smoothie. I’m right there with you lady…it’s hot here too and I’m craving smoothies like a made woman.
I do hope you had a wonderful birthday celebration. Here’s to a great year filled with love, peace, and laughter.
Big hugs to you my friend.
xo,
–Amber
Shirley says
Thank you, thank you on all, Amber!! 🙂 Super simple meals and smoothies have been the name of the game for me at home lately. I bet both you and your family have been enjoying your smoothie creations! Aren’t they just the easiest and the best? 😉
Love your beautiful birthday wishes to me! I’m totally visualizing such a year! 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Gretchen @gfedge says
Great way to make purple using the whole foods color wheel! I busted out my blender today as the temps here are hitting the 100’s. So here’s to keeping it cool with our cold nutritious beverages!
Shirley says
Hi Gretchen–Thanks! The blender can be a fab tool for “coping” this time of year, right? 😉
Stay cool, stay cool! 🙂
Shirley
Cindy Z says
The Purple Cow is delicious. If you’d like a boost of protein and fiber I would suggest adding a “soomful” ( a teaspoon ) of soom foods tehina to your smoothie. It’s gluten free, peanut free and 100% natural.
Shirley says
Hi Cindy–Glad you enjoy a good Purple Cow! 🙂
Shirley
Alisa says
That’s a delicious way to celebrate your birthday and so healthy – in typical Shirley fashion!
Shirley says
Thanks, Alisa! You always leave the nicest comments. 🙂 Btw, I’m still celebrating my birthday. 😉
Shirley
Kim-Cook It Allergy Free says
Loving this purple cow! A perfect way to celebrate for sure! And I know my boys would love this! My blender gets a ton of use in the summer just because we crave cold and creamy drinks when it is so stinkin’ hot! Now we have a new concoction to add to the mix. LOL 😀
XO
k
Shirley says
Kim–Thanks! I agree on the blender usage during the summer. These types of drinks really do help, don’t they? 😉 Hope you and the boys enjoy this one! 🙂
Happy Summer and Cold, Creamy Beverages!
Shirley
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat says
Aw, we made Purple Cows in my kindergarten classroom during Color Week. Vanilla ice cream with Grape Crush poured over top. Ick. Yes, it’s what we’re raising the leaders of tomorrow on! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the much improved version at Raw Foods Thursdays!!
Shirley says
Heather–Yes, those were the ones I was trying to avoid. 😉 I hope that some folks start bucking the tradition and insisting upon real food ways to celebrate color week. Color week would be a fantastic way to celebrate real food! 🙂 Love Raw Foods Thursdays!
xo,
Shirley
Aubree Cherie @ Living Free says
I love this – it’s creative, and frankly, sounds a lot better than a ‘traditional’ purple cow. Would love to try it! Thanks for sharing this with Naturally Sweet Tuesday – the linkup for this week is live, if you are interested. Thanks!!! ~Aubree
Shirley says
Thanks so much, Aubree! I’m all for that type of drink, especially this time of year. 😉 Loving Naturally Sweet Tuesdays—thanks!
Shirley