Taste from Afar: Vitamina Mista

The Brasilian Smoothie

For most, when they think of cuisine in Rio, it’s probably a caipirinha on the sand, or seafood in one of the chic beachside restaurants. But for me, it’s venturing a few streets back from the beach to one of several classic “lanchonetes” or open-air lunch counters, where they serve snacks, sandwiches, and one of my favorite Brazilian treats: the Vitamina (or smoothie). Piles of fresh fruits decorate the bar counter, and it is those very stacks from which fruits are peeled and dumped into the blender. Avocado is essential for the flavor and achieving the required thickness of a Vitamina, giving it a silky richness that compliments the tropical acidity of fruits like mango and banana. Blend with a little ice and milk, and behold a frosty shake that perfectly quenches the palate on a hot day in Ipanema.

Where to get one:

Confeitaria e Lanchonete Ipanema, Rua Visc. de Piraja, 325 - Ipanema, Rio de Janerio

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LQ39w1BNGUYfZL3H9

Recipe: Vitamina Mista

½ Avocado

1 Sliced Mango

1 Banana

4 Strawberries

¼ c. Condensed Milk

½ c. Milk (plus more for achieving desired thickness)

Ice

Blend with the goal of creating a thick, frosty smoothie texture; and serve.

Photo Source: Syllogi and Google

Syllogi’s ‘Musings’ is a series helping you paint a picture of a destination while traveling from your living room. From relevant books and articles, inspiring movies and tv shows, to songs and even treats and dishes, our goal is to curate a sensory experience that will prepare you for an upcoming trip, reminiscence on adventures past, or simply to envision a place that exists in your bucket list fantasies.