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    Home » Desserts

    April 19, 2022 Desserts

    Lebanese Avocado and Strawberry Cocktail

    5 from 10 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read our disclaimer.

    This Lebanese avocado and strawberry cocktail combines some of my favorite things: creamy avocado smoothie, ripe strawberries, a delicious cream topping, crunchy almonds, and honey. I have perfected this homemade version so you don't have to go all the way to Lebanon to enjoy it. If you've never had avocados in dessert, you need to try this. I beg you.

    lebanese avocado and strawberry cocktail after layering the ingredients

    Avocado and strawberry cocktails are one of Lebanon's iconic spring and summer desserts. You'll find juice and cocktail bars with a beautiful display of ripe fruits waiting to be chopped and blended into this delicious concoction.

    My absolute favorite thing back home was to go out with friends and family to eat a chicken shawerma wrap with extra toum then walk across the street to order this cocktail.

    Note that the term "cocktail" here does not involve any alcohol. It's basically a smoothie based dessert, but in Lebanon they are called cocktails. If you want to spike it though, be my guest.

    Ingredients

    bowl of strawberries, bowl of milk, dish with peeled almonds, small bowl of honey, small bowl of ricotta, two avocados, a kiwi, a mango, and a banana on a white marble countertop

    Since the fruits are the star of the show, make sure to buy high quality fruits that are in season for best flavor.

    • Avocados: Creates a super creamy smoothie base which is my favorite part of the entire cocktail.
    • Milk: Blended with the avocado to thin out the smoothie and add extra creaminess.
    • Honey: To sweeten the smoothie bases and drizzle on top.
    • Strawberries: For the top smoothie layer, adds nice contrast to the avocado smoothie.
    • Seasonal fruits: Chopped and layered in the cocktail.
    • Ashta: A traditional and super delicious clotted cream. Ricotta is a great substitute.
    • Almonds: For a crunchy and nutty topping.

    Instructions

    Wash and prepare the fruits: Cut the avocado in half and discard the pit. Trim the stems off the strawberries that will be blended. Chop the rest of the fruits into bite sized pieces.

    If you are using ricotta and like floral flavors, mix in rose water and orange blossom water then set aside.

    a wooden cutting board with two avocado halves, a bowl of halved strawberries, and a plate of chopped kiwi, mango, banana, and strawberry

    Blend the avocado with the milk and honey until smooth and creamy, then pour the smoothie equally into two pint glasses or 16 oz beer mugs.

    Spoon the chopped fruits on top of the avocado smoothie.

    Blend the strawberries with water and honey until smooth. Pour the strawberry smoothie equally over the layered avocado smoothie and fruits. Leave a little bit of room at the top.

    Spoon some of the cream mixture on top, then garnish with almonds and a drizzle of honey.

    close of of lebanese avocado and strawberry cocktail with some strawberry smoothie dripping on the sides

    Maybe don't go overboard like I did and don't fill it to the top before adding toppings. Or do. It's delicious either way.

    The creamy avocado, sweet strawberries, ripe fruits, floral cream, crunchy almonds, and that extra drizzle of honey... Drop a straw in there and take a sip. Then eat a spoonful of the fruit and toppings. Repeat. Mmm it is too good.

    lebanese avocado and strawberry cocktail being eaten with a spoon and straw

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Vegan - substitute the milk with a plant-based milk or water, use maple syrup instead of honey, and use a plant-based ricotta as long as it is not savory.
    • Smoothie layers - you don't have to use the same fruits every time. You can make a mango smoothie layer instead of strawberry, or make it all avocado (so good).
    • Ashta - this Middle Eastern clotted cream is difficult to find in the US, and when found, it is often an inferior product. I like to make my own version at home (should I post a recipe?) but a very easy and delicious substitute is a good quality ricotta mixed with some rose water and orange blossom water for a subtle floral flavor.
    • Rose water and orange blossom water - these can be easily found at Middle Eastern grocery stores or in the specialty aisles at some local grocery stores. They can also be ordered online. If you don't want to buy them, just omit them and use plain ricotta but make sure to top it with honey.

    Tips to Make The Best Lebanese Strawberry and Avocado Cocktail

    • Organic, seasonal fruits: Buy the highest quality fruits you can afford for the best flavor.
    • Use cold fruits: Blending causes the smoothie to get warmer, so I like to keep my avocados and other fruits in the fridge at least overnight before making this. Otherwise, add a few ice cubes to the blender to keep the smoothies cool.
    • Adjust to your liking: Taste the smoothie layers before assembling the cocktail. You may like more honey or more milk, etc.
    • Soak the almonds: I like to soak raw almonds overnight in a bowl with water. The next day I can easily remove the skin by squeezing the almonds. You can also soak blanched (peeled) almonds. Soaking gives them a really nice crunch and also makes them easily digestible.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • How long is this good for? This cocktail is best enjoyed immediately for best flavor, color, and freshness.
    • How do I store leftovers? Either cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to a jar with a tight lid and place it in the refrigerator. It will lose freshness quickly, so consume leftovers within 1 or 2 days.
    close up of the glass showing avocado smoothie layer, fruits, strawberry smoothie layer, cream, almonds, and honey

    If you’ve tried making this Lebanese Avocado and Strawberry Cocktail recipe or any other recipe on Forks & Foliage, then please don't forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! I would be so happy to hear how it turned out for you. And if you took any photos or videos, please share them with me on Instagram @forksandfoliage so I can see the deliciousness you made!

    📖 Recipe

    close of of lebanese avocado and strawberry cocktail with some strawberry smoothie dripping on the sides

    Lebanese Avocado and Strawberry Cocktail

    This Lebanese avocado and strawberry cocktail combines some of my favorite things: creamy avocado smoothie, ripe strawberries, a delicious cream topping, crunchy almonds, and honey. If you've never had avocados in dessert, you need to try this.
    5 from 10 votes
    Author: Gladys Soriano
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Lebanese
    Print Pin Rate
    PREP TIME: 10 minutes mins
    TOTAL TIME: 10 minutes mins
    CALORIES PER SERVING: 569
    SERVINGS: 2 people

    EQUIPMENT

    blendtec blender in black
    Blendtec Blender
    two empty beer mugs
    16 oz Mugs

    INGREDIENTS
     

    • 1 large avocado, halved, pit removed, and peeled
    • 1 cup milk
    • 3 tablespoons honey, divided, plus more for garnish
    • 1 ½ cups mixed fruits such as mango, banana, kiwi, strawberry, chopped
    • 1 ½ cups strawberries, stems trimmed
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • ⅓ cup ashta or ricotta
    • ½ teaspoon rose water, optional, to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon orange blossom water, optional, to taste
    • 2 tablespoons blanched almonds
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Place the avocado, milk, and 2 tablespoons honey in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust honey to your liking. Pour the avocado smoothie equally into two 16 oz glasses or beer mugs, filling them about halfway.
    • Spoon the chopped fruits over the avocado layer, splitting them equally between the two glasses.
    • Blend the strawberries, water, and 1 tablespoon honey until smooth. Pour on top of the chopped fruits, giving the glass a gentle shake to let the smoothie settle between the fruits. Leave a bit of space on top.
    • Mix the ricotta with rose water and orange blossom water, then dollop half of the ricotta mixture (or ashta) on top of each glass.
    • Garnish with blanched almonds and a drizzle of honey. Serve with a straw and a spoon.

    NOTES

    • This cocktail is best enjoyed immediately for best flavor, color, and freshness.
    • If you have leftovers, cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a jar with a tight lid and place in the refrigerator. It will lose freshness quickly, so consume leftovers within 1 or 2 days.
    • See full post for ingredient substitutions and variations.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 569kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 1169mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 55g | Vitamin A: 1879IU | Vitamin C: 119mg | Calcium: 304mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition information provided is an estimate and may vary.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @forksandfoliage or tag #forksandfoliage so I can see your delicious creations! And please don't forget to rate and comment below!

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    1. Faith Fontaine says

      January 08, 2023 at 2:58 pm

      I made this today! I did not have the rose water or orange blossom but I did have orange juice so I used that instead - it was INCREDIBLE! I just took my last sip & I want more already!

      Reply
      • Gladys @ Forks and Foliage says

        January 09, 2023 at 4:16 pm

        Hi Faith! I am SO glad you loved this recipe! I just made it yesterday too so we are definitely in sync haha. Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Samantha says

      October 10, 2022 at 6:34 pm

      You never posted the ashta recipe

      Reply
      • Gladys @ Forks and Foliage says

        January 04, 2023 at 11:33 am

        Hi Samantha! I haven't had a chance to post it yet - been a whirlwind the last few months here. But I promise I will share it with you 🙂 Thanks for your patience!

        Reply
    3. Julie Kaplan says

      October 01, 2022 at 6:38 am

      Delicious and beautiful! Make it. You will Love it.

      Reply
      • Gladys @ Forks and Foliage says

        October 03, 2022 at 2:54 pm

        Aw I'm so glad you loved it Julie. It truly is one of my all-time favorite things to eat! Thank you for your comment 🙂

        Reply
    4. Luz says

      August 03, 2022 at 9:07 pm

      I want to try this. Is the ricotta the ricotta cheese?

      Reply
      • Gladys @ Forks and Foliage says

        August 03, 2022 at 9:53 pm

        Yes it's ricotta cheese. Hope you love it!

        Reply
    5. Michele says

      July 31, 2022 at 5:34 pm

      Just found your site and am looking forward to making this and others. I will post my results, hopefully they'll turn out as delicious as yours look! And please post your Ashta recipe! Thank you

      Reply
      • Gladys @ Forks and Foliage says

        August 01, 2022 at 10:16 am

        Hi Michele! Thank you so much for your kind comment! I can't wait to hear which recipes you've tried. And I'll definitely work on posting my ashta recipe 🙂

        Reply

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    I'm so happy you're here! I'm Gladys - the face behind Forks & Foliage. My goal is to help you incorporate more seasonal produce into your everyday cooking while fusing them with flavors that are reminiscent of my childhood in Lebanon. So take a look around and make something delicious! I'd love to hear how it turned out for you!

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