Papaya milkshake

This papaya milkshake is really easy to make and such a refreshing drink. It's delicately flavored, creamy and so enjoyable on a warm day, or to pretend you are somewhere tropical!

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Papaya is definitely one of my favorite fruits and I have many memories of enjoying it in a tropical fruit salad or simply with some lime particularly in Mexico, bit also elsewhere.

As I mentioned when I shared my papaya boat recipe, though, it is one of those fruits that does need to be properly ripe to be at it's best flavor. And unfortunately, when it's coming from further afield, it can be harder to get a really good one. When I do, though, I love to enjoy it in all ways possible, and this papaya shake is a great option in the mix.

Where is papaya milkshake from?

Papaya is a tropical fruit, originally from Mexico, and these days grown throughout the tropical regions and some subtropical regions. So it's no doubt not a surprise this drink originates in the tropics.

This tasty drink goes by the name "batida de lechosa" in the Dominican Republic where it is one of the most popular drinks. You will also find it in Cuba and other countries in the region.

Papaya milk, which is essentially the same, is also popular in Taiwan and is a staple in the famous night markets, along with tasty snacks like scallion pancakes and oyster omelette. There it apparently came about after street vendors experimenting with different fruits and milk (this article has some interesting background).

Ingredients in papaya milkshake

The ingredients for this drink can vary a little from place to place, and depending on tastes, though all are pretty simple. It's essentially a really simple smoothie.

In the Dominican Republic, you typically use papaya, evaporated milk and a little vanilla extract. Regular fresh milk is used sometimes instead. You might add a little sugar or honey to sweeten it. To make it cold, you usually add ice cubes in which both cool it and give that creamy, thicker texture.

In Taiwan, meanwhile, you simply use papaya and regular milk, sometimes with a little sweetened condensed milk to sweeten slightly. Some use fresh papaya while others freeze the papaya in cubes so that it makes the drink colder. 

Here I've gone more with the Dominican style, though using fresh milk and unsweetened, but you can easily adjust to your taste. Sweeten, or don't, use more or no vanilla.

I recommend using whole milk so that it has a creamier texture, but you can use skimmed milk, or non-dairy milk such as almond milk if you prefer or to suit diet. 

Choosing a ripe papaya

It's important to use a really ripe papaya for this as it will make a difference to the end drink. Papaya has a relatively delicate flavor, and since it becomes diluted, you need the ripe papaya flavor to ensure it comes through well.

Papaya flesh is deeper in color - an orange-pink color - when it is fully ripe. It should be pretty soft as well. If you are picking out a whole fruit, the skin should be a yellow color and have a slight give when you press it gently. You may be able to smell the fruit too, though that's not always the case particularly when imported.

If the skin is green or only a little yellow, and the flesh pale, yellow and firm, it's not ripe enough. Under-ripe papaya is great for savory green papaya salads but it doesn't have the sweet fruit flavor you need here.

But nicely ripe is perfect for this as well as a papaya boat or in a tropical fruit salad.

After you have made this shake, be sure to enjoy it as soon as possible as it doesn't keep particularly well. The papaya can sour the milk a little if left combined too long, and if nothing else, it won't be as chilled.

This papaya milkshake is creamy, fruity, cool and delicious. It's really quick to make and perfectly refreshing. Plus a great way to use some tasty papaya, when you have some available.

Try these other easy smoothies and cooling drinks:

• Apple banana smoothie (a big favorite in our house - tastes almost like apple pie!)
• Coconut watermelon agua fresca (so easy and refreshing)
• Mint lemonade (limonana, also wonderfully refreshing, relatively tart though you can sweeten more to taste)
• Plus get more drinks recipes in the archives.

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

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