In honor of our 35th wedding anniversary, I’m sharing something extra special with you: MARRY ME FRUIT COCKTAIL!
If you ever travel to the Middle East and order a fruit cocktail, chances are you’ll be in for a delicious surprise! Forget what you might expect from a traditional cocktail. This Middle Eastern favorite is a beautiful combination of fresh, juicy fruit layered with silky blended fruit, then topped with Ashta (Arabic clotted cream) and a generous sprinkle of blanched nuts.
It’s colorful, refreshing, creamy, and naturally sweet, with different textures and flavors in every spoonful. The combination of ripe fruit, rich Ashta, and crunchy almonds and cashews is simply irresistible!
This is one of those treats my husband and I absolutely love, and what better way to celebrate 35 years of marriage than by sharing something delicious that brings us so much joy?
I hope you get to try it and enjoy it as much as we do!
Ingredients
For the fruit base:
- 1 mango
- 2 bananas
- 1 avocado
- Strawberries, as needed
- 1 orange
- Blueberries, optional
- Milk of your choice, as needed
- Honey, to taste
For the topping:
- Ashta (Arabic clotted cream)
- Blanched almonds
- Cashews, soaked until softened
Instructions
- Start by preparing the nuts. Place the almonds in a bowl, cover with freshly boiled water, and let them soak for about 30 minutes. Drain and gently peel off the skins. For the cashews, soak them in warm tap water until softened, then drain.
- Cut your fruit into bite-sized pieces. Divide the fresh fruit between two serving glasses. I used one banana, half the mango, strawberries, and blueberries. Squeeze the juice of one orange and divide it evenly between the two glasses.
- For the first blended layer, combine the remaining half of the mango with half a banana, a splash of milk, and honey to taste. Blend until smooth and creamy, then divide between the glasses.
- For the second layer, blend the avocado with the remaining half banana, a little milk, and honey until silky smooth. Gently spoon or pour it over the mango layer.
- For the third layer, blend the strawberries with honey until smooth. Add a little milk if needed to help the mixture blend, then carefully layer it over the avocado mixture.
- Finish each glass with a generous dollop of Ashta and a sprinkle of blanched almonds and softened cashews.
Serve immediately with a spoon and enjoy every delicious layer!
Thirty-five years of marriage, countless memories, and still finding joy in the little things — especially when there’s something sweet to share. Here’s to love, laughter, and many more years together! ❤️🥂