*Heinz has partnered with Smoothie King to create a beverage unlike anything the condiment brand has ever done before — the Heinz Tomato Ketchup Smoothie.
Launching Aug. 6, this limited-time drink blends sweet and savory in an unexpected way, marking the first ketchup-based smoothie to hit the market. As AllRecipes reports, the collaboration plays off the internet’s recurring tongue-in-cheek question: “If tomatoes are a fruit, is ketchup a smoothie?”
To answer, Heinz teamed with Smoothie King to produce a drink that blends Heinz Simply Ketchup, free of artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup, with açai sorbet, apple juice, strawberries, and raspberries. The result is described as “sweet and fruity” with a “tangy” ketchup finish.
“After months of meticulous R&D, testing, and tasting, we landed on a savory-sweet blend that celebrates the tomato in all its glory,” said Lori Primavera, Vice President of R&D and Product Marketing at Smoothie King.
The smoothie will be available at participating Smoothie King locations in five markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Miami, and select areas of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey. Priced at $5.70, it will be sold while supplies last during peak tomato season.
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One early taster admitted going in with doubts despite being a longtime Heinz fan. “The very first words out of my mouth were ‘Why do I like this so much?’” they said. While expecting a strong ketchup presence, they instead found the drink to be more tomato-flavored than vinegar-forward, with berry and apple notes dominating.
The taster writes: “Instead, the smoothie tastes more like berries and apple juice, with a touch of tangy tomato on the end. I really enjoyed the smoothie because it wasn’t overly sweet—likely due to the tangy, ketchup element. It was actually very refreshing and ultimately perfect for a hot, summery, tomato season day. Don’t believe me? I guess you’ll have to try it for yourself.”
The Heinz Tomato Ketchup Smoothie offers a distinctive summer twist that might surprise even the most skeptical drinkers.
