The age-old question—“Is a tomato Ketchup a fruit or a vegetable?”—has long been a playful debate. But a new twist on the culinary conundrum has recently taken the internet by storm: “If tomatoes are a fruit, does that make ketchup a smoothie?” What started as a light-hearted meme has now become a flavorful reality. Global condiment giant HEINZ and smoothie powerhouse Smoothie King have teamed up to answer the question in the most unexpected (and refreshingly bold) way possible—with the launch of the world’s first-ever ketchup-based smoothie.
Introducing the HEINZ Tomato Ketchup Smoothie, a limited-edition summer creation that blends real fruit with the unmistakable zing of HEINZ Simply Tomato Ketchup. Developed with care and creativity, this surprising fusion is designed to challenge expectations and deliver a deliciously tangy and fruity sip that’s as refreshing as it is conversation-starting. Just in time for tomato harvest season—when HEINZ tomatoes are at their peak ripeness—the unique smoothie is now available at select Smoothie King locations across the country, but only while supplies last.
A Bold Blend for a Summer Moment
Smoothies are having a major cultural moment. Celebrity-inspired blends, functional nutrition smoothies, and seasonal fruit flavors dominate social media and wellness circles. Over the past year, there have been millions of smoothie-related posts online—and during the summer months, thousands of smoothie photos, recipes, and reviews surface daily. Tapping into this moment of smoothie obsession, HEINZ and Smoothie King decided to stir things up by merging the worlds of condiments and blended beverages.
The result is a smoothie unlike any other: a daring combination of sweet Acai sorbet, crisp apple juice, juicy strawberries, and tart raspberries, balanced with the rich, tangy flavor of HEINZ Simply Tomato Ketchup. The ketchup itself is a standout ingredient—made from red ripe tomatoes and free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and sweeteners. What emerges from the blender is a fruity, refreshing smoothie with a subtle ketchup finish—both surprising and satisfying.
The Brands Behind the Blend
“At HEINZ, we’re always looking for innovative and fun ways to engage with our fans, especially when it comes to food culture,” said Angie Madigan, Vice President of Elevation Marketing at Kraft Heinz. “When we saw this cultural debate gaining momentum, we knew we had to chime in with a flavorful response. We didn’t want to create a novelty drink—we wanted something truly enjoyable and thoughtfully made. That’s where Smoothie King came in. Their expertise in fruit-forward recipes and commitment to clean ingredients helped us create a smoothie that not only settles the debate but actually tastes incredible.”
For both brands, quality and integrity of ingredients remain at the forefront. HEINZ Simply Tomato Ketchup is crafted from a carefully curated selection of ingredients—just seven in total—including vine-ripened tomatoes, which are cultivated by dedicated “tomato masters.” These experts oversee the journey from field to bottle, ensuring only the ripest, juiciest tomatoes make it into the final product.
On the other side of the blender, Smoothie King brings its Clean Blends Promise—a pledge to avoid more than 75 banned ingredients, including artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. This commitment aligns closely with HEINZ’s natural approach to food, creating a partnership rooted in mutual values.
“This collaboration was definitely a fun challenge,” said Lori Primavera, Vice President of R&D and Product Marketing at Smoothie King. “Our team went through extensive R&D and numerous taste tests to make sure the flavor profile was balanced, approachable, and, most importantly, delicious. We aimed to celebrate the tomato, not mask it, and I think we’ve delivered a savory-sweet experience that smoothie fans and ketchup lovers can both appreciate. And like all of our smoothies, it meets our high standards for nutrition and clean ingredients.”
A Limited-Time Summer Treat
The timing of the launch is no accident. Summer is not only peak tomato harvest season—it’s also prime smoothie season, when heatwaves across the country drive demand for cold, refreshing drinks. By releasing the HEINZ Tomato Ketchup Smoothie in August, both brands are tapping into this natural craving while shining a spotlight on the freshness of the tomato.
Starting August 6, the smoothie will be available for $5.70 at select Smoothie King locations across five major U.S. markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Miami, and parts of the Greater New York area and Northern New Jersey. Given the product’s limited nature, fans are encouraged to act quickly to snag a taste before it disappears.
To find the nearest participating location, fans can visit SmoothieKing.com/ketchupsmoothie for details. And, of course, social media will be buzzing with reviews and reactions. HEINZ and Smoothie King are encouraging smoothie lovers, foodies, and curious taste-testers to join the conversation using the hashtag #KetchupSmoothie. Whether you’re team “yay” or team “no way,” there’s no denying that this unconventional combo is turning heads.
More Than a Gimmick—A Celebration of Innovation
While the HEINZ Tomato Ketchup Smoothie may sound like a novelty, it represents something more: a bold example of how culinary innovation can push boundaries and create entirely new flavor experiences. By blending a classic condiment with a beloved beverage format, HEINZ and Smoothie King have sparked a broader conversation about food experimentation and how brands can respond to cultural trends with creativity and fun.
It also highlights how consumer preferences are shifting. Today’s food and beverage fans are looking for products that surprise them—visually, conceptually, and in taste. They also want clean labels, real ingredients, and a sense of humor in their culinary choices. The HEINZ Tomato Ketchup Smoothie delivers on all fronts: It’s unexpected, made with simple, quality ingredients, and wrapped in the kind of playful cultural commentary that thrives in today’s media landscape.
As food culture continues to evolve, so too do the definitions of what we eat and drink—and the lines between categories are becoming delightfully blurred. Thanks to this unexpected collaboration, we now have one more answer to a question no one thought would be taken seriously: Yes, ketchup can be a smoothie. And it’s actually pretty tasty.
