Blackberry Smoothie

A classic blackberry smoothie to perk you up! It’s only four ingredients and takes 2 minutes to make. Blackberries are high in fiber, immune-boosting vitamin C, and antioxidants.

Why You’ll Love it:

This blackberry smoothie is ALL about blackberries! It’s refreshing with a bright purple hue and tangy punch. I personally love it!

• Health benefits – Blackberries are packed with vitamin C and beneficial plant compounds. Vitamin C helps your body heal wounds, absorb iron, fight colds, and it’s great for your skin!
• Sweet & zippy – I love the tang! Blackberries are tart and this smoothie has a delicious sweet-tart vibe. If you prefer it sweeter, just add honey.
• Easy to customize – It’s your smoothie and you’re the boss! Add greens, seeds, protein powder, or oats for a boost of nutrients.

I made this smoothie with blackberries, but you could easily make it with any frozen fruit! It’s perfect with breakfast or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Key Ingredients:

• Banana – Bananas naturally sweeten a smoothie and make it ultra-creamy! Ripe bananas give you the best results. Underripe bananas taste slightly chalky and bitter. I always keep bananas on hand. If they begin to overripen, I freeze them for chocolate smoothies.
• Greek yogurt – Adds high-quality protein and more creaminess! I use unsweetened, but you can use vanilla yogurt for extra sweetness.
• Frozen blackberries – You can find these at most well-stocked grocery stores. If not, buy a large bag of mixed berries and pick them out.
• Apple juice – Sweetens the smoothie! White grape or passion fruit juice also work great.

How to Make a Blackberry Smoothie:

This black berry smoothie is very simple.

• Combine ingredients: In your blender, combine the banana, yogurt, blackberries, and apple juice. I always add the soft ingredients (i.e. banana) first. This gives the blades something to catch.
• Blend: Start your blender on low speed, then gradually increase the speed. Blend until smooth.

• Adjust: Taste for sweetness. If the smoothie’s too tart, add some honey. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water or juice.
• Pour: Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately!

Variations & Substitutions:

One thing I love about this smoothie is how easy it is to customize! Try any one of these variations:

• Greens – Add a handful of baby spinach! Spinach is mild, blends easily, and it’s full of micronutrients.
• Oats – Add 1/4 cup of rolled oats for a slight chew and a healthy dose of fiber, manganese, and antioxidants.
• Juice – Swap the juice with white grape or passion fruit juice.
• Fruit – You can use any kind of frozen fruit in place of blackberries. Try mixed berries, strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, or cherries.
• Sweetener – For extra sweetness, add a teaspoon of maple syrup, honey, or light agave.
• Seeds – Add 1 tablespoon of hemp hearts or 2 teaspoons of chia seeds.
• Vegan/Dairy-free – Swap the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free and vegan alternative.

Expert Tips:

• Blackberries are tart! This is why I used juice in this recipe. If you prefer plant-based milk, you will need to add a sweetener. For a refined-sugar-free option, add a pitted date or stevia extract.
• Use frozen blackberries. Blackberries are 88% water! This means if you use fresh berries, you will end up with pulpy juice. Frozen fruit is what gives you a thick, frosty texture.

Storage:

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately! I only recommend storing it in the fridge for up to 4 hours.

I do love to make smoothies into popsicles! It’s a great way to store leftover smoothies. Just pour into a popsicle mold, add popsicle sticks, and freeze overnight.

FAQs:

Berry Smoothie Recipes:

• Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
• Strawberry Protein Hemp Seed Smoothie
• Mixed Berry Smoothie (3 Variations)
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie