Blueberry Cherry Smoothie
This blueberry cherry smoothie is sweet, simple, and packed with antioxidants! It’s an ideal treat to curb that sugar craving with sweet fruit. It’s easy to customize too!
Why You’ll Love it:
This blueberry cherry smoothie combines nectarously sweet cherries and frozen blueberries. It tastes like a fruity treat but it’s filled with nutrients.
Both fruits pack a ton of beneficial antioxidants and plant compounds like polyphenols. These plant chemicals have shown to fight cellular damage, reduce inflammation, and protect against disease like cancer and heart disease!
Enjoy it as-is or customize it to fit your dietary needs. You can add protein powder, greens, or swap the fruits. I’ve made a list of variations at the bottom of this post.
Key Ingredients:
- Banana – For a creamy consistency! Both cherries and blueberries add a little bit of texture from their skins. A banana keeps the texture nice and smooth.
- Frozen blueberries – I buy a big bag of frozen blueberries at Costco. I’m impressed with the quality and the price is always a steal!
- Frozen cherries – Cherries are naturally sweet, which makes them great for smoothies! You can find frozen cherries at any well-stocked grocery store. I bought mine at Trader Joe’s.
- Juice – I like to add a splash of apple juice to add sweetness without the need for added sugar, like honey or maple syrup. You don’t have to! You can swap the juice with water or plant-based milk like almond milk.
- Water – Just enough to get everything moving in the blender for a thick but pourable consistency.
How to Make a Blueberry Cherry Smoothie:
This cherry berry smoothie is easy!
- Combine ingredients: Throw it all in the blender, but start with the banana! It’s soft and gives the blades something to catch.
- Blend: I always start my blender on low speed, then go higher. The gradual incline reduces stalling, especially in a Vitamix.
- Adjust: The smoothie should be thick yet pourable. If it won’t pour, add a splash more liquid, and blend to incorporate.
- Serve: Pour into glasses and enjoy while it’s thick and cold!
Substitutions & Variations:
Smoothies are easy to customize! I like to keep the recipe simple and then let you decide what to add. Here’s a few of my favorites:
- Greens – Add a handful of baby spinach. Spinach is nutrient-dense and blends right in!
- Hemp hearts – Add 1 tablespoon of hemp hearts for a boost of plant-based protein and healthy fats.
- Protein powder – Add 3 tablespoons of vanilla protein for a boost of protein.
- Fruit – Swap the cherries or blueberries with frozen mango, pineapple, or peaches!
- Greek yogurt – Add 1/3 cup of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and protein.
Recipe Tips:
- For the best results, use a high-speed blender. Both blueberries and cherries have skins. They’re less noticeable in a high quality blender with a powerful motor, like a Vitamix.
- Order matters, but not in the way you might think. Add the soft ingredients first so the blender doesn’t stall. You can add the liquid first, but you don’t need to. It sinks to the bottom either way.
- Adjust the consistency as needed. I prefer my smoothies on the thicker side. If you prefer a thinner smoothie, just add more liquid. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
- The sweetness level is up to you! For less sweetness, swap the juice with water or almond milk. For more sweetness, swap the water with juice.
Storage:
Smoothies are best enjoyed fresh! I don’t recommend storing this smoothie in the fridge longer than 4 hours.
Blueberry Smoothie Recipes:
Blueberry Cherry Smoothie
Equipment
- high-speed blender
Ingredients
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- ¼ cup apple juice See note
- ½ cup cold water
Instructions
- In the pitcher of a high-speed blender, combine the banana, frozen blueberries, frozen cherries, apple juice, and cold water.
- Turn the blender on low speed, then gradually increase the speed to high. Blend until smooth. If the smoothie's too thick to pour, add a splash more liquid and blend to incorporate.
- Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately!