Cranberry Juice Smoothie

A refreshing cranberry juice smoothie with a sweet-tart punch! This tangy fruit smoothie is perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Why You’ll Love it:

I’m all about some zip! I love a tangy drink and this cranberry juice smoothie hit the spot. It’s the perfect balance of sweet strawberries and tart cranberries.

It’s easy to customize to fit your sweet-tart threshold. If you prefer more pucker, use less honey. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add more.

This smoothie with cranberry juice is packed with feel-good vitamins and disease-fighting antioxidants. I enjoy it as a mid-morning snack to hold me over until lunch.

Key Ingredients:

Banana – Cranberries are very tart, and bananas add sweetness! Be sure to use a ripe banana for the best results. When a banana ripens, it’s starch converts to sugar!

Frozen strawberries – Sweet strawberries pair well with tart cranberries. Be sure to use frozen strawberries to thicken this smoothie without the need for ice.

Frozen cranberries – You can find frozen cranberries in the frozen fruit aisle at a well-stocked grocery store. Cranberries are a rich source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants!

Cranberry juice – Adds a punch of cranberry flavor!

Honey – Cranberries are very tart. Typically, I don’t like to add sweeteners to my smoothies, but this one needs it. Add honey to taste. I only used one teaspoon for a sweet-tart flavor. For a sweeter smoothie, add more. If you don’t want to use honey, you can use maple syrup or a pitted date.

How to Make a Cranberry Juice Smoothie:

Combine ingredients: In the pitcher of your blender, combine the banana, frozen strawberries, frozen cranberries, cranberry juice, and honey.

Blend: Blend until thick and creamy. Start on low then increase the speed to high. The smoothie will be very thick. Add a splash more cranberry juice and blend to incorporate. Taste for sweetness.

Serve: Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.

Recipe Tips:

• Taste for sweetness. Cranberries are extremely tart! I personally love a sweet-tart punch. If you like your smoothies on the sweeter side, add more honey to taste.
• Add the banana first. Always put the fresh fruit closest to the blade. It helps get everything in the blender moving and creates a super smooth texture.
• If possible, use a high-speed blender. A high powered blender does a better job at breaking down the cranberry skins.
• Add more liquid as needed. I blend my smoothies thick, then I add more liquid at the end. This is easier than fixing a runny smoothie, plus I prefer a thick consistency. Add a splash more liquid at the end until you achieve the consistency you prefer.

Variations:

• Yogurt – For extra creaminess, add 1/4 cup of yogurt.
• Fruit – Swap the strawberries with frozen pineapple or mango for a tropical flair! Both pair well with tart cranberries.
• Chia seeds – Add a tablespoon of chia seeds for healthy fats and plant-based protein.
• Juice – If you don’t have cranberry juice, swap with orange juice or almond milk. Almond milk will taste slightly less tangy.
• Sweetener – You can use maple syrup or a pitted date in place of the honey.

Storage:

This cranberry juice smoothie is best enjoyed immediately! Smoothies only take 5 minutes to make, so I always recommend making them fresh.

You can store this smoothie in the fridge for 24 hours, but I prefer to freeze it into smoothie pops! Pour any leftover smoothie into a popsicle mold, add popsicle sticks, and freeze overnight.

Smoothie pops taste best when they melt a little!

Health Benefits of Cranberries:

Cranberries are small, brightly hued fruits with a sour punch. These bright red berries are packed with health benefits:

• Antioxidants – High in flavanol polyphenols with anti-inflammatory effects!
• Vitamins & minerals – Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E, vitamin K1, and copper!
• A-type Proanthocyanidins – Also referred to as condensed tannins, these phytonutrients have been shown to help prevent UTI‘s.

FAQs:

Refreshing Smoothie Recipes:

• Mango Strawberry Banana Smoothie
• Mango Magic Tropical Smoothie Copycat
• Strawberry Cucumber Smoothie