Smoothie Season: Five Mouthwatering Recipes to Blitz up this Summer

Lucy Tombs

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Summer is officially here and the weather is beginning to take a turn for the better! With the rising temperatures, I’m sure plenty of us have been craving lighter, refreshing foods and drinks.

“break out your blender and whip up some delicious and refreshing smoothies”

In the summer, there is nothing better than a cold drink in the sun, and what better choice than a smoothie! Smoothies are great healthier option in the summer and are also an easy way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. This list of scrumptious smoothies has a drink for every mood, whether you fancy something detoxing, energising, or a great source of protein! So, break out your blender and whip up some of the delicious and refreshing smoothies from below.

Peanut butter and banana smoothie 

This filling recipe is a great option if you want to substitute your normal morning cereal or toast for a healthy smoothie. I am a huge peanut butter fan myself and so this is the perfect recipe for those of us who love nut butter-based snacks.

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp Peanut butter
• 1 frozen banana
• Handful of spinach
• 100 ml almond milk

Green detox smoothie

If you want something super healthy but also a drink that will be a treat to your tastebuds, then this delicious detox smoothie is for you! The cleansing elements in this smoothie, such as kale and ginger, are excellent for heart health and are packed full of antioxidants.

Ingredients:

• 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
• Approx. 200 ml coconut water 
• Handful of kale
• 1 cup/165g pineapple chunks
• ½ cup/60g cucumber, peeled 
• 1 tbsp lime juice 
• 1 frozen banana (optional)

Tropical smoothie

Start your day with an exotic tropical smoothie that will make you feel like you’re in the Caribbean this summer, even if you’re stuck at home. This low-fat smoothie option is incredibly refreshing and would also make a great snack for later in the day.

Ingredients: 

• 150g frozen raspberries
• 150g frozen Mango 
• 100 ml orange juice 
• 200g pineapple chunks
• 2 tbsp low fat vanilla yoghurt
• 1 frozen banana (optional) 

Protein chocolate smoothie

If you are trying to get fit for the summertime, then this protein packed smoothie is an excellent option as it is filled with delicious chocolate and powerful protein! This smoothie is a fantastic post-workout meal or snack, and will fuel you throughout your day.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup/240ml plant-based milk 
• 1 banana 
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder of choice 
• ½ tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 dates, chopped and pit removed
• 1 tbsp flaxseed 

Summer berry smoothie 

A summer berry smoothie is a classic option for a drink in the hotter months and is a great way to get more seasonal fruit in your diet! This sweet berry-based smoothie is an excellent substitute for some of the more saturated dessert options such as cheesecake and Eton mess and in my opinion, is just as enjoyable.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp low fat strawberry yoghurt
• 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup
• 100ml milk of choice 
• 350g frozen mixed summer berries, or you can use 100g each of fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.

The methods for making all of these smoothies are largely identical, and simply involve chucking all of your ingredients into your blender and blending until you achieve your desired consistency. If you would like your smoothies to be on the thicker side, then adding frozen ingredients such as a frozen banana or ice is a great solution! To make the perfect smoothie bowl from these recipes, I recommend using this thicker consistency and then topping your smoothie with granola, seeds, nut butters, or extra pieces of sliced fruit.

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Featured image courtesy of Jugoslocos on Unsplash. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.