How to Make the Perfect Smoothie

Making smoothies at home always sounds like a great idea, but all too often, the results are less than ideal. You might end up with chunks of un-crushed ice, or you find yourself opening the blender every 5 seconds to try and dislodge a stuck handful of greens. Then, after all that hard work, you’ll end up with something that doesn’t taste like much at all. We’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little planning and some common sense, you can wake up to a tasty, nutritious smoothie any time you like. Here are our top tips to getting it right.

Use Frozen Fruit

Not only does this save you time – it also means you don’t have to add ice cubes, which can water down taste. While buying bags of frozen fruit is super convenient, we’d also challenge you to take it one step further: buying your favourite fruits at their prime, and freezing them for later. Next time you see a beautiful flat of summer berries, you’ll know what to do with ‘em. To save yourself even more time, pre-portion your fruit into bags – right down to the sliced banana. That way, you don’t have to worry about measuring when you’re trying to make yourself a quick smoothie before work. Your future self will thank you!

Choose the Right Liquid

Your liquid of choice doesn’t just make your smoothie sippable – it also adds flavor, texture and richness. So choose wisely, depending on your mood. Trying to keep things light? Try some coconut water, juice or green tea as your base. Want a richer smoothie? We love unsweetened almond milk for just about any flavour combo. Or, for a special treat, you can really amp things up with some super-rich coconut milk.

Find your Fruits

Most smoothies use a base of banana…and for good reason. They add sweetness and creaminess – and a whole lot of nutrients to boot. But for those of you who aren’t crazy about bananas, try chunks of peeled apple instead. Then, it’s time for the really fun part: picking the star of the show. Feeling like a tropical escape? Grab some mango and pineapple. Want something tangy, in an oh-so instagrammable shade of pink? Mixed berries it is. Wherever your mood takes you, now’s the time to add flavor, colour…and a whole lot of vitamins and minerals.

Going Green?

Feel like going virtuous with a nutrient-packed green smoothie? That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on taste. Use about a 1:1 ratio of greens to liquid, then use double that amount of fruit. Just remember to remove any tough stems from your greens and chop bigger leaves into pieces your blender can manage. Too much trouble? Just go for a handful of super-healthy washed baby spinach. Whatever greens you go for, make sure you blend them up with the liquid first, so everything is nice and smooth before you add your fruit. Because no one wants leafy chunks in their smoothie!

All About Add-Ins

Now it’s time to really let your creativity shine and personalize your smoothie creation with add-ins for added flavour and nutrition. For heart-healthy fats, try ½ an avocado, a scoop of yogurt or some silken tofu. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try a tablespoon or two of nut butter. We love it with blueberry smoothies in the morning, or banana-date smoothies for a sweet mid-afternoon treat. For fibre and vegan-friendly Omega-3s, try adding a spoonful of chia seeds or ground flax. Of course, a scoop of protein powder is never amiss, especially after a workout.

Then, to keep things really interesting, have fun with herbs and spices. Try a dash of cinnamon and vanilla with your mixed berries, or fresh mint and ginger with your tropical fruits. We also love a little citrus zest to liven just about any flavour combo up. If you find your smoothie is still tasting a little ho-hum, try adding a spoonful of dried fruit, a couple chopped dates or a small spoonful of honey to take it to the next level.

Here are some recipe ideas to get you started…but the sky is the limit!

Berry smoothie

Green smoothie

Tropical smoothie

Almond Butter smoothie

Did we miss your favourite smoothie secret? You’d better believe we want to hear about it. Drop us a line at blog@madradish.com!