Vibrant Cherry Smoothie

Embark on a delightful journey to discover the ultimate Cherry Smoothie Recipe – a vibrant, creamy, and incredibly delicious blend crafted from just four essential ingredients. This quick and easy recipe combines the goodness of frozen sweet cherries, the velvety richness of almond milk, the natural sweetness and thickness of frozen banana, and the nutty depth of almond butter. Whether you’re seeking a nutritious breakfast, a refreshing mid-day snack, or a post-workout recovery drink, this dairy-free and vegan smoothie is designed to nourish your body and tantalize your taste buds.

Perfect for those busy mornings or when you simply crave something wholesome and satisfying, this cherry smoothie stands out for its simplicity and exceptional flavor. Its beautiful ruby-red hue is as inviting as its smooth texture, making it a favorite for all ages. Get ready to transform your daily routine with a sip of pure cherry perfection!

Author’s Culinary Journey

From Blueberry Bliss to Cherry Perfection!

For years, my go-to morning routine featured a beloved blueberry smoothie, a consistent staple that never failed to deliver. However, a culinary adventure led me to explore new variations, and what an exciting discovery it was! I honestly believed nothing could surpass the original recipe’s charm, but a simple swap changed everything. By exchanging the blueberries for an equal amount of sweet cherries, while keeping all other ingredients the same, I was absolutely blown away!

The delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors from the cherries introduced an incredible depth and complexity that I hadn’t anticipated. It’s truly a fantastic and invigorating way to revitalize our daily smoothie habit, proving that sometimes the simplest changes yield the most remarkable results. The best part? This sensational twist remains just as quick and effortless to prepare as its predecessor, ensuring a convenient and delicious start to any day.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Cherry Smoothie

Crafting this delightful cherry smoothie requires just a handful of wholesome ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving its signature flavor and creamy texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some clever tips or swaps to customize your blend:

How To Make This Amazing Cherry Smoothie Recipe

Making this incredible cherry smoothie is incredibly simple, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. Follow these straightforward steps to enjoy your perfect blend:

1. Prepare Your Banana: The night before, or at least 4 hours in advance, peel a ripe banana and slice it into small coins. Place these banana coins into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze until solid. This step is crucial for achieving a thick, creamy texture without diluting the smoothie.
2. Blend All Ingredients: In a powerful blender, combine the frozen banana coins, frozen sweet cherries, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and almond butter. Start blending on a low setting, gradually increasing the speed to high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You might need to pause and scrape down the sides of the blender a few times to ensure everything is well incorporated.
3. Taste and Enjoy: Once blended to perfection, give your smoothie a quick taste. If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch of maple syrup or honey. If it’s too thick, add a splash more almond milk. Serve immediately in your favorite glass and savor the delightful flavors and refreshing coolness!

Tips For Smoothie Success & Customization

While this cherry smoothie recipe is inherently simple, a few extra tips can elevate your blending experience and ensure perfect results every time. Don’t hesitate to get creative and customize it to your liking!

• Quality Ingredients Matter: The flavor of your smoothie largely depends on the quality of your ingredients. Opt for truly sweet and ripe cherries when fresh, then freeze them, or choose high-quality frozen sweet cherries. Ripe bananas are also key for natural sweetness.
• Optional Sweeteners: The sweetness of your smoothie will vary based on the ripeness of your banana and the sweetness of your cherries. If you find it needs an extra touch, feel free to add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup, agave nectar, stevia, or honey (if not strictly vegan). Blend again briefly to incorporate.
• Measure Accurately (Especially for New Blenders): While smoothies are forgiving, starting with accurate measurements helps you understand the ideal consistency. Even small deviations can impact the final texture and flavor, especially when you’re first getting the hang of it.
• Boost Your Smoothie: Want to add more nutritional punch? Consider these optional add-ins:
  • Protein Boost: Add a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder for a more filling meal replacement.
  • Hidden Veggies: A handful of fresh spinach or kale blends seamlessly into this smoothie, adding vitamins and minerals without altering the flavor significantly. The dark cherry color will mask the green!
  • Super Seeds: A tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax seeds will add healthy omega-3s and fiber, also helping to thicken the smoothie.
  • Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of cardamom can add a warm, complex note.
  • Extra Fruit: A few extra berries, like raspberries or blueberries, can complement the cherry flavor beautifully.
• Adjusting Consistency:
  • Too Thick? Add more almond milk (or your liquid of choice) in small increments (1-2 tablespoons at a time) until you reach your desired pourable consistency.
  • Too Thin? Add a few more frozen cherries, frozen banana slices, or even a few ice cubes. A tablespoon of chia seeds can also help thicken it over time as they absorb liquid.
• Best Blender for Smoothies: A high-speed blender is highly recommended for achieving the smoothest, creamiest texture, especially when working with frozen fruits. Blenders like Vitamix or Blendtec make quick work of even tough ingredients, but a decent conventional blender will also work well; just be prepared to blend longer and perhaps scrape down the sides more often.

5 from 9 votes

Simple Cherry Smoothie Recipe

By Chelsea Lords

This quick and easy Cherry Smoothie Recipe, made with just four ingredients, is bursting with flavor and nutritious ingredients. It’s dairy free and vegan.

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Total Time:
5 minutes

Servings:
1 smoothie

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Equipment

• Blender

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (Any milk works here, see note 1)
• 1 cup frozen sweet cherries
• 3/4 cup frozen banana coins
• 2 tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter)

Instructions

1. Prepare Banana: Peel a ripe banana and slice it into coins. Place these coins in a sealed bag or container and freeze overnight or for at least 4 hours until completely solid. This ensures maximum creaminess.
2. Blend Ingredients: Combine the almond milk, frozen cherries, frozen banana coins, and almond butter in a large, powerful blender. Secure the lid and blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You may need to use a tamper or stop and scrape down the sides to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
3. Serve Immediately: Taste the smoothie and adjust for sweetness if desired (add a touch of maple syrup or honey). Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Milk Options Any type of milk can be used in this smoothie. However, to keep it dairy-free and vegan, ensure you are using a plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or soy milk. Using cow’s milk will alter its dairy-free and vegan status.

Storage: This smoothie is best enjoyed fresh, immediately after blending. It does not store well, as the texture and flavor can change significantly. For best results, keep your ingredients separate and blend just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 328mg | Potassium: 948mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 429mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.