Smoothies are delicious beverages made by pureeing ingredients like fruits or vegetables with a liquid base, like water, milk, yogurt, or even ice cream, in a blender. From gyms to elegant brunch spots, they have become a popular addition to menus everywhere. Given that they are typically prepared with fresh, premium ingredients, they are often highly-priced, which is why many people have switched to blending their favorite smoothie mixes at home.
How to make smoothies at home
Making a smoothie at home is quite easy. All one needs is a blender and their ingredients of choice. Generally, smoothies contain a few basic ingredients.
Base
Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, water, coconut water, fruit juices, and alternative milk sources are all excellent options to start building the smoothie.
Flavor
Most of the flavor in a smoothie comes from fruits and vegetables. Common choices include bananas, berries, spinach, oranges, mangoes, grapefruit, beets, beet greens, apples, kale, and avocado.
When it comes to smoothies, frozen fruit is the best, as it blends up much thicker than fresh fruit. Since it’s already frozen, it also does away with the need to add ice cubes, which may water down the beverage.
Other ingredients
The best thing about smoothies is that they can easily be customized based on one’s preferences. Additional ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, extracts, etc., can incorporate more nutrients into the beverage and add to its flavor. One can also elevate the natural sweetness of the beverage by mixing in pitted dates or adding a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or agave. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, spirulina, etc., can also be added for a flavor boost!
Toppings
The style of serving can make any beverage look more appetizing. With smoothies, there is a lot of room to play around with toppings. A simple approach is to pour the drink into a glass and serve it as is or with a sprig of mint or a slice of fruit. Alternatively, one can pour it into a bowl and top it with their choice of favorite fruits, nuts, and seeds to add a lot of texture to the mixture.
Recipes to try at home
1. Banana smoothie
One of the most popular recipes, a banana smoothie is incredibly easy to make. All one needs to do is blend one fresh or frozen banana with some yogurt and a splash of milk. Then, add half an orange or some blueberries for some tartness. Finally, finish up with a drizzle of honey to make the smoothie a sweet delight!
2. Blueberry smoothie
Blend a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries with plain yogurt, milk, vanilla, and nutmeg until the desired consistency is achieved. One can also add a little sweetener, such as maple or agave syrup.
3. Green smoothie
Not everyone enjoys eating salads and greens. Even then, they need the essential nutrients these vegetables carry. A green smoothie is a great solution for picky eaters.
To make one, blend a cup of spinach, kale (or another green veggie of choice) with half a frozen banana, some almond butter, fruits like mango or pineapple, chia seeds, and milk of choice. Not only is this smoothie delicious thanks to the fruity flavors, but it is also really filling, making it a brilliant breakfast or afternoon snack.
4. ABC smoothie
Let’s get right back to the basics with an ABC smoothie. A common shorthand for apple-beet-carrot, an ABC smoothie is a refreshing, nutrient-rich drink. To make this, blend two apples with half a beetroot, a small carrot, a small piece of ginger, and some lemon. Adjust the consistency with ice or water. This recipe can quickly become even kids’ go-to smoothie, thanks to its vibrant color and rich sweetness provided by the apples.
5. Tropical oatmeal smoothie
Relive those peaceful tropical vacations with this delectable, fiber-rich smoothie. Start by blending a cup of old-fashioned rolled oats into a fine powder. Then, add a small banana along with some vanilla extract, lemon juice, and coconut milk. Blend this until a smooth consistency is achieved. Add mango and pineapple chunks to the mix and blend again. If necessary, add some ice as well. Serve the drink in a tall glass, topped with a pineapple wedge or leaf.
6. Watermelon and cucumber smoothie
Beat the heat with this evergreen combination. To make this smoothie, blend a peeled, chopped cucumber with buttermilk and chunks of frozen, seedless watermelon. Add some honey and a dash of lime to balance the sweetness, and serve chilled.
If still wondering how to quickly make smoothies at home, one can just rely on the ingredients they have to whip up nutritious drinks in a few minutes.
Smoothies versus milkshakes
Smoothies and milkshakes may seem similar, but there is a considerable difference in their ingredients, flavors, and nutritional values. While smoothies are made from a liquid base like milk, juice, or yogurt mixed with fruits and/or vegetables, milkshakes are a blend of ice cream, milk, and syrups or fruits. Given the difference in their ingredients, smoothies are often used as a nutritionally dense meal replacement, whereas milkshakes rest strongly in the dessert realm.
These beverages also differ in their presentation. Smoothies are served in a glass, and smoothie bowls may be topped with more chopped fruits, seeds, and nuts. Milkshakes, on the other hand, are served with candies, whipped cream, and other sugary treats.
