Quick, easy and tasty, smoothies are a great go-to breakfast or brunch idea. And with countless combinations of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, dairy, plant-milk alternatives, herbs and spices, there’s guaranteed to be an option to suit all tastes. From the tantalisingly tropical, to glorious green concoctions and everything in between, here are 30 smoothie ideas to help kick-start your day. Make sure to do your bit for the planet by composting any waste and switching from plastic to paper, glass or stainless steel straws.
For a creamy green dream of a smoothie with a citrus kick, blend avocado, sweet apple chunks and chopped celery, adding fresh lime juice by the spoonful to taste. This combination is sure to kick-start your day with a zing.
For a nourishing smoothie that tastes more like a dessert, chop bananas and blend with sweet red apples, plain yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon. If it’s too thick, add a little milk and taste, in case it needs a little more cinnamon.
For a much-needed energy and vitamin boost, blend fresh, peeled and chopped beetroot with bananas, some grated ginger and a dollop of honey. Beetroot is a great source of fibre and vitamin C, and ginger has excellent antioxidant properties. You can add crushed ice to thicken it and a splash of fresh blood orange juice for an extra kick.
Blitz some avocado with a generous handful of spinach, chopped green apple, banana and a splash of coconut water. You can add a touch of honey for extra sweetness and don't forget to top with crunchy, wholesome chia seeds.
This dairy-free smoothie has a lovely purple hue to it thanks to the tart blueberries that stop it from becoming too sweet. A spoonful of almond or peanut butter will give it body and a protein boost. If it’s too thick, add a little almond (or other plant-based) milk to the blender.
A blend of peeled carrots, banana and pineapple with some grated fresh ginger and a helping of turmeric, this smoothie is golden, it’s sweet, and it’s good for you. The ginger and turmeric have antioxidant effects, carrots offer carotenoids, which are good for the immune system, and bananas have potassium for hard-working muscles.
Cranberries are often overlooked as a smoothie ingredient, which is a culinary crime because these small, tart berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, and they taste good too. Blend frozen cranberries with frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or a mix) and frozen banana. If it’s too thick, add a little juice from a freshly squeezed orange.
This blackberry and vanilla smoothie seems indulgent as it conjures up the flavours of berry pie and ice cream. Blackberries can leave seeds in your drink, so if you like your smoothies smooth, you can blend the berries – with juice and water – and strain before following the recipe.
This two-ingredient smoothie is made with fresh mango chunks (or you can use frozen) and coconut milk. Ready in no time, finish it with mint leaves for extra freshness and freshly-grated coconut for a fruity, smooth-as-silk drink.
Chop the flesh of a beautiful dragon fruit and blend with raspberries, coconut water, freshly squeezed orange juice and a little grated ginger for an antioxidant powerhouse of a drink. It'll also look and taste great as a smoothie bowl if you thicken the mixture up with a banana.
Sweet and tropical with a hint of heat, this mango chilli smoothie will certainly put a spring in your step. You can use pure red chilli powder, or substitute for fresh, finely chopped and de-seeded red jalapeños, if you like.
Kiwis are a fantastic source of vitamin C, so blitz two or three together with fresh mint leaves (stalks removed), lime juice, banana, and some water or coconut water for a truly refreshing start to the day. For an even greener glow, throw in a handful of spinach.
This crushed ice smoothie is made by blending the juice of two grapefruits with chopped sweet apple and some freshly grated ginger to create a refreshing, zingy drink. If the acidic, sour flavours are too much for you, add a teaspoon of honey for a touch of sweetness.
Sweet, fragrant mandarins don't have the tartness of oranges. Mix them with fresh lime juice, bananas and peeled star fruit for a seriously fruity start to the day. This drink can become a little tangy for some, so add honey to balance it. Serve with a slice of star fruit for a smoothie with style.
This smoothie is a harmonious blend of juicy pears, kiwi and honey blended together with a little ice. To make it a bit more substantial, throw in a banana for good measure or turn it into a smoothie bowl and top with homemade granola and fresh fruit.
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A popular citrus fruit in Japan, yuzu has a powerful flavour often described as being between a lime and a grapefruit. It adds a welcome sour note to this mix of sweet mango, apple and Greek yogurt – blitzed to perfection with ice.
This pomegranate, beetroot and orange smoothie is tart, sweet and tangy – just the ticket to get you going in the morning. Make sure you don't overdo it with the beetroot, so it's stays fruity. If it doesn't turn out perfectly, simply add more fruit and save half for the next day. A smoothie will keep in the fridge for a couple of days. However, make sure to give it a good shake before drinking.
Get the recipe for pomegranate, beetroot and orange smoothie here
Vitamin-packed (A, B and C), papaya marries well with zesty oranges. Blend together with a teaspoon of turmeric and ice to create a vibrant smoothie that will give your immune system a little boost.
Papaya adds great texture and flavour to smoothies. For a different take on a drink with this tropical fruit, blend with fresh lime juice, mint leaves and a handful of raw almonds. If it’s too tart, add a little honey to sweeten.
This smoothie is green and sweet but has a touch of heat and zest from the ginger and cayenne that will wake up your taste buds. Frozen fruit is perfect for making smoothies, so make sure you stock up and have a variety of options on hand for when you want to whip up a drink quickly. Just try to keep similar colours together: if adding red berries to this smoothie, for example, you might get a tasty, but rather unappealing brown smoothie.
For something a little different, try this energising drink. Bursting with vitamin C, sea buckthorn is a shrub with pale orange berries: it's especially popular in northern Europe. If you can't get your hands on the berries, try adding a few drops of sea buckthorn oil to an orange smoothie made with freshly squeezed orange juice, banana and crushed ice.
Blend peeled carrots, fresh beetroot and tart apples (these are to balance the earthy sweetness of the root vegetables) with a knob of grated ginger for a fiery smoothie that will set you up right for the day.
Sweet, light and refreshing, this smoothie is best served frozen. Blend cubed watermelon (remove the black seeds first) with frozen banana, frozen strawberries and a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. It's especially refreshing on a warm afternoon.
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For a totally tropical smoothie that's as bright as the Caribbean sunshine, blitz a banana and freshly squeezed orange juice with frozen mango and pineapple chunks. If it’s too thick, add a little more orange juice. To finish, sprinkle with seed mix and add some mint leaves for extra freshness.
Chop some peaches – preferably the sweeter white variety – and add to a blender with frozen raspberries. You can thicken the drink with a banana or loosen it with your milk of choice. We can't think of a more delicious way to start your day.
Cherries aren’t in season for long, but when they’re around, make the most of this juicy, ruby red fruit. For a heavenly libation, blend fresh de-stoned cherries (or you can use frozen) with a liberal squirt of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a little honey for sweetness, and a small dollop of Greek yogurt.
Spoonable smoothie bowls are a great alternative to cereal at breakfast. This revitalising option is made with frozen acai purée, frozen raspberries and banana blended with a little Greek yogurt. Feel free to improvise with your toppings and try different combinations of freshly grated coconut, fresh mint and goji berries. You can add homemade granola or white sesame seeds for extra crunch.
Matcha, a punchy, finely-ground green tea powder, adds colour and nourishment to any smoothie. It goes particularly well with freshly-grated ginger, spinach, peeled and de-seeded oranges and water. Add ice for an even more refreshing version.
Made with all the good stuff – avocado, banana, kale, spinach and strawberries – this super smoothie bowl will give your body and brain a welcome boost. Add a little milk of your choice if it’s too thick and top with sliced bananas, chia seeds, kiwi, raspberries and walnuts for a dish that’s almost too pretty to eat.
The fabulous colour of this smoothie comes from using spirulina (a blue-green algae that's been eaten since the Aztec times). Blend a teaspoon of it with bananas and almond milk or Greek yogurt, pour into a bowl and top with an array of sliced banana, chia seeds, fresh coconut shavings or pomegranate seeds.