This Lemon Smoothie is like sunshine in a glass! It's refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for spring and summer. You can serve it as a light breakfast or as a refreshing snack. It's packed with lemon flavor and it's always a hit! You can make it thicker into soft serve ice cream, or thinner to serve as a creamy lemony drink.
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Why This Recipe Works
Sunshine in a glass - This smoothie is tart, sweet, creamy, and so refreshing! The bright flavor of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest makes the smoothie taste like sunshine in a glass! Add frozen mango to give it a natural pretty yellow color!
Extra refreshing - While this smoothie is great to make in the peak of citrus season (in the winter), it's also an amazing summer smoothie because the lemon juice makes it super light and refreshing! While it can be served for breakfast, it's extra delicious divided into two glasses and served as a refreshing afternoon snack.
Easy and simple - This smoothie calls for only a few simple, easy to find ingredients and it comes together in just about 5 minutes! It's super easy and perfect for when you only have a few minutes to prep something easy.
Ingredients
- Lemon - You'll need both lemon juice and lemon zest so it's important to use a fresh lemon. Use organic lemon whenever possible when using lemon zest to avoid harmful pesticides and waxes.
- Mango - Frozen mango is what gives the smoothie it's light yellow color and it thickens it up. You can also use frozen pineapple here so skip it completely.
- Banana - Frozen banana thickens the smoothie and makes it extra creamy. I don't recommend skipping it but if you do, definitely add ice to the blender.
- Almond milk - You can use any milk you would normally add to your smoothies. Any dairy-free milk as well as whole milk both work. Alternatively you can also use coconut water.
- Yogurt - Yogurt makes it extra creamy and adds healthy fats and protein. You can also just add more milk if you don't have yogurt.
Variations and Substitutions
- Ice - If you don't have enough frozen banana or mango, you can add ice instead. Ice will give it a slushie texture instead of the smooth and creamy texture frozen banana and mango create.
- Turmeric - If you don't want to use frozen mango to turn the smoothie yellow, you can use ground turmeric. Keep in mind that turmeric is strong and might change the flavor of the finished smoothie.
- Mayer lemon - Mayer lemon is sweeter than regular lemon and they can be used interchangeably here. Mayer lemon is usually in season for only a short period of time so I opted for regular lemon but the Mayer variety would be delicious in this smoothie as well.
- Whole peeled lemon - You can add a whole peeled lemon if you prefer. I recommend using only lemon juice and lemon peel here because the white parts of a lemon tend to make the smoothie more bitter.
- Vegan yogurt and milk - I often use almond milk and coconut yogurt to make this smoothie which makes it 100% vegan. You can use any milk and yogurt you prefer.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add everyting except sweetener, ice, and lemon slices into a high-speed blender. Adding liquids first makes the smoothie easier to blend.
- Blend on high until smooth.
- Taste and add sweetener and ice if desired. You can also add more lemon juice here. Blend again.
- Pour into 1-2 glasses and garnish with lemon slices.
Serving Suggestions
It's best to serve the smoothie right away. You can either serve it in a tall glass garnished with a lemon slice or in two short glasses as a snack for two.
Storing
Fridge: The smoothie will have the best flavor and consistency when enjoyed right away but if necessary, it can be stored in the fridge in an airtight jar for up to 24 hours. Pick a jar that fits the amount of smoothie you have left over the best. The less air there is in the jar, the longer the smoothie will last.
Freezer: Alternatively, you can also freeze your leftovers in popsicle molds to have an even more refreshing snack later!
FAQs
Add more yogurt, frozen banana and/or frozen mango to balance out the tart lemon juice with something sweet and creamy.
You can add more mango or you can turn it yellow with ground turmeric. Be careful if you're not used to the flavor of turmeric. It can have a strong flavor when you add too much of it.
Yes, just add dairy-free milk like almond milk and vegan yogurt like a good thick coconut yogurt.
Similar Smoothie Recipes
If you're looking for other refreshing, slightly more tangy, smoothies, try any of the ones below! The passion fruit is especially my favorite. See Smoothies for all the latest ones.
📖 Recipe
Lemon Smoothie
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1-2 1x
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Lemon Smoothie is like sunshine in a glass! It's refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for spring and summer. You can make it thicker into soft serve ice cream, or thinner to serve as a creamy lemony drink.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk
- ½ cup yogurt (Greek yogurt or vegan, I used coconut yogurt)
- 2 tsp lemon zest (1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen mango
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- A handful of ice (optional)
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except lemon slices into a high-speed blender. Adding liquids first makes the smoothie easier to blend. Adding sweetener and ice is optional.
- Blend on high until smooth. Add more lemon juice or sweetener if desired.
- Pour into 1-2 glasses and garnish with lemon slices.
Equipment
Notes
Adding ice isn’t necessary but it can help cool down the smoothie and turn it into a more slushie texture.
Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours or freeze any leftovers in popsicle molds with popsicle sticks inserted.
Veronika Sykorova
Extra tangy, zesty, creamy, and not too sweet! It's perfect for citrus season and it'd be amazing with Meyer lemons!