Looking at these photos, one might think I'm in LA, walking around the beach, and soaking up the sunshine. Oh no, don't let the words "refreshing smoothie" in the title fool you. I'm not in LA, I'm not even in the US. I'm all the way in Europe, in the Czech Republic to be exact, freezing my ass off because it's currently almost 0°C and I'm drinking this smoothie wishing I was lying on a beach in Bali.
I love drinking smoothies in the summer when it's boiling hot and you actually need something to cool you down. That being said, a bad weather's never stopped me from making cold smoothies. I'll gladly eat spoonfuls of my favorite chocolate berry banana ice cream while it's it's snowing outside. Granted, it usually feels like it's snowing in my throat too afterward but believe me — banana ice cream is always worth it.
This smoothie is far less intense on the brain-freeze scale than banana ice cream so you can happily sip on it wherever you are in the world. Unless you're somewhere really cold - think North Pole cold (say hi to Santa for me pls) - in that case, you should make this bowl of oatmeal instead.
Do you want to know a secret? Okay, it's more of a random fact than a secret. This wasn't supposed to be today's post. I planned to post my wild peanut butter post today but since I'm procrastinating with that one, Refreshing Raspberry Mint Smoothie it is today. I'm excited about that peanut butter post, though! I took too many pictures (again) so it's taking ages to get through them. I'm planning to share with you everything you need to know about wild peanuts and the difference between them and the regular ones. Did I mention they're super delicious? Oh boy! Stay tuned for that one. ;) Also, I might write a post on procrastination one day — if I ever stop procrastinating that is.
What I'm definitely going to do right now, though, is brainstorm some recipe ideas. Yay!! It hit me today that there are so many easy quick meals I eat that I never actually posted on here. I'm thinking salads, spreads, snacks, appetizers, smoothies, and more. So much good stuff.
Or maybe I'll just end up watching Love on Netflix again (ops). That show is so weirdly good. I wasn't sure if I really liked it until recently but the fact that I'm already almost done with season 2 says a lot.
Before I go, I have to take a moment to appreciate those pouring shots below. The frozen banana and the almond milk makes the smoothie super creamy and the frozen fruit thickens it up. Scrumptious! ;)
Refreshing Raspberry Mint Smoothie
- Yield: 1-2 1x
- Category: Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut water
- ½ cup almond milk (this makes it creamier and not as watery but it's optional, add water instead if the smoothie is too thick without it)
- 1 ½ cup frozen raspberries
- 1 frozen banana
- handful frozen strawberries (optional)
- 5-7 fresh mint leaves (start with less and add more depending on how minty you want it)
- 1 medjool date (optional - sometimes the raspberries make it too sour, sub coconut sugar or maple syrup if you don't have dates)
Instructions
- Put everything into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge in a glass jar for 1-2 days. I usually like to consume my smoothies as soon as I make them but you can store them in the fridge for a day or two (the less air you leave in the jar the longer the smoothie keeps).
Beth
This makes me want to pack my two boys in the car and head to the grocery store to buy all the ingredients. This looks SO good!!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
haha I bet they would love this smoothie!
Lauren Johnson
Holy yummy... I've been on a blueberry kick lately, I wonder how this would taste with blueberries substituted for the raspberries? Hmmm... Thanks for sharing!
http://www.ljsway.com/goldshelf/
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
I love blueberries but idk if they'd go well with the mint.. You could try, though! I'd say go with regular blueberries, not wild ones, those taste different and may not go well with the mint (I've been obsessed with wild blueberries lately)
Meredith
This sounds so refreshing. And that color is gorgeous! Adding to my smoothie recipe collection now!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks so much, Meredith! :)
Summer @ Coffee With Summer
This looks delicious! My husband and I love smoothies...pinning to make!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks, Summer! Smoothies are the best :)
Kim
Yum!! I do smoothies daily and love this one - going to add some mint to my next one!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Yay! Hope you enjoy! :)
April K.
This is a great recipe. I drink smoothies all the time and not just in the summer.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks! It's always a good time for a smoothie ;)
Dara
I love smoothies and this one looks amazing!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks Dara!<3
Joana Rita
Love this! Never tried using coconut water in my smoothies! Thanks for the great tip. Cant wait :)
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
It's absolutely amazing, you should totally give it a try sometime :)
Marinka
You won't believe me, but I never made a smoothie in my life. Looking at your pictures, I think I should change that.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Oh wow! You should totally make one, you'll love it! Just blend some berries with almond milk or water and enjoy, it doesnt have to be complicated ;)
Kim
I've been making a lot of smoothies lately and this looks and sounds yummy. LOVE the color.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks, Kim!
Ayanna
This looks delicious! We recently started buying almond milk and I have been looking for new ways to use it.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
I absolutely love almond milk! I like to make it at home, it's so tasty :)
Jill @ Kentucky Makeup Junkie
This looks amazing! I'll admit I never know how to use mint but I do love it! Very excited to try this!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks, Jill! Yeah I'm looking for new ways to use it too because apart from this smoothie, I basically just use it in tea lol.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Yum. I actually drooled looking at your photos. I love smoothies, especially when they are filled with good nutritious stuff! I'm going to put this recipe on my smoothie rotation, for sure.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Yay! I'm happy you like it, Elaine! :)
Danielle
That look so good! And I am loving your pictures!!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks so much, Danielle! :)
Vrithi Pushkar
This sounds and looks soooo good. I'm waiting for the weather to get better here in Nashville to enjoy a few of these on our porch. Saved it!
Vrithi Pushkar
http://www.epicuriouspassport.com
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thank you! Yeah I'm counting down the days till summer pretty much haha.
Ana@CelebratingSunshine
Your smoothie looks a-ma-zing! I will definitely try your recipe soon. Love your pictures!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks, Ana, I appreciate that! :)
Sue Ringsdorf
I LOVE raspberry anything!! Your pictures are SO pretty too. Thanks for sharing!! :)
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thank you so much! :)
Val
Yum! Never thought to put mint in a smoothie
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
It's really tasty and refreshing :)
Kristen R.
I LOVE the addition of the Medjool date! This looks really fantastic.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks so much, Kristen! :)
Cynthia
We belong to a CSA and we received a lot of raspberries last year. I froze many of them because we were not sure what to do with them. Now I have a great recipe to make them with. I love the usage of coconut water in this smoothie. We have been trying to incorporate that in our diets.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Coconut water is the best! And I'm so jealous of your heaps of raspberries! I'm sure you're going to enjoy this one :)
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
This is SUCH a vibrant smoothie! Love this flavor combo, too!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks so much, Ashley! :)