Cherry Almond Smoothie

My tiny apartment kitchen became a smoothie laboratory during one particularly sweltering July, when the heat made turning on the oven feel like a personal betrayal. I stumbled upon frozen tart cherries at the grocery store and decided they deserved better than being a pie filling. The first batch was too thin, the second too banana-forward, but by the third attempt, this ruby-red perfection emerged from my blender like magic.

Last summer, my sister came over for what was supposed to be a quick coffee catch-up, but I talked her into trying my latest smoothie experiment instead. She took one skeptical sip, then promptly demanded the recipe, and now she makes it every morning before her preschool teaching shift. Theres something incredibly satisfying about watching someone convert from smoothie skeptic to devotee in thirty seconds flat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen tart cherries: These little ruby gems pack an incredible punch of antioxidants and that perfect puckery sweetness that balances the creaminess
• 1 ripe banana: Frozen bananas create that ice cream-like texture we all crave in smoothies, but fresh works perfectly fine too
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt: This adds protein and tang, though any plant-based yogurt will work if you need it dairy-free
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk: Keeps things light while letting those cherry flavors shine through without competing sweetness
• 2 tablespoons almond butter: The secret ingredient that transforms this from a fruity drink into a satisfying meal
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup: Tart cherries need a little help in the sweetness department, but you can skip this if your banana is super ripe

Instructions

Wash produce, prep ingredients, rinse cookware, and streamline cooking tasks with an all-in-one sink workstation.

Check price on Amazon

Toss everything into the blender:

Start with your liquid first to help the blades move freely, then pile in your cherries, banana, yogurt, almond butter, and maple syrup

Blend until absolutely silky:

Let your blender run on high for a full minute, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed, until no chunks remain

Taste and adjust:

Give it a quick taste and decide if it needs more sweetness—tart cherries vary in intensity, so trust your palate

Pour and enjoy immediately:

This smoothie thickens up quickly, so pour it into two glasses right away and maybe top with some sliced almonds if you are feeling fancy

Wash produce, prep ingredients, rinse cookware, and streamline cooking tasks with an all-in-one sink workstation.

Check price on Amazon

Save to Pinterest

After my morning run group tried these during our post-workout cooldown, they became our unofficial recovery drink. Theres something about that combination of tart cherry and creamy almond that feels both indulgent and virtuous, like you are treating yourself while also doing something good for your body.

Make It Thicker Or Thinner

I have learned that smoothie thickness is deeply personal, like pillow preference or coffee strength. If you find yourself wanting more body, throw in a handful of ice cubes or use an entirely frozen banana. For something closer to a drinkable consistency, add an extra quarter cup of almond milk before blending.

Flavor Twists That Work

Sometimes I swap in cashew butter for a mellower nut flavor, or add a pinch of cinnamon when I am craving something cozier. A scoop of vanilla protein powder turns this into post-gym fuel, and a tablespoon of cocoa powder creates this mocha-cherry situation that is surprisingly sophisticated.

Batch Prep For Busy Mornings

Weekday mornings at my house used to be chaotic until I started portioning smoothie packs into freezer bags. Now I just dump a pre-measured bag into the blender, add liquid, and breakfast is ready in sixty seconds flat.

• Label your freezer bags with the liquid amount needed
• Squeeze out as much air as possible before freezing
• Smoothie packs stay fresh for up to three months

Quickly chop vegetables, blend sauces, and prepare dips or dressings for fast, everyday meal prep.

Check price on Amazon

Save to Pinterest

Here is to mornings that start with something vibrant, nourishing, and absolutely delicious.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?

Fresh cherries work well, but frozen ones create a thicker, colder texture. If using fresh, add ice cubes to achieve the same frosty consistency.

→ How can I make this smoothie dairy-free?

Substitute Greek yogurt with plant-based yogurt like coconut, almond, or oat yogurt. The texture remains creamy while being completely dairy-free.

→ What can I use instead of almond butter?

Cashew butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter all work nicely. Each brings a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining creaminess.

→ Can I prepare this smoothie ahead of time?

For best results, blend and serve immediately. Pre-made smoothies can separate; however, you can prep ingredients in freezer bags and blend when ready to enjoy.

→ How do I make this smoothie sweeter?

Add extra maple syrup, honey, or pitted dates. The ripe banana provides natural sweetness, but adjust sweeteners to match your taste preferences.

→ What milk alternatives work best?

Oat milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk all blend beautifully. Choose unsweetened varieties to control the sugar content while maintaining creaminess.