The best and most refreshing summer smoothie recipes

smoothies

Summer is officially here and with it comes the great outdoor lifestyles we love. Looking after your health and wellbeing is particularly important as we enjoy the joys and overcome the challenges the warmer season brings.

Staying hydrated is vital during summer. Smoothies are the number one way to refresh your body and keep troublesome dehydration at bay as Easy Healthy Smoothie explains:

“Drinking the recommended 6-8 glasses of water can seem daunting but with smoothies, you’re already part of the way there.  We can get some of our water intake from our food and this includes smoothies, not least because lots of fruits and vegetables are quite rich in water.​”

Drinking healthy smoothies regularly unlocks yet more health boosting benefits. They are after all rich in vitamins and minerals, packed full of antioxidants, undeniably energy boosting, low in calories, and give you all you need to get glowing skin and shiny hair.

There’s so much variety when it comes to smoothie recipes, especially during the summer months. Summer smoothies are also perfect for staying hydrated on the go, and you could even pack a few in your summer picnic along with your So Cosy picnic blanket.

The following recipes are great for vegans, vegetarians and pretty much anyone who wants to stay hydrated, refreshed, and nourished this summer.

Sunshine in a glass

Add a little sunshine to your day, even if the weather outside is less than perfect with our tropical sunshine smoothie. This recipe is not only low fat, vegan, and vegetarian, it’s dairy-free and gluten-free. It also counts as one of your five a day.

All you need is 500ml of chilled carrot juice, 200g of fresh or canned pineapple, 2 bananas, a small piece of peeled ginger, 20g of cashew nuts, and the juice of 1 lime.

Simply put all these ingredients into a blender and blitz until smooth. The smoothie is best drunk fresh and will keep for up to 24 hours when stored in the refrigerator.

Peachy summer glow

Raspberries and peaches are enjoyable summer fruits when eaten as snacks but put them together and you’re guaranteed to get that summer glow. This delicious and fresh iced smoothie is gluten-free, vegan and takes just five minutes to make.

Simply pour 1 handful of raspberries, 1 sliced peach, ¼ cup of dairy-free yogurt, ¾ cup of plant-based milk, 1 cup of ice cubes, 1 teaspoon of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract into a blender.  Mix everything until smooth and enjoy!

Summer pudding for breakfast

In truth, this dessert inspired breakfast smoothie is a filling and tasty drink that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It’s also raw, vegan, gluten-free, and super healthy.

Just blend 1 cup of mixed raspberries, blackberries and redcurrants (you can buy this classic summer fruits mix frozen for convenience too); ½ cup of raw gluten-free oats; 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed; 1½ cups of unsweetened almond milk; 1 tablespoon of raw agave; and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can add more almond milk if the mix is too thick for you.

The savoury saviour

Savoury smoothies work well in summer too and this recipe offers a zesty hit that contains all the goodness of green. It is also rich in vitamin C making it the perfect way to start the day.

All you need is 2 handfuls of kale, ½ an avocado, the juice of ½ a lime, a large handful of pineapple chunks (frozen works best), a medium sized chunk of ginger, 1 tablespoon of cashew nuts and 1 banana. If you’re not keen on bananas, you can leave this ingredient out.

Blend all these ingredients with a splash of water and add more water to get the consistency you want.

Want to make a meal of it? Smoothie bowls are the latest food trend that provides an excellent and utterly delicious vitamin and mineral hit to start the day.

Discover three of the best smoothie bowls right here.