There’s nothing wrong with strawberries and bananas. In fact, both can be the foundation for amazing smoothies—as long as you don’t stop there. To make the best blended drinks, you have to go beyond the basic formula of fruit plus a liquid. These surprising upgrades can be satisfying while making your smoothies tastier and more nutritious.
Just add oats
Oatmeal’s great, but having to boil old-fashioned oats tacks time onto an already tight morning routine, and a hot breakfast doesn’t always sound appetizing once the temperature rises. Instead, add uncooked oats to your morning smoothie. Half of a cup of them contains 4 grams of fiber. Plus, they make your smoothie thick but not chalky or icy. Want proof? Whip up this mango lassi smoothie, which is bulked up with ¼ cup of quick-cooking oats.
Go cocoa-nuts
Adding just a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder makes your smoothie taste super decadent for just 10 to 20 extra calories. To try it, mix up this post workout power smoothie instead of downing a bottled protein shake after you hit the gym, or work a serving of veggies into your morning meal with a chocolate kale berry smoothie (the cocoa powder makes the dark, leafy greens undetectable).
Turn over a new leaf
Give your smoothie a flavor upgrade with tea. Start with Silk Unsweetened Original Almondmilk, then add green tea powder, or matcha, to make a vegan green smoothie. Or combine brewed and cooled chai—a type of Indian black tea with spices, such as cardamom and cloves—with Silk Unsweetened Cashewmilk to make a vanilla chai smoothie.
Skip the straw
A smoothies' portability is a major selling point, but sometimes you might want to sit down and savor your creation. In that case, try serving your smoothie in a bowl instead of sipping it out of a glass to make it feel more like a meal. This mango, berry, and banana smoothie, for example, is thick enough to eat with a spoon. And because it’s made with four kinds of fruit and good fats like ground flaxseeds, it’s hearty enough to tide you over until lunch.
Spice it up
You know spices add complexity to your cooked dishes, but they can also elevate your smoothies. Ground cinnamon pairs nicely with apples, bananas, and the peaches in this peach cobbler smoothie, while ground ginger gives this ginger pear smoothie a kick. Even nutmeg, the secret ingredient in this almond-banana smoothie, can make the transition from baked goods to blender. Fresh herbs can also give your smoothies an unexpected twist. Steer clear of the heartier ones, like rosemary and marjoram, but feel free to toss a small handful of basil or cilantro into the blender. And if you happen to have thyme on hand, try whirring it with blackberries and lime or blueberries and lemon.
Add a garnish
We eat and drink with our eyes, so a sprinkle or sprig of something can go a long way toward making your smoothie seem extra delicious. If it’s citrusy, try topping it with a little bit of finely grated lemon or lime zest, or take a cue from cocktails and add a lemon twist to the rim of your glass. You can also sprinkle on graham cracker crumbs, cacao nibs, or toasted coconut (which is what makes this chocolate banana coconut protein smoothie Instagram-worthy).