Finally, it’s summer! Folks and families are roaming beaches, sipping on ice cold beverages, soaking up the summer sun through golden rays, and strategically placing little umbrellas in frozen delights. One of our favorite things to enjoy with a little umbrella while the sun is beating down is a seasonal smoothie.
Of course, smoothies have been around as a concept and drink for thousands of years in many cultures and variations. But the word “smoothie” has only been around since the 1920’s and the invention of the home blender and the beverage chain Orange Julius.
What kind of seasonal smoothies are at your fingertips this summer? What sorts of fruits and flavors should you pair together? Let’s dive in!
Questions to Ask Yourself
The world at your fingertips! So many seasonal smoothies to make and discover. How should you go about crafting your perfect summer treat? Here’s a few questions to ask.
What’s in season where I live? Here in North Carolina, peaches, blueberries, watermelon, and muscadine grapes are in season. (Never had a muscadine grape smoothie personally, but perhaps you could be the first!). A great way to find this out is to visit your local farmers market and see what the vendors are selling. Bountiful fruits, veggies, jellies and jams are always popping up this time of year. A good way to find some inspiration for your next seasonal smoothie is to ask a local!
Is this smoothie for my health? Or for fun? Now you don’t have to choose one or the other obviously, but some seasonal smoothies do better with a scoop of protein powder and spinach, and some do better with a big glug of maple syrup and cocoa powder.
For the chocolate connoisseur, adding a frozen banana and some of those seasonal blueberries with a scoop of cocoa powder will make a delectable summer treat!
For those of us who want to pack in the nutrient content with chia seeds, acai powder, and omega 3 fatty acids, try a base of fresh seasonal watermelon, a large granny smith apple for fiber, and some frozen strawberries for a power-packed frozen beverage to supplement your beach day.
Thematic Smoothies
Too many decisions to make? Try picking a theme for your seasonal smoothie. Themes can go by color, location, or flavor profile. For example, feeling purple? Try sticking to blackberries, blueberries, acai, and staying away from things like celery, spinach, and peaches which can turn bright reds into bore browns.
Feeling a tropical theme? Pick fruits from around the equator like bananas, pineapples, coconuts, papaya, and mango!
Many of us want a creamy seasonal smoothie, but don’t want to consume too much dairy. Our favorite option for this is frozen bananas. They add such a smooth and creamy texture without the lactose! Yogurt is another super healthy way to add creamy texture without adding so much dairy. Even better, use Greek yogurt to add a yummy tang. If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with half a can of coconut milk to add a topical kick, especially if you’re adding a bit of pineapple and mango.
There is no issue with just using water to make your seasonal smoothies, it may even be required so that the machine doesn’t get clogged up. Just be aware that you’ll have to get the texture and sweetness from somewhere else. Another way to get a base sweetness is to use pineapple or apple juice. They will add a great base sweetness to any of your summer creations.
What if you can’t get your hands on a fruit that you’re craving? Flavored syrups from Torani or Monin are always an option! Flavors like dragon fruit or kiwi are great for adding an exotic color and flavor to otherwise bland seasonal smoothies.
Our Smoothie Products
Looking for a convenient way to achieve great seasonal smoothies without the hassle of keeping fresh or frozen fruits stocked in your shop? Dilworth has got you covered! Brands we carry like Smartfruit and Dr. Smoothie have fantastic smoothie bases and concentrates to inspire your next creation. Check out our full collection of smoothie products HERE!
Smoothie, Out!
We’ll be the first to say it, there is almost nothing better than sipping on an ice-cold seasonal smoothie on a summer day. Hopefully you’ve been inspired and picked up a few helpful tips from us here at Dilworth. Keep it cool this summer, you do you!