Smoothie Recipes for Summer

It’s summer! And sandy toes, sun-kissed skin, and smoothies are in! Whether you’re taking a bike ride through the countryside or lounging by the pool playing online slots or bingo games, a smoothie is the ideal summer drink to keep you cool and refreshed.

Packed with healthy ingredients and fruity deliciousness, smoothies are filled with nutrients, easy to digest, simple to make, and ultra-hydrating – they are literally a meal in themselves!

A smoothie for everyone

Before you get started, can we just check that you’ve got a blender because you’re going to need to find, beg, or borrow one for these recipes! Something that makes smoothies so incredibly enticing (apart from their delectability) is the fact that they’re so versatile. The following recipes can all be adapted to suit a variety of food preferences and restrictions.

Milk can be replaced with plant-based alternatives such as soya milk, almond milk, or oat milk, for those who are lactose-intolerant or vegan, or who simply want to reduce the amount of dairy in their diet.

Recipes that call for yoghurt can use any unflavoured yoghurt of your choice – from Greek yoghurt to soy or coconut yoghurt.

If you have a nut allergy, simply forgo the nut butter or swap it with a nut or seed that you are OK to have.

Be sure to use gluten-free oats if you’re gluten-intolerant.

Each of the featured smoothies serves one as a meal or two as a snack or side. Without further delay, here are our six favourite fruity smoothie recipes for summer!

1. Blueberry Delicious

Blueberries are low in calories and high in nutrition! Known as a superfood, blueberries are high in antioxidants, which can help to reduce DNA damage and reduce the signs of ageing, according to Healthline. These little wonders have also been shown to improve brain function, making them the ideal food for online bingo players. What’s more, they are, quite simply, delicious, hence the name of this smoothie.

Ingredients

  • 8 pitted dates
  • 1 cup milk of choice
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries

Instructions

Pre-soak the dates in the cup of milk for anywhere between 20 minutes and a few hours to soften them up. Peel and chop the frozen banana and place in your blender, along with the blueberries. Add the dates and milk, and blend until smooth. Ta-dah! You’ve made your first smoothie.

2. Tropicana

If you can’t be on a tropical island this summer, the least you can do is drink a tropical smoothie, and enjoy some summery island vibes from wherever you are. This smoothie recipe is dairy- and refined sugar-free, and boasts some serious vitamin C, for a strong immune system and improved energy levels.

Ingredients

  • 3 passion fruits
  • ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks
  • ½ cup frozen mango chunks
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 cup orange juice (or coconut water, for a milder flavour)
  • 1 cup baby spinach (optional)

Instructions

Cut the passion fruits into halves and scoop out the inner flesh and juices into the blender. Add the pineapple, mango and banana chunks, along with a cup of orange juice (use fresh, if possible) and baby spinach. Blend until smooth. You can also add some water for a thinner consistency. Feel free to add a few chunks of fruit (and maybe some coconut flakes, if you’re feeling extra frisky) into the smoothie after blending, for a variety of textures.

3. Coco Cacao

Few things in this world compare to the sensorial delights of chocolate, and smoothies give us the opportunity to have chocolate for breakfast or dessert, without any guilt. This smoothie combines antioxidant- and mineral-rich cacao powder with a slight coconut flavour, nourishing oats, a dash of salt to balance the sweetness, and an optional scoop of tahini, or any nut butter of your choice, for a rich and decadent experience.

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen banana
  • ½ cup coconut yoghurt or coconut milk
  • 2tbsp cacao or cocoa powder
  • 2tbsp oats
  • ½tsp vanilla essence
  • 1tbsp tahini or nut butter (optional)
  • Dash of salt
  • 4 ice cubes
  • ½ cup water
  • Garnish: goji berries/cacao nibs

Instructions

Peel and chop the frozen banana and add it, along with the rest of the ingredients, to the blender. Whizz up until smooth, and top with some dried goji berries and cacao nibs.

4. Green Boost

If you’ve been working hard on your summer “bod”, you’ll appreciate the protein punch that comes with the Green Boost smoothie! This recipe is packed with an array of superfoods, from nutrient-rich spirulina to hormone-balancing maca power. It’s a hearty and nutritious smoothie, making it a filling and energising breakfast.

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen banana
  • 8 dates
  • 1tbsp nut butter of choice
  • ½ cup baby spinach
  • ½ tsp spirulina powder
  • 1tbsp protein powder of choice
  • 1tsp maca powder (optional)
  • 5 ice cubes
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

Pre-soak the dates in one cup of water for anywhere between 20 minutes and a few hours to soften. Peel and chop the banana and add it, along with the other ingredients, including the dates and their soaking water, to the blender. Pulse until smooth, and serve.

5. Kiwi & Lime

Kiwi is an incredible little fruit, both in taste and nutritional value. Not only are kiwis a feast for the eyes, they’re also loaded with zeaxanthin and lutein, which support healthy eyesight! They also contain twice the amount of vitamin C as that of oranges and provide nutrients that boost the natural radiance of your skin. Basically, kiwis are the best friend you always needed.

Ingredients

  • 3 kiwi fruits
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 cup yoghurt of choice
  • 8 ice cubes
  • ½ cup water
  • Garnish: sliced kiwis and granola

Instructions

Cut the kiwi fruits into halves and scoop out the inner flesh, discarding the brown skins. Peel and chop the frozen banana into a blender, along with the peeled kiwis and other ingredients, and mix until smooth. Add a few slices of fresh kiwi and a tablespoon of granola, and you’re good to go.

6. Watermelon Slushy

Nothing says “summer is here” quite like watermelon! It’s sweet, it’s juicy, and it’s cooling, making it the perfect flavour for a healthy summer slushy. Watermelon is a hydrating elixir that boasts an abundance of vitamins. Pair it with some ice cubes and it’s delicious as is or add some flavourful herbs and a dash of lime for an exotic twist.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups watermelon, cubed
  • 8 ice cubes
  • 5 mint or basil leaves (optional)
  • ½ lime, juiced (optional)

Instructions

Remove the watermelon rind and cut the flesh into cubes. Add the cubed fruit (the pips are fine to throw in unless you’re fussy) to a high-speed blender, along with the ice cubes and your optional ingredients. If you’re adding lime juice, we recommend adding a dash of salt to balance the flavours. Whizz it all up until it’s nice and slushy.

This smoothie oxidises with time, so it’s best served immediately and should be made fresh rather than stored for later.

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29-07-2024