Smoothie-making is an art form that few have readily mastered. Knowing how to make the perfect smoothie no matter how many different ingredients you have on hand is an extremely practical skill to stash under your belt, especially in today's hustle-and-bustle society. It doesn't matter if you're an avid smoothie enthusiast or you just need a healthy drink to keep you going when you're in a rush—everyone can benefit from becoming an expert smoothie-maker. Here are some general guidelines that will help you on your journey through learning how to make the perfect smoothie every time.
Disclaimer: You can omit any ingredients that you don't want to include, and you are free to follow recipes as they are or customize your smoothie however you choose to. Consistency depends on blender type and chosen ingredients.
1. Add Half of Your Liquid
Once you blow the dust off your blender (I understand if it's been a while), measure out about 3/4 cup of your desired liquid. You could use milk, non-dairy milk, juice, coconut water, or just plain H2O—your options are only limited by your imagination. Start out by only pouring half of it into the blender to avoid the risk of making your smoothie too thin.
2. Add 1 Tablespoon of Sweetener
Not all smoothies require a sweetener, but sometimes you need that extra ~something~ to make the taste pop. Honey, agave syrup, and maple syrup are just a few of the flavorful additions you can throw in to shift your smoothie to the sweeter side. The perfect representation of a properly balanced sweet smoothie is manifested in this extravagant red wine summer smoothie.
3. Add 1 Cup of Fruit and/or Vegetables
About 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables will contain the bulk of your smoothie's flavor. If you decide to go fresh, you should add a cup of ice to your smoothie; however, I find that freezing the fruits and veggies beforehand gives you a thicker texture to work with without needing to add ice, which can water down your drink if you use too much.
#SpoonTip: 1 banana will count as 1 cup of fruit, but you can use half a banana along with 1/2 cup of other fruits and vegetables if you want to vary your ingredients.
4. Add 1/2 to 1 Cup of Yogurt
Depending on how thick you want your smoothie and what type of yogurt you're using, you can add either 1/2 cup or a whole cup of yogurt to your blender. Since Greek yogurt is thicker, 1/2 cup will probably be enough to create a creamy drink. If you're using regular yogurt, you should add about 1 cup to ensure the smoothest texture possible.
5. Add a Handful of Leafy Green Vegetables
Green smoothies may be scary at times, but adding a handful of leafy greens to your smoothies, like spinach and kale, can contribute incredible health benefits without compromising flavor or consistency. How else do you expect to squeeze vegetables in your diet in a way that actually tastes delicious?
6. Add Some Health-Boosters
Adding a tablespoon or two of nut butter, chia seed, or flax seed can do wonders for the nutritional composition of your smoothie—chia seeds are some of the most nutritious foods in the world, after all. Don't rule out the powers of the avocado either—using 1/4 of this fruit (yes, avocados are technically fruits) in your drink will naturally thicken your smoothie as well as provide countless health benefits.
7. Add a Few Dashes of Spices or Powders
It's time for you to transform your smoothies from bland to glam. A few shakes of anything from ginger, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or protein powder can really "spice up" your drink by providing a big bang of flavor that really brings the smoothie home. Remember that a little bit goes a long way—you don't want the spices to mask the other ingredients, so be careful not to go overboard with the ones you use.
8. Blend for 1 to 2 Minutes, or Until Desired Consistency
This is definitely the place where all of your hard work is paid off. With a single push of a button, your job is (almost) done. Just blend for one or two minutes, or until you've reached the desired consistency. Blending times will vary depending on what type of blender you have, so please be aware of that during this step.
9. Top it Off With the Other Half of the Liquid, if Needed
Your smoothie may have reached the thickness you want at this point. If that's the case, don't bother adding the other half of the liquid you set aside in the beginning. If it still needs to be thinned out some, pour the rest of the liquid you used on top and blend until smooth.
And there you have it! You have now reached peak smoothie-making ability. You are free to experiment with ingredient combinations and really make the drink your own, of course. But if you're rushing out the door and need something quick and filling to throw together, this process is easy to follow and will leave you with plenty of time to get you wherever you're going.