Sometimes, I go to a juice bar and am completely lost. I stare at the menu and see rows of intriguing names, all vaguely reminiscent of a Hawaiian island with words like tropical breeze, flush, crush, and more. Juice bars don’t just have juices anymore. Now they have smoothies, bowls, and juice shots. So, how do you know when to drink when?

nekter juice bar

Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu

The needs of our body greatly change depending on the circumstances. What sort of juice do you want? Or maybe you’re craving a smoothie or an acai bowl? Perhaps you just worked out, crave something sweet and creamy, or just want a refreshing treat? That’s where I come in.

I went to the Nekter Juice Bar near Stanford campus to try to organize different beverages into when you want to drink them. Thanks to my friends at Nekter Juice Bar, I was able to sample 4 different beverages, which gave me a better sense of what to order for every situation.

nekter juice bar

Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu

First, let’s talk about the location. Nekter Juice Bar is located in the San Antonio Shopping Center. It is surrounded by beautiful outdoor seating near a giant tree, providing shade and respite for a sweltering California day. The store itself has a pleasant vibe with vibrant colors and fruits and vegetables covering the wall. It’s one of the stores that you walk in and automatically feel healthy, just for showing up. But then I look at the menu, and I feel the automatic sense of loss and confusion. But here’s what I ended up ordering.

When You’re Feeling Like You Need to Detox: Toxin Flush

nekter juice bar

Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu

Who can really stick to a juice cleanse? Instead of a cleanse, just try Toxin Flush. Toxin Flush is made with parsley, spinach, apple, lemon, and ginger, and is one of the drinks with the lowest amount of sugar. It contains a ton of greens in order to provide a ton of vitamins and minerals. The benefits include cleansing, hangover relief (#yaas), and inflammation reduction. So if you’re feeling like you need to detox, you need to try Toxin Flush. If you’re looking for even less sugar, you could also try The Greenie, which only has half an apple worth’s of sugar.

When You Need To Be Transported To A Faraway Island: Pink Flamingo

nekter juice bar

Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu

Talk about feeling like you’re in Hawaii. The Pink Flamingo contains pitaya, strawberry, pineapple, agave nectar, and coconut water. One sip of this puppy and you are automatically transported to the beach with a piña colada in your hand. The vibrant pink of the smoothie is blinding and almost adds to the flavor, not to mention that the ingredients in the smoothie helps with anti-aging, digestion, and provides hydrating electrolytes. Sounds like a win-win to me.

When You Want To Treat ‘Yo Self But Not Feel Guilty: The Health Nut

nekter juice bar

Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu

Have you ever had a peanut butter and chocolate chip milkshake? That sweet taste combined with crunch and a creamy aftertaste? To die for. Well, if you are craving that same taste but with a little healthier, The Health Nut is for you. Made with peanut butter, pea protein, cashew milk, agave nectar, and banana, The Health Nut is extremely rich, but made with all natural ingredients so it’s perfect for a healthy treat. Capped at 440 calories, it’s most definitely a decadent treat, but it’s not without its benefits. The Health Nut is perfect for a protein-heavy drink, muscle recovery, and for increased energy. #treatyoself

When You’re Craving a Banana Split: Acai Mango Bowl

nekter juice bar

Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu

Although Nekter Juice Bar is famous for their juices, one cannot deny their delicious acai bowls. Made with acai (a superfood), banana, pineapple, coconut butter, mango, and homemade cashew milk and topped with hempseed granola, coconut flakes (my favorite), banana and agave nectar, the Acai Mango Bowl is a delicious bowl with just 320 calories. Filled with antioxidants, it’s definitely a healthier alternative to a banana split. And it provides energy, aids in digestion, and is anti-inflammatory. Not bad for a bowl of what tastes like ice cream.

nekter juice bar

Photo by Sayuri Sekimitsu

In short, no matter what your needs or cravings are, you can find something that will quench your thirst and hunger at Nekter Juice Bar. My personal favorite was the Health Nut and next time I go, I’m going to substitute my peanut butter with almond butter (#SpoonTip).