By now, it should be no surprise that I’m a huge fan of Babo. For those unfamiliar with the Ann Arbor store (what have you been doing with your life?), Babo is a healthy gourmet market located in Ann Arbor.
One of my favorite things to get at Babo are their fresh pressed juices. Drinking juices is a great and healthy way to stay fueled when you don’t have time to sit down and eat food, a common struggle of busy college students.
The grab-and-go Babo in Nickel’s Arcade is the perfect place to pick up one of their delicious juices, but the number of choices can make the decision last way longer than it should. Here’s a list of which juices are the best depending on what you’re in the mood for.
DISCLAIMER
Babo’s juices are not this small. These are the sample sizes that I tasted, so I give you my spoon oath that I genuinely tried every single one, giving you all the juice on these juices.
If it’s breakfast time…
“Get Up N’ Go” is the perfect breakfast drink. Not only is it super filling because of the whey protein, but the cold press coffee ingredient will give you the caffeine kick you need to get through your day.
If you want to have some greens in the AM, try the “That’s So Almond” drink. The spinach, orange, avocado and almond butter combo sounds a bit scary, but together they create a surprisingly sweet, filling smoothie-like drink.
If you want a juice, in addition to your breakfast, the fresh squeezed orange juice is a staple. The only ingredient is orange, and for all of you pulp haters, Babo’s orange juice only has a little bit of pulp, so there are no strings attached. (Get it?)
If you just worked out…
After a workout you’re gonna need to get some protein in your body if you wanna get swoll, and these drinks are a perfect way to recuperate after a good sweat session.
The “Gorilla” has vanilla whey protein, which is perfect for a post-workout snack, and the banana and almond milk make this drink super creamy.
The previously mentioned “Get Up ‘N Go” juice is also a perfect post-workout sip because of the chocolate whey protein, and really, who doesn’t want chocolate after a workout? If you’re blessed enough to have the motivation to work out early in the morning, good for you. This is the perfect post-workout breakfast.
If you’re in the mood for a salad…
Not everyone loves a super veggie tasting green juice, but if you’re in the mood for a juice that tastes more savory, try one of these guys.
Babo’s “Grass is Greener” juice is the perfect green juice. The apple gives it a hint of sweetness, but for the most part it tastes super green. Plus the ginger, cucumber and lemon are great ingredients if you’re looking to detox.
“Live Long & Green” is another green juice that isn’t super sweet. If you’re a lover of green juices and want to feed your body with some leafy greens, this is the perfect thing to try.
If you’re in the mood for a sweet green juice…
Personally, I’m a lover of sweet green juices because they usually mask the fact that I’m basically drinking a salad. So, if you’re like me and prefer fruity green juices, these ones are the way to go.
My favorite green juice is the “Pineapple Express.” It’s the perfect combination of fruit and greens and has everyone’s favorite superfood, KALE. The pineapple-kale combo is also known to de-bloat (which is probably necessary after last night’s late night feta bread).
Another sweet green juice option is the “Alpha Kale” juice. The juice is made up of kale, kiwi, cucumber, banana, and orange, and if you like citrus you’ll definitely love it.
If you want something to really fill you up…
Sometimes, two hours after drinking a juice, my stomach is already growling. Babo’s drinks that include avocado are perfect if you want something a little bit more substantial.
My favorite green drink with avocado is the “AKA.” It’s super creamy, and even though you can taste the kale, the taste of the apple gives this juice the perfect amount of sweetness.
“The Hardcore” is also a great option, but it’s a little less sweet than the “AKA” because of the celery and the spinach. So if you want more greens, this filling juice is for you.
The previously mentioned, “That’s So Almond” is another hearty option because of the almond butter. Don’t be scared off by the combination of orange, avocado and almond butter- I promise it tastes delicious.
If you’re starting to feel sick…
The second I feel a scratch in my throat, I pick up a bottle of “Honey Gingerade.” Lemon, ginger and honey are all amazing for a sore throat.
#SpoonTip: Heat this juice in the microwave for 30 seconds in a microwave safe cup. Hot fluids are an even better way to help a nasty sore throat.
If I’m starting to feel sick, “Here Comes the Sun” is another one of my favorite juices. Pineapple and orange both pack tons of vitamin C, which can help you kick your cold. This juice is also more interesting than boring ‘ol orange juice.
If you want something refreshing…
If it’s a beautiful day in Ann Arbor (it must not be January-March), these juices are the perfect company on the diag, and could even make a killer instagram.
“Lemon Berry” is one of my favorite juices. It tastes like a super sweet strawberry lemonade without all of the nasty additives and sugars that bottled lemonades have- instead it’s naturally sweetened with honey.
If you want something that’s more detoxifying, “Press Refresh” is a great option. Aloe vera is the newest trendy ingredient known for its detoxifying properties, and this drink tastes delicious.
Because of the coconut water and the watermelon ingredients, the “Chillionaire” is also great if you want something super hydrating. Some are even saying that watermelon water will be the next coconut water because both waters are rich in nutrients. Interesting.
If you hate all veggies, but know you need to eat some…
Lachanophobia is an irrational fear of vegetables. It’s a real thing people. Read on if you think you may suffer from it.
“Safety First” is a fruit juice that can trick even the most veggie-phobic of people. The taste of the carrots is completely shielded by the citrus flavors, and this drink mostly tastes like a unique orange juice.
If you aren’t a beet fan you won’t like “Red Lipstick,” but this juice tastes like the farthest thing from a veggie juice. Beets are ridiculously healthy, and they also taste way sweeter than your average vegetable.