Mixed Berry Smoothie

I’ve been told that the world doesn’t need another berry smoothie recipe. Yet here I am, giving you another berry smoothie recipe.

Vertical image of glass cups with a bright purple drink on a slate, with text on the top and bottom of the image.

And I have no shame, because this sweet and creamy blend is delicious. And why would I keep something this good, and good for you, to myself?

Even if it is another berry smoothie recipe.

This particular recipe has a lot going for it, so let me tell you three key points on my side of the argument, once you’re done rolling your eyes at me.

First, there are no bananas in this recipe. Only beautiful berry flavor.

I love bananas, I really do – but I don’t want to taste them in every single smoothie I make.

Vertical image of three glasses filled with a mixed fruit shake on a slate next to a straw.

I understand that whizzing up a smoothie with a frozen banana offers smoothness and richness, but sometimes I’m just not in the mood for that characteristically banana-y taste.

I’ll save it for another smoothie recipe. Banana date tahini, you’ll have your moment soon.

Or, better yet, I’ll let them get nice and brown and ripe, and use them in a homemade loaf of chocolate chip banana bread.

Secondly, there is no ice in this recipe. Again, only delicious fruity flavor.

When you’re already using frozen berries, there is no serious need to add ice, which can dilute your breakfast beverage while adding zero additional flavor.

Vertical top-down image of cups filled with a bright purple shake next to fresh fruit and straws.

Adding ice can be nice to thin out a recipe on occasion, but I prefer creamier additions instead, like vanilla-flavored yogurt and milk. And even the vegans out there can enjoy this tasty blend with non-dairy versions, and by using agave nectar instead of honey.

Finally, you can customize the mix to your liking. Yet again, only pure berry flavor that is purely you is the name of the game here!

I enjoy going to my local farmers market in the summer, buying pounds upon pounds of the juiciest, tastiest, and freshest seasonal fruit, and freezing them to enjoy throughout the year in recipes like this one.

I’ll typically use a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, in whatever ratio my current cravings dictate. And maybe some acai berries, for more superfood power.

Vertical image of cups filled with a bright fruit shake next to straws.

It’s a quick and easy recipe, with sweet and simple flavors you can customize and enjoy to your heart’s – and your stomach’s! – content.

What’s this? You think you might like to try it?

Let me get back in the kitchen – I’ll make another one!

Print
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Horizontal image of glasses filled with a bright purple beverage on a slate next to straws and fresh fruit.

Mixed Berry Smoothie


  • Author: Nikki Cervone
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 smoothie 1x

Description

Simple and sweet, our mixed berry smoothie is a quick and easy blend of four ingredients: assorted berries, milk, yogurt, and sweetener.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup low-fat milk or non-dairy milk beverage, plus more as needed
  • 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt or non-dairy version
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar or honey, plus more as needed
  • 1 cup frozen assorted berries

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender, adding in this order so the milk, yogurt, and sweetener are closer to the blade and the frozen berries are the furthest away.
  2. Blend at high speed until smooth, adding more milk or sweetener as needed to adjust to your desired consistency and sweetness.
  3. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Smoothie
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: Beverage

Keywords: berries, mixed berry, smoothie, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry

Cooking by the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prep

Plug in your high-speed blender and set out a tall cup.

Horizontal image of four bowls filled with measured and prepped ingredients.

Measure out the milk, vanilla yogurt, agave nectar or honey, and the frozen assorted fruit.

Make sure you have a little extra milk and sweetener available, in case you need to make any adjustments before serving.

Step 2 – Add Ingredients to Blender

For a smoothie that blends flawlessly, the order in which you add the ingredients does matter!

Horizontal image of ingredients in a blender cup.

Place the milk, yogurt, and sweetener in your blender in this order, so they are closer to the blade. Place the frozen fruit in last, so it’s furthest from the blade.

Adding any liquids and lighter ingredients closest to the blade, and then layering frozen ingredients on top of that allows them to push the lighter items towards the blade for a smooth mix.

Using an inverted blender? No problem! Just reverse the order that you add these, so the frozen ingredients are furthest from the blade when you blend.

Step 3 – Blend and Serve

Blend at high speed until a thick and smooth mixture forms, for about 30 seconds.

Horizontal top-down image of cups filled with a bright purple shake next to fresh fruit and straws.

Does it seem a little thick? Add more milk about 1/8 cup at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Is it not sweet enough? That can happen when the fruit is a little tart! Add a few more drops of honey or agave nectar and blend again.

When it reaches your level of personal satisfaction, pour the smoothie into your cup and serve immediately.

Store-Bought Pre-Frozen Fruit Is A-Okay!

I love a useful shortcut.

More often than you would believe, I have purchased store-bought pre-frozen bags of fruit, everything from mixed berries to cubed mangoes, from the freezer section of my grocery store.

This convenient option is so helpful when desperation strikes. In those moments, when you’re running late or the early morning hours simply aren’t going your way, it can be such a lifesafer to realize you have a few bags of frozen fruit on hand to whip up something quick.

Horizontal image of glasses filled with a bright purple beverage on a slate next to straws and fresh fruit.

You don’t have to worry about cleaning, prepping, cutting, and freezing – having it all done for you is a kitchen prep blessing.

Take advantage of it when necessary!

What do you think your ideal mixed fruit ratio is going to be for this smoothie? Or maybe you’d prefer to make it with just one variety? The comment section is wide open, so let’s talk!

I can certainly be a little blueberry-biased with my smoothies. They are always included in my mix, and in countless other blueberry recipes that I like to make at home. If you love these globular blue babes as much as I do, here are some more sweet and healthy recipes to make featuring them:

Photos by Nikki Cervone, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published by Jennifer Swartvagher on June 11, 2015. Last updated on January 11, 2023.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Nikki Cervone

Nikki Cervone is an ACS Certified Cheese Professional and cheesemonger living in Pittsburgh. Nikki holds an AAS in baking/pastry from Westmoreland County Community College, a BA in Communications from Duquesne University, and an MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University. When she's not nibbling on her favorite cheeses or testing a batch of cupcakes, Nikki enjoys a healthy dose of yoga, wine, hiking, singing in the shower, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

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