This Blood Orange Mixed Berry Smoothie is not only delicious but it's also super healthy for you with lots of nutrients packed into a single cup. Make this in the mornings to give you a boost of energy and vitamins and start your day off right!
So I’m sure by now y’all know I’m a BIG smoothie lover! I could drink smoothies every day. There are so many great benefits to drinking smoothies, but the biggest one is probably the amount of vitamins and nutrients you can get in just one single cup! And this Blood Orange Mixed Berry smoothie is no exception. With the addition of blood oranges, this smoothie gets an extra boost of antioxidants to go along with its delicious taste! You can also add this Tropical Blood Orange Smoothie to your weekly rotation!
What Are Blood Oranges?
A Blood orange is a citrus fruit that is part of the orange family. Its name comes from its dark red flesh color that sometimes varies from a pinkish-red to a “blood” reddish color. The red pigment in blood oranges come from what is called ‘Anthocyanins.’ Anthocyanins are a type of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to help protect your body from free radicals and can help fight off chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Blood oranges are full of anthocyanins and therefore very rich in antioxidants! But they are also a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium and Fiber. Blood oranges are mostly available during the winter season from December through April.
Do Blood Oranges Taste Like Regular Oranges?
The short answer is Yes. For the most part, blood oranges taste just like the regular oranges you are familiar with, but they do have a slightly different and unique taste. In my opinion they are slightly sweeter than a navel orange, but not as sweet as a tangerine. However, some people feel as though they are a little more tart and not as sweet as a regular orange. It really depends on the person. Regardless, there is no denying the gorgeous dark red color you get when you cut into one of these beauties!
Blood Orange Smoothie Ingredients
Blood Oranges - You can find blood oranges at most grocery stores in the produce section, but they are most available when they are in season during the winter months.
Spinach - I prefer fresh spinach when I’m making a smoothie, unless I happen to add some spinach to my smoothie prep freezer bag. When buying spinach for your smoothies, make sure to purchase organic spinach!
Frozen Mixed Berries - Frozen mixed berries are also common and easy to find in most grocery stores in the frozen fruit section. Sometimes they will come with just 3 varieties of berries in a pack and sometimes they may have 4. You can also grab your favorite variety of fresh berries (i.e. strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) and freeze them ahead of time to use in your smoothie!
Banana - Frozen bananas work best as it gives the smoothie a thick, creamy consistency. Just peel your banana ahead of time, cut it in half and lay it in a single layer on a plate. Freeze in your freezer for about 3 hours. Then transfer the frozen banana from the plate to a freezer safe bag or air-tight container.
Honey (optional) - Sweeteners for the most part are always optional in smoothies. But a touch of honey does seem to help balance the tartness of the oranges and mixed berries in this smoothie.
Ground flaxseeds or protein powder (optional) - I love adding ground flaxseeds to most of my smoothies. You can also add your favorite protein powder to this smoothie as well.
Tips For Making A Great Smoothie
Use frozen fruit for your smoothies. Besides the Blood Oranges and spinach I use frozen fruit to give me the perfect smoothie texture without having to use ice. Ice can sometimes water down your smoothie. So whenever you have the opportunity, always opt for frozen fruit.
Add your liquid first. Always add your liquid first to the blender when making a smoothie. This not only protects the blades in your blender but it also helps the ingredients to blend easier.
Sweeteners. Try to stay away from adding regular sugar to your smoothie. Use natural sweeteners instead like honey, maple syrup or dates instead.
More Smoothie Recipes
- Tropical Blood Orange Smoothie
- Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
- Avocado Pineapple Smoothie
- Strawberry Spinach Green Smoothie
- Matcha Green Smoothie
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Blood Orange Mixed Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 Blood Oranges peeled & seeds removed
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 ½ cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 teaspoon honey optional
- 2 teaspoon ground flaxseeds optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in the order listed to your blender. You can juice your blood oranges if you prefer. But I often find it easier to just peel them, remove any seeds, then add the orange segments to my blender.
- Blend until smooth and enjoy!
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