Save to Pinterest There's something about the way tart cherry juice stains your fingers that makes you feel like you're doing something right in the kitchen. My neighbor brought over a bag of frozen cherries one summer morning, insisting they'd change my breakfast routine, and I was skeptical until I dumped them into a blender with almond butter and watched the whole thing turn this gorgeous deep pink. That first sip was like discovering a flavor I'd been missing without knowing it—bright, creamy, just sweet enough to feel indulgent but light enough to drink before a long day.
I made this for my sister when she was visiting and couldn't eat gluten, and watching her face when she realized she could have something this good without restriction was worth every blended second. She asked for the recipe immediately, and now it's become this thing we both make on Sunday mornings when we're catching up on the phone—me in my kitchen, her in hers, both of us holding the same pink smoothie.
Ingredients
- Frozen tart cherries: These are the backbone of the whole smoothie, giving you that sharp, almost wine-like tartness that balances everything else perfectly, and freezing them means you never have to worry about them going bad.
- Ripe banana: This softens the tart cherry edge and gives the smoothie body without making it taste banana-forward, so pick one that's yellow with a few brown speckles but not fully spotted.
- Plain Greek yogurt: The protein and creaminess come from here, and it keeps the smoothie thick enough that you feel like you're actually eating breakfast, not just drinking juice.
- Unsweetened almond milk: You want unsweetened because the cherries and maple syrup will sweeten this plenty, and almond milk lets the fruit flavors shine without adding vanilla or other distractions.
- Almond butter: Two tablespoons might seem like a lot, but it creates this silky texture and adds a subtle nuttiness that ties everything together.
- Pure maple syrup: Use the real stuff here if you can, and start with just a tablespoon since the cherries bring natural sweetness—you can always add more, but you can't take it out.
Instructions
- Load the blender:
- Dump the frozen cherries, sliced banana, Greek yogurt, almond milk, almond butter, and maple syrup into your blender in whatever order feels natural—it doesn't matter because everything's about to get mixed up anyway.
- Blend until smooth:
- Turn your blender to high speed and let it run for about a minute, stopping halfway through to check that the frozen cherries are breaking down and everything's combining evenly. If you hear it struggling, give it a few extra seconds, but don't go longer than ninety seconds or the friction heat will start to warm everything up.
- Taste and adjust:
- Pour a tiny bit into a spoon and try it, because this is when you decide if you want more sweetness or if the maple syrup you added is just right for your taste.
- Pour and serve:
- Divide the smoothie between two glasses and drink it immediately while it's still cold and thick, or pour it into a to-go container if you're heading out the door.
Save to Pinterest My kids took one sip of this and declared it their favorite breakfast, and suddenly the mornings became less about rushing them out the door and more about them actually wanting to sit down and eat something. It became this small ritual, and I realized that sometimes the best thing food can do is buy you time with the people you love.
When to Make This
Summer mornings are prime smoothie time, but honestly, this works year-round because frozen cherries don't care about the season. I make it on days when I overslept and need breakfast in my hand before the car ride, and I also make it on lazy weekends when I want something that tastes special without any actual effort.
How to Make It Your Own
The beauty of this smoothie is that it's flexible enough to bend to whatever you have on hand or whatever your body needs that day. Honey or agave syrup work just as well as maple syrup, cashew milk or oat milk won't change the flavor profile, and if you want extra protein for post-workout mornings, a scoop of vanilla protein powder disappears into the cherry flavor without anyone noticing.
Storage and Make-Ahead Ideas
This smoothie is best drunk immediately because that's when the texture is thickest and the temperature is coldest, but you can absolutely prep everything the night before by measuring out the cherries, banana, and yogurt into a freezer bag. When morning comes, just dump it all into the blender with the liquid and you're done in two minutes flat.
- Freeze your banana slices in a parchment-lined container so they don't stick together and you can grab exactly what you need.
- Buy frozen cherries in bulk when they're on sale and store them in the freezer for months, giving you smoothie material whenever the craving hits.
- If you've made extra smoothie by accident, pour it into popsicle molds and freeze them for a different texture experience later.
Save to Pinterest This smoothie has become the thing I make when I want to feel like I'm taking care of myself without any of the guilt or the fuss. There's something about drinking something this delicious and knowing exactly what went into it that just makes the whole day start better.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
For best texture and freshness, blend and serve immediately. The mixture may separate if stored, though it can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours and re-blended before serving.
- → How can I make this smoothie thicker?
Use frozen banana instead of fresh, add a handful of ice cubes before blending, or reduce the almond milk to 3/4 cup for a thicker, spoonable consistency.
- → What can I substitute for almond butter?
Cashew butter, sunflower seed butter for nut-free versions, or peanut butter work well. Each creates a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining creaminess.
- → Is this smoothie suitable for meal prep?
Portion ingredients into freezer bags for easy blending later. Combine frozen cherries, sliced banana, and almond butter in bags, then add liquid and yogurt when ready to blend.
- → Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
Fresh cherries work but may require additional ice to achieve the desired cold temperature and thickness. Frozen fruit also provides a smoother, creamier texture.
- → How can I increase the protein content?
Add a scoop of vanilla or plain protein powder, use Greek yogurt with higher protein content, or include an extra tablespoon of almond butter for additional plant-based protein.