It’s that time of year again. If you live in a cold climate, you’re probably really ready for some sun. Flip flops, tank tops, sitting outside… the whole bit sounds like a dream that can’t come soon enough. Unfortunately, there’s still at least a month of chilly weather to deal with, so we’re doing the next best thing: eating like we’re on a beach. Fake out your senses with these citrus smoothies (fun fact: Citrus fruits are best in the winter season). We swear, if you close your eyes, you can almost hear the waves.
If a vibrant orange smoothie and tropical vibes aren’t enough to convince ya, the winter sniffles might. Hopefully, you’ve avoided getting sick thus far. If you do catch a cold though, loading up on vitamin C (hey, citrus!) might help it go away sooner. Make these healthy smoothies and then take a sip, smile, repeat.
1. Pomegranate Citrus Smoothies
Pomegranate arils make everything look prettier, agreed? Set a few aside to sprinkle on top before blending up this tangy smoothie. It’s filled with frozen fruit and Greek yogurt, both of which help make it thick and creamy. An orange peel on the rim adds to the festive feel.
2. Mango Citrus Smoothie
If you’ve ever wondered how much orange can fit in one smoothie, this might be the answer. It squeezes in mango, clementine, and orange juice then throws in some red strawberries for good measure. Feel free to add a scoop of protein powder or some nut butter so you don’t get a sugar crash.
3. Ginger Grapefruit Smoothie
While we’re generally skeptical of things with “detox” in the name, this smoothie actually looks pretty substantial (and tasty). Plus, if you’re on the fence about grapefruit, adding it to a smoothie is a good way to ease into the taste, since it’s a little less intense when mixed with pineapple and yogurt.
4. Blood Orange Banana Smoothie
Blood oranges are regular oranges’ juicier, tarter cousin, and they make a great addition to smoothies (and margs… just sayin’). Pro tip: You’re definitely better off squeezing the juice yourself since blood orange juice can be annoyingly expensive. Other than that, you just need a frozen banana, honey, cinnamon, and yogurt and you’re good to go.
5. Immune Booster Citrus Smoothie
Remember Orange Julius? This cold-busting smoothie is basically a healthier version of the shopping mall favorite. It’s made with banana, oranges, mango, coconut milk, and Greek yogurt, giving it a tart and tangy taste. If you’re feeling bold or need some help clearing out your sinuses, add the optional teaspoon of ground ginger.
6. Lemon Turmeric Smoothie
If you love lemon poppyseed muffins, think of this as the healthy, drinkable alternative. It uses chia seeds instead of poppy, but the texture and super-yellow color (thanks in part to turmeric!) will help satisfy any breakfast-cake cravings.
7. Citrus Protein Green Smoothie
Don’t let the green color fool you: This smoothie has an orange and half a grapefruit mixed in; the colors just get muted out by all the spinach. Luckily, between the citrus and strawberries, it’s still plenty sweet. There’s also a scoop of vanilla protein powder in there to make it extra filling.
