Cranberry Juice Smoothie

100% pure cranberry juice makes an incredible base for smoothies. Its slightly sweet and sour taste gives every smoothie a refreshing and mood-boosting kick. Combine it with orange juice, raspberries, and beet (or bananas) for the ultimate healthy pink smoothie.

This cranberry juice smoothie has an overall fruity flavor from the orange and raspberries with a pleasant tartness from the cranberries. You can definitely slightly taste the beets, which is why I recommend substituting them with bananas if you don't like them.

For more vibrant pink smoothie recipes, check out this berry breakfast smoothie and this cherry dessert smoothie.

What you need to know about cranberry juice

• Cranberry juice is an excellent source of vitamins C and E (source).
• It's rich in antioxidants, which prevent oxidative stress at cell level (source).
• It's believed to prevent the growth of bacteria in the stomach and urinary tract (source).
• Research on urinary tract infections and cranberry juice is mixed. Some have seen a positive association while others didn't (source).
• Even though it has a pretty sour taste, unsweetened cranberry juice is quite high in natural sugars, with 12 grams of sugar per 100 g.
• Many store-bought cranberry juices contain lots of added sugar. Always check the ingredient list and look for those that contain 100% cranberries.

Why you'll love this recipe

• This cranberry smoothie comes together in less than 5 minutes.
• You can drink it in the morning or as an afternoon snack.
• It's naturally dairy-free and packed with vitamin C.
• It's definitely less conventional and perfect to switch up your smoothie routine.

Key ingredients and substitutions

• Pure unsweetened cranberry juice (also known as cranberry juice concentrate) made from 100% fresh cranberries is what you want to look for. Avoid the sweetened and watered-down alternatives. Since pure cranberry juice is really intense, I like to use half juice and half water.
• Whole orange adds a natural sweetness and pairs incredibly well with cranberries. You can use fresh orange juice but using the whole orange adds fiber to the smoothie.
• Beetroot (sub banana) is a great way to sneak in an extra serving of vegetables for the day. I use pre-cooked vacuum-sealed beets that are super convenient and blend easily. If you don't like beets, you can substitute them with the same frozen banana slices.
• Frozen raspberries provide a thicker, frozen texture. They also naturally cool the drink without having to add ice cubes. You can replace them with frozen cherries.

My juice of choice made from 100% cranberries is the cranberry juice from Lakewood. It's pasteurized juice pressed from fresh cranberries not made from concentrate. On top of that, it's certified organic and free from preservatives.

Elo's tips

1. Carefully read the labels when buying cranberry juice. Those stating "100% cranberry juice" actually only contain cranberries while those stating "100% juice" also contain other types of juices such as apple and grape juice. To be safe, always double-check the ingredient list.
2. Clean your blender right after making the smoothie. It makes the cleaning process a lot easier.
3. Make a beet salad with the leftover pre-cooked beets. They taste amazing with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and dried oregano.

Step-by-step instructions (with pictures)

STEP 1: Peel the orange. Cut off the top and the bottom of the orange. Run a paring knife along the rind. Make sure to remove all the bitter white bits.

STEP 2: Add everything to a blender. Start with cranberry juice, water, and orange juice. Then add in the beet and frozen raspberries.

Watch how to make it!

Equipment

I love using my high-speed Kitchenaid blender for all my smoothies. But a regular smoothie blender would work well for this recipe as it contains lots of liquids.

As a smoothie lover, I invested in a high-quality blender several years ago and it was definitely a great investment. Make sure to read my honest review about the Kitchenaid K400 if you're considering getting a high-speed blender.

Variation ideas

• Pineapple – sub the raspberries for pineapple for a more tropical flavor.
• Yogurt – add your favorite unsweetened plant-based yogurt (or Greek yogurt if not vegan) for extra creaminess.
• Spinach – add in a handful of spinach for an extra serving of veggies. I promise you won't taste it.

Frequently asked questions