This holiday smoothie tastes like Christmas in a glass! It is super fresh, made with mandarin and gingerbread spices. I love that this recipe is healthy and not too sweet, making it perfect for the days leading up to Christmas or Christmas morning.
Try my iced coffee smoothie (for a banana-free option) or this chai banana smoothie for other festive season smoothie recipes that are absolutely delicious.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Perfectly chilled: This smoothie is ice cold from the frozen bananas, which makes it super refreshing.
- A healthy break: This is a nice, healthy treat between the holiday feasts. It’s full of fresh fruit and other wholesome plant-based ingredients.
- 2-minute recipe: This is easy to whip up in a few minutes – just make sure to freeze your bananas the night before. Other than that, there’s nothing to make ahead or prepare in advance.
- Kid-friendly: I know for many parents, the holiday season can seem full of sweets and treats. This Christmas smoothie recipe is a great way to give your kids a healthy start to the day. Plus, they'll love the taste of a healthy gingerbread smoothie!
- Customizable recipe: You can easily add other ingredients like coconut flakes, fresh berries, a little bit of cocoa and peppermint extract (think hot chocolate smoothie flavor!), a little sweet potato (pumpkin pie smoothie); the list is endless. If you want to add a sweetener, consider maple syrup.
Key Ingredients
- Frozen banana: The best way to sweeten naturally! There is no need to add maple syrup or any other sweetener.
- Mandarin or clementine: Adds the most delicious fresh flavor that pairs beautifully with the ginger. You can peel and freeze your citrus if you want your drink to be more icy.
- Plant-based milk of choice: I like to use half a cup of soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk (unsweetened), but you can use any non-dairy milk you like. Add a little less if you prefer a thick texture or want to build a smoothie bowl.
- Almond butter: For its plant-based protein and healthy fats. The color also reminds me of gingerbread, which I love! I recommend using unsweetened raw almond butter.
- Allspice or gingerbread spice mix: Guys, this is not to be skipped!
- Plant-based yogurt: Instead of adding traditional Greek yogurt, I blend in unsweetened soy yogurt for extra creaminess.
- Garnish: Crumbled gingerbread cookies on top are a must in my house!
Elo’s note: Add 2-3 tablespoons of gluten-free oats or 1 teaspoon of ground flax seeds to add extra fiber and make it more filling if you’re having it as an easy breakfast.
Elo’s tips
- Freeze your bananas when they are extra ripe. This gives the deepest banana flavor and creamiest texture.
- Remove the white bits from mandarin or clementine. These are bitter and add zero value.
- Use a high-speed blender if possible. This will help deliver the smoothest texture possible. I use and love the Nutribullet Pro.
- Taste to balance: You might need to add a little more frozen banana or spices to get the best flavor balance possible. Taste a little of the smoothie before pouring it out of the blender jug. Adjust if necessary.
- Serve immediately: While you can theoretically keep the smoothie in the fridge to serve later, I recommend serving it straight away for best texture and flavor.
How to make your own gingerbread spice mix
If you can’t find it at the store, combine ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg (or follow this gingerbread spice mix recipe). Eventually, add the cloves and cardamom – remember these two spices are potent in flavor, so add them gradually. Ensure you use the freshest spices for the best flavor.
Step-by-step instructions
STEP 1: Add all the ingredients into the jug of a blender. I like to use my Nutribullet for a velvety consistency.
STEP 2: Blend the ingredients until the smoothie is silky smooth.
STEP 3: Decorate the glass. Make it look festive by decorating your glass with almond butter. I like to dip the tip of my electric milk frother in almond butter and spin a few times inside the glass to create beautiful almond butter rims.
STEP 4: Pour and garnish. Top the smoothie with plant-based yogurt (as a whipped cream alternative), add a dash of cinnamon, and a gingerbread biscuit or candy canes.
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The recipe
Ultimate Christmas Smoothie
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (110 g) frozen banana slices
- 1 mandarine or 1 ½ clementines
- ½ cup (120 ml) plant-based milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons almond butter I use 100% brown almond butter
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla powder
Optional garnish
- 2-3 tablespoons plant-based yogurt I use unsweetened soy yogurt
- 1 Christmas biscuit
Instructions
- Peel the mandarin. Add it to a blender with the frozen bananas, plant-based milk, almond butter, allspice, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Blend until perfectly smooth.
- Optionally decorate your smoothie glass with almond butter. Dip an electric milk frother into almond butter. Hold it inside the glass and spin it for 5 seconds until almond butter rims form (see step-by-step pictures). Pour the smoothie into the glass.
- Optionally garnish with plant-based yogurt, a dash of cinnamon, and a gingerbread biscuit.
Notes
- Freeze your bananas when they are extra ripe. This gives the deepest banana flavor and creamiest texture.
- Remove the white bits from mandarin or clementine. These are bitter and add zero value.
- Serve immediately: While you can theoretically keep the smoothie in the fridge to serve later, I recommend serving it straight away for best texture and flavor.
- Have it for breakfast: Add 2-3 tablespoons of gluten-free oats or 1 teaspoon of ground flax seeds to add extra fiber and make it more filling if you’re having it as an easy breakfast.
Nutrition
Equipment
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