No matter what your summer day holds - hiking, biking, BBQing, grabbing a drink, all of the above – kicking it all off with a satisfying, fruit-filled smoothie will set you up for success. And just like my fave lockdown athletic-wear, this one happens to be drenched in black, thanks to a secret ingredient—activated charcoal.
Tip: You can speed up your smoothie routine by prepping the juice cubes ahead of time. Regular ice cubes water down the vibrant flavors of your smoothie, so I created this hack to help boost the juiciness. Clear out a corner of your freezer and plan this one the night before. One sip and you’ll see why it’s worth it.
Serving size: Makes 2 smoothies
Ingredients
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2 bananas, peeled and frozen
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4 orange juice cubes
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4 coconut milk cubes
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½ cup frozen mango chunks
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½ cup frozen pineapple
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1 cup kale, cleaned and torn
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1 cup spinach
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2 tsp. activated charcoal
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2 cups coconut milk
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Toasted coconut flakes (unsweetened)
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Edible flower petals (optional)
Mise En Place
Layer the greens at the very bottom of the blender’s base, below all the frozen fruit and cubes. This will allow the greens to get blended first and fastest to prevent flecks. Pour coconut milk to cover ¾ of your fruits and greens and gradually work the blender up from low to its highest setting. Add additional coconut milk if needed. Once smooth, sprinkle your activated charcoal into the mixture and blend on high until your drink turns black.
Assembly
Pour smoothie into two pint glasses, sprinkle coconut flakes and edible flowers over the top. Serve with your favorite straw.
