It’s amazing what the right smoothie can do.
This one gives me energy and makes me feel refreshed and revitalized.
Partly because it’s not a super sweet smoothie. I used Montmorency tart cherries, which have a unique sour-sweet taste. The slight tartness wakes up my tastebuds and cuts through the cobwebs in my brain without needing to pour a cup of coffee.
It’s a great smoothie pre- or post-workout, or any time you need a little pick-me-up. It’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and packed with tons of bold flavor.
The tart cherries are rich in vitamin A and for fruits and vegetables, a sour taste is often a cue for more phytonutrient compounds inside. Montmorency tart cherries contain anthocyanins, a flavonoid that contributes to the ruby-red color and distinguishing taste.
Tart cherries are available in dried, frozen and juice forms so you can enjoy these superfruits year-round.
The banana is packed with potassium, and coconut water is like nature’s sports drink and naturally balances and replenishes electrolytes.
The cherry flavor is bold yet tempered by the smooth, creamy banana. Bananas are such workhorses in smoothies. I always keep a stash of banana chunks in the freezer so I can toss a few into the blender for smoothies. No need for ice that way, either.
I sweetened it to taste so that it’s sweet-yet-tart like a glass of lemonade should be. It’s refreshing and zingy without having to pucker up.
It’s interesting that expert trend trackers say sour is the new spicy, which will no doubt change the food industry. To learn more about going tart instead, and to find recipes and serving ideas for tart cherries, visit choosecherries.com
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Cherry Revitalizer Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups Montmorency tart cherries, frozen
- 2 medium/large ripe bananas, previously frozen in chunks is ideal
- 1 cup coconut water, water may be substituted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- sweetener, to taste (granulated sugar, agave, stevia, zero-calorie sweetener, etc.)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the canister of a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately. Extra portions may be frozen in freezer-safe (plastic) glasses for up to 3 months. Allow to soften at room temp before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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A Year’s Supply of Dried Tart Cherries and Tart Cherry Juice
A KitchenAid 7-Quart Mixer
Le Creuset 4.5- Quart Dutch Oven
Anthropolgie Apron
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
I was asked to participate in the National Cherry Month #GoTart Campaign as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network. I received free samples of tart cherries mentioned in this post from the Cherry Marketing Institute. I was compensated for my time. Opinions expressed are my own. #GoTart Giveaway
Using dried cherries in homemade granola is the best !
I love to eat tart cherries just by the handful. Pop them in my mouth and yum. I love cherry pie and recently found a recipe for a cherry sauce that I am going to give a try. A cherry smoothie–a delicious way to kick start the day!
I love cherry spice cake!
I love cherry pie in the summer!
Gorgeous smoothie! I like dried sour cherries in homemade chocolate protein bars.
Yummy!!
Can someone PLEASE help me! I don’t see anywhere to enter for the giveaway!
That’s so exciting to see some real Michigan cherries on your blog! :) I live in Lansing – just a few miles south of DeWitt (home of ChooseCherries)! I would be baking up a STORM with these tart cherries. And of course, I would try this smoothie.. sounds delicious!
Wow–awesome giveaway! I’ve been loving tart things lately and would love to try this tart smoothie.
And I did use cherries this summer when they were in season. It was amazing and full of antioxidants!
This is beautiful! I’d love to try. I drink a smoothie every day – can’t live without. Thanks for the recipe!
I am all about smoothies right now! I just made a chocolate cherry version yesterday morning for a post-yoga treat, and I think this vibrant revitalizer version is next!!!
cherries in a pie
Positively gorgeous smoothie!
I admit to not having had tart cherries. But I enjoy sweet cherries as they are! I will need to try these tart cherries out!
Can’t beat fresh cherry pie with warm vanilla ice cream