I always crave bright and fruity smoothies in the summertime, and this strawberry cherry smoothie with lemon zest definitely hits the spot!
It gets a boost of protein from Greek yogurt and flax seeds, too, so it makes a great breakfast or midday snack.
Lemon Cherry Fruit Smoothie
There’s nothing better than a refreshing smoothie on a hot day to cool you off, and this one is a perfect choice for summer (or any time)! It’s packed with antioxidants, and only takes about 5 minutes to whip up. I also love that there’s also a good amount of protein, so it keeps you satisfied longer.
The lemon zest – paired with the cherries – really brightens up the flavor, and the strawberries add a little extra juicy sweetness. (I love summer fruit like cherries and strawberries – see my Easy Strawberry Breakfast Recipes post for some inspiration if you do, too!)
You can easily swap out the fruit in this smoothie if you want, though – feel free to get creative. Bananas, peaches, frozen watermelon rind, oranges, other berries – they would all be delicious!
For more smoothie inspiration, check out my mix & match healthy smoothie recipes post!
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this lemon cherry smoothie:
- cherries (fresh or frozen – just make sure they are pitted!)
- strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- lemon zest
- Greek yogurt (I like to use plain Greek yogurt, but if you want a sweeter smoothie, you can use a flavored variation.)
- ground flax seeds (Or chia seeds! If you don’t like the texture of ground chia seeds in your smoothies, let the chia seeds sit in the milk for 10-15 minutes to absorb some of the liquid, then blend them with the other smoothie ingredients. You can also use your favorite protein powder instead.)
- milk (dairy milk or non-dairy milk like almond milk, hemp milk, soy milk, etc. – just go for unsweetened unless you want an extra sweet smoothie)
- vanilla extract
If you use frozen fruit in this smoothie, you won’t need to add any ice. If the fruit is fresh, toss in a few ice cubes!
You might also enjoy this strawberry watermelon rind smoothie, this creamy spirulina smoothie, or this berry yogurt smoothie!
How to Make a Strawberry Cherry Smoothie
To make this smoothie, just combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth! You can add more milk as needed, to control the consistency of the smoothie to your preference. I prefer a less thick smoothie but I know not everyone does!
Want to add some veggies to the mix? Throw in a handful of baby spinach before blending. (You won’t even notice it!) Some mint leaves would also be a great addition – the strawberry/mint combo is always delicious.
Pour the mixture into a glass and sip away!
When are cherries in season?
Cherry season usually starts around mid-April or May and goes through late July or early August. So summertime is the best time for fresh cherries! (You can also buy frozen cherries year-round to make this smoothie).
Are cherries nutritious?
Absolutely! Cherries are packed with Vitamins C, A, and K, plus other minerals like potassium and magnesium. Not only that, but they contain antioxidants (like beta-carotene) and anti-inflammatory compounds, too!
Tart cherry juice in particular makes a great sport drink, actually – check out my Tart Cherry Sports Drink recipe if you want to mix up your summer fitness beverages!
Smoothie Topping Ideas
Enjoy this smoothie on its own, or add some toppings to make it into a delicious smoothie bowl! Here are some topping ideas:
- Nut butter (use natural almond butter or peanut butter for that drippy texture that’s easy to drizzle)
- Sliced bananas or other sliced fruit
- Granola
- Shredded coconut
- Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.) for crunch & healthy fat
- Seeds (like pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds)
You’ll find the full strawberry cherry smoothie recipe at the end of this post. I hope you love it!
What’s your favorite fruit to use in smoothies? Let me know in the comments!
Looking for more inspiration? Check these smoothie recipes out:
- Mango Pineapple Smoothie with Kale
- Banana Spinach Smoothie
- Ginger Turmeric Smoothie with Mango
- Mint Avocado Banana Smoothie (Healthy Shamrock Shake)
Strawberry Cherry Smoothie with Lemon
This strawberry cherry smoothie with lemon zest is bright, refreshing & easy to make. Plus, it's packed with protein for more staying power!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cherries (pitted)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more milk if desired to reach your preferred consistency.
Notes:
If using fresh fruit, I recommend adding a handful of ice cubes to your smoothie before blending to thicken the smoothie.
Feel free to add a small handful of fresh mint and/or baby spinach to the smoothie to add a little extra nutrients. The mint will add wonderful flavor, and you won't taste the spinach!
