This smoothie reminds me of fall even though I’d prefer that it was summer 365 days a year.
But since fall is approaching, I figured I’d try to embrace it with some warming spices in my smoothie.
Not that I need to be warmed up.
It’s 94F and humid in Aruba and far from fall but this is the kind of weather I love.
I tried to get into the fall and back-to-school spirit by pairing fall warming spices, including cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with Caribbean citrus.
Citrus and ginger go really well together and they do double-duty of keeping the sickie germs at bay. Ginger is a natural anti-viral and extra Vitamin C can’t hurt when all those back-to-school germs come back-to-the-house. Oh goodie.
If you like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and those flavors of fall, this smoothie has you covered unless you’re a pumpkin fanatic.
I didn’t go quite that far quite, yet.
It’s still only August and we’ve got at least three good months of pumpkin (overload) season just around the corner. I pity anyone who reads blogs and doesn’t love pumpkin because there’s no shortage. For months.
The smoothie is really creamy and frothy because I tossed in a few bananas.
I don’t think I can make a smoothie without them, actually.
If you’re not quite ready to put away your flip-flops and shorts and want to milk the last drops of summer, this cold one is light and fruity enough for all those last-bits-of-summer-milkers but embraces fall.
And boy, in this heat, it went down incredibly fast and easy.
[print_this]
Citrus and Spice Smoothie (vegan and gluten-free)
Makes about 12 ounces
2 ripe small/medium bananas (previously frozen in chunks is preferred)
1 medium orange, peeled and halved
1/2 cup pineapple, diced (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1/2 to 2/3 cup cream or milk (or vegan milk)
2 tablespoons maple syrup or granulated sugar , optional and to taste
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice, optional
1/2 teaspoon orange or vanilla extract
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Optionally, garnish with a slice of orange or pineapple or a sprinkle of cinnamon . Serve immediately.
Optional add-ins: 1 whole graham cracker, 1/4 cup shredded coconut flakes or applesauce, 1 to 2 ounces vodka or light rum, 1 scoop protein powder, add 1 scoop of ice cream for a milkshake; garnish with whipped topping or whipped cream, coconut flakes, or graham cracker crumbs.
Note: all spices are to taste; if you prefer more or less spice, adjust amounts to your personal taste preferences.
[/print_this]
Related Recipes:
Orange PushUp Smoothie – One of my top three most popular recipes, of all time and tastes like an Orange PushUp
Spiced Apple Pie Smoothie (vegan, GF) – Break out the apple cider and hot toddy’s and feel free to spike it
Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – It’s too hot to be thinking pumpkin for me, unless it’s pumpkin pie in a cup
Cinnamon Raisin Bread Smoothie (vegan, GF) – Like drinking cinnamon raisin toast and so comforting
Cranberry & Orange Ginger Mango Chutney (vegan, GF) – Oranges and ginger is a combo I like in just about anything from smoothies to chutney
Orange Ginger Tempeh and Brown Rice Salad with Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette (vegan, GF if GF tempeh is used) – Oranges and ginger again and this time paired with tempeh and balsamic
Is fall on its way in your area? Are you happy about that or would you prefer summer awhile longer?
I really do love hot weather and I think that’s why I love Aruba so much. I’m basically on the Equator and don’t have to turn the hot water knob on to shower. The cold water coming out of the tap is warm enough.
So although I don’t really crave fall flavors when I’m here, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been perusing pumpkin recipes and am strategizing what I’m going to make first when I’m back in San Diego. Til then, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg are as fall-like as I’ve gone.
If you have any fall recipes you’re excited to try, I’d love to hear what you plan to make.
Link it up.
Thanks for the Flavor It 3-In-1 Beverage System Giveaway entries and have a great weekend!
Hi again–just wanted to let you know the smoothie was great! I had it this am and added some shredded coconut. This is a nice change up from my usual chocolate banana and whatever nut butter I happen to have combo!
Oh yay, glad you liked it and added some coconut – and changed up your usual routine!
My husband and I LOVE chai! So yum. Can’t wait to try this smoothie recipe! And I’m so jealous of your time in Aruba!
and if I had any chai spices on hand, would have used them or garam masala – yum!
We are such huge smoothie fans over here. Love, love them! THanks for all of these ideas!
oh wow that sounds amazing. i love fall spices like that! SO good!
Well you know I love summer and wish fall would never come, though I do look forward to roasting some fresh pumpkins to make a bunch of things. I thankfully no longer have school germs in my house, but I’m a bit of a germaphobe and always doing anything and everything I can to stay healthy. Garlic is THE BEST! I eat roasted garlic pretty much every night, so do my parents, and I swear it keeps us healthy. It’s not always my favorite thing to eat, but a clove or two is all that’s needed, and it works, so I eat it without complaint.
garlic is a natural anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and is great for staying healthy or fighting things off – I just wished I liked it. I HATE garlic. It’s just one of those things, cannot stand.
Mm citrus + spice sounds amazing.. just like fall. I love putting on a pot of tea with some orange rinds and cloves–this reminds me of a refreshing, summery version of that! And your glasses are too cute!
orange rinds + cloves — and don’t forget a cinnamon stick! Sounds so good right about now! :)
Hi Averie. I love the looks of this smoothie and the flavor combinations sound enticing and so fall like. I’m still in MN (been to Woodhill twice, FYI). I’m finally taking some “me” time to get on the computer and check in with my favorite blogs. We brought out some great weather with us. It’s 75 and absolutely beautiful. It’s so darn green out here and I know you understand what I’m saying being from California where everything is brown this time of year. I’m finally ready for fall and school to start so I can get back to a routine. My kids start next week ☺
I can’t wait for fall cooking. I have an heirloom tomato soup that I’m going to make batches and batches of to freeze for the winter. It’s so good and vegan as well. I’m also so excited to cook with squash and pumpkins again.
Talk soon!
Jackie
your style of cooking – I can totally see you being into fall soups and lentils and beans and sort of slow-ish cooked food like that which is savory, can’t wait to see what you make!
and being in MN this time of year, aside from the mosquitoes, this is the BEST time of year there. I have fond childhood memories :)
First of all, love the cute glasses! Second, I am so ready for fall. This has been one hot summer. This smoothie would be a great start to a new season. Thanks, Averie!
It was a $1 find here at an Aruba grocery store! But a bottle of Gatorade is $5 bucks. Go figure.
Looks so good, Averie! I know what you are saying about bananas…a MUST for smoothies. Last night, Simeon was making himself a shake with vanilla ice cream, chocolate chips and a bit of milk and wanted it extra thick. I said “Add a banana!” He was like, “and ruin a perfectly good milk shake?” Haha…boys. Little does he know that I throw a banana into like EVERY single smoothie I make him. What they don’t know, won’t hurt ’em! ;-)
I could use a trip to the Caribbean right about now. I’m ready for fall, though – I love jackets and sweaters and not sweating underground on my ride into work!
I’m still thinking about the plantains you made last month that were Aruba-inspired as I type this from my hot little workspace and should pick some up at the market today!
Just finished my long run and I couldn’t want something any more than that right now – maybe with a side of pretzels ;-)
Lol – yes I agree! I have another pretzel recipe coming probably next week. They’ve been a hit down here!
I love fall foods but don’t want summer to be over yet!
citrus and spice and everything nice – couldn’t help myself. soak up summer as long as you can!
I forgot to include that little rhyme – what was I thinking! :)
you. can’t. make. a. smoothie. without. frozen. bananas. LOVE that we agree on this one!
I’m welcoming fall lately too. I kinda am tired of this heat and want to run outside… comfortably! Plus, pumpkin + apple pie + THIS SMOOTHIE (omg) = the best food season ever!
The spices, the orange, the pineapple/tropical.. it’s like the perfect transitional smoothie. I love the pictures and have GOT to learn the whole rim/clean pouring thing. :) TGIF Averie!
the pumpkin and apple spice smoothies I made that I linked up were really good – the pumpkin one was dessert in a cup (but could be lightened up) and the apple spice one was like apple pie – I think you’d love it!
the clean rim – yes and once you mess up and spill, you better rewash the glass. You can’t even paper towel or kleenex-wipe it off. The smudges just LINGER!
August has been our coolest month all summer, and we’ve had a few “fall is in the air” days. I roasted some root veggies last weekend — so I guess I’m gearing up a little. Love the fruit and spice combo in this smoothe–a nice transition-to-autumn smoothie! I have everything for this right now–breakfast is served!
Oh well if you make it, LMK! And roasted root veggies sound delish to me. The funny thing about San Diego weather is normally in May and June when everyone is enjoying great weather, we have May Gray & June Gloom as it’s called and it’s downright COLD! Like wearing a sweatshirt and hoodie to run in b/c it’s in the 50s in the morning. That’s too cold for June for me!
i’m a smoothie addict and this one is going straight into my collection. I love citrus, its the perfect pick me up. Thanks again :)
LMK if you make it!