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.
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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.
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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!
drinking this right now, and I’m in LOVE. it’s a really good way to ease myself into fall from the warm summer weather.
I added some greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, crystalized ginger, and a bit of oatmeal to make it more of a complete meal. thanks averie!
you’re the 2nd person who just mentioned crystallized ginger to me! I wish they sold it here. They don’t even sell dates and raisins are a small fortune$ but I bet the ginger and pumpkin is awesome…Thanks for LMK you made it!!
Ginger in a smoothie – great idea! Maybe some crystallized ginger too? I’m drinking a blueberry one right now – would benefit from the kick of ginger!
If I had any, I would use it. They don’t even have dates (medjool) here and raisins are a small fortune. Can only imagine the cost of crystallized ginger, if they even sold it. Gotta love TJs for things like that!
This smoothie looks perfect for fall and is making me look forward to fall a lot, great season here with fresh pumpkins and apples. In a way it’s already fall in my back yard since I have three full grown pumpkins in the garden already and ripe apples on the tree! :-)
congrats on your big pumpkins!
Sigh, I’m really dreading the fall… I hardly got to experience any summer this year! At least a smoothie like this would help to soften the blow. Love the combination of cinnamon and orange- It just hits all the right high notes. :)
You sound like you’ve worked through your summer. Hopefully you have some time to recharge before fall! All, what, 2 weeks before fall term starts?! ugh
Such a great shake ~ especially to compliment that beautiful Aruba lifestyle :)
It’s all about EASE down here. I wish you could come down here and we could cook & take pics together!
I’m loving the pumpkin pie spice here! I’m ready for fall.
So unique! Love this idea!
I used to be a crazy Summer loving gal. But now I’m all about Autumn. I love the weather when I can wear a cute dress and my boots-makes me a happy lady! This smoothie looks delightful and a great immune booster.
YUMM! This combo looks and sounds fantastic. I am excited to incorporate the Trader Joe’s Maple Sugar that I just purchased. I can not pass up maple, period. Haha.
Just about everyone loves smoothies and your recipes look excellent and I really like the vegan ones, excellent descriptions and clear colorful pics…Happy Friday :-)
clear pics and excellent descriptions are what I strive to provide!
What a great idea, to combine citrus and spice. I love it. I make “apple pie” smoothies all the time, but I’ve never thought to use similar spices with citrus. Nice!
It is going to be over 100 today; I’m totally in need of something like this to cool off!
I love that you used maple syrup here, perfect with those warming spices!
Thanks for reminding me about back-to-school, but no, my spirit is still in the summer vacation mode, even though school starts Monday… (sigh).
Surprisingly, yes, I do wait for fall as this is time when we can finally go outside and have some outdoor fun. I love summer so much that I never thought those words would come out of my mouth… :)
I also have a very high hope that fall will bring more vegetables to our area and I can make all my favorite meals…
What an interesting drink you’ve made, I shell give it a try: I am “learning” to like cinnamon…:)
cinnamon is so awesome – I adore it!
Oh joy! More smoothies- I’ve definitely been imbibing recently! The pix of Aruba are amazing…if you’d like to link up your favorite photos from any post to Photo Fridayblog hop at Ladies Holiday we’d love to see more!
Cheers!
Stunning pictures, Averie! I’m honestly SO ready for fall! I saw a girl wearing boots and a sweater earlier (which is NUTS because it’s 90 degrees here) and I got all longing to spices and falling leaves and all that autumn brings. This smoothie is on my weekend “making it” list.
If I was experiencing cooler weather I could probably envision boots and sweaters but it’s just so hot here I can’t imagine it right now! But nothing like fall clothes shopping!