Thank you to Earthbound Farm for sponsoring this post. I am happy for the opportunity to share brands that I believe in with my readers, and I hope you enjoy my Balsamic Blueberry Smoothie Recipe. As always, opinions stated are my own.
This Balsamic Blueberry Smoothie Recipe is all about the blueberry flavor! A tiny bit of good-quality balsamic vinegar and a touch of sea salt pull out the natural sweetness of blueberries.
I’m the girl who eats soup in summer and ice cream in winter.
But maybe that’s not so strange…scientists say a hot drink on a hot day can cool you down and ice cream can warm up the body because of its caloric content.
However, smoothies are my year-round anomaly. I enjoy them just as much in the dead of January as I do in the blazing heat of July.
A lot of people use smoothies as a tool to get extra nutrition into a busy lifestyle, or to get picky eaters to eat more fruits and vegetables.
But in addition to their health benefits, I enjoy the beauty of a nutritious smoothie with a well-crafted flavor profile.
Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
A little bit of mint ads dimension here, but the surprise ingredient in this smoothie is a dash of super good-quality balsamic vinegar. It perks up the flavors and actually highlights the natural sweetness of blueberries, just like a touch of sea salt does.
Because really, this smoothie is all about the blueberry flavor!
Earthbound Farm Organic Frozen Blueberries + Fresh Spinach
Earthbound Farm Organic Frozen Blueberries are perfect here for two reasons: 1) I find them to be sweeter than most fresh or frozen blueberries, and 2) they’re already frozen so there’s no need to add ice to the smoothie. And bonus, you know you’re getting a quality product from farmers who care about their product, the environment and their farming practices.
There’s also a handful of Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach in there, but that’s just for the added nutritional oomph. You won’t be able to see or taste it in the final product.
Pro Tip: If seeing or tasting spinach in a smoothie doesn’t bother you, go ahead and add up to 1 ½ cups baby spinach – that’s how I like mine!
How to Sweeten a Smoothie
I like to start with less sweetener and then add more to taste. You can always add more, but you can't take it out. And if you add fruit, your smoothie might be sweet enough as-is without added sweetener.
If you do want to add sweetener, focus on using healthier, less-processed sweeteners to your smoothies.
Here are a few sweetener ideas for smoothies:
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Agave nectar
- Fruit
- Coconut milk (it's subtly sweet by itself!)
If Smoothies Are Your Thing, You Might Also Want to Try:
- Pina Colada Smoothie
- Healthy Paleo Friendly Snickers Smoothie
- Detox Green Smoothie
- Healthy Peanut Butter, Banana, and Honey Milkshake
- Paleo Chocolate Smoothie
- Strawberry and Cream Smoothie Bowl
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith
Balsamic Blueberry Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ cup Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach
- 1 ½ cups Earthbound Farm Organic Frozen Blueberries
- 1 sprig fresh mint leaves about 8 to 10 leaves
- ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar good-quality
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 teaspoon honey optional; more or less to taste
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender in the order listed (so the spinach is at the bottom), and blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Faith's Tips
- Taste the smoothie before adding any honey because you might find the smoothie sweet enough without it.
- Instead of water, almond "milk" is also delicious here.
- To bump up the protein, add 1 scoop of your favorite unflavored protein powder, ½ cup cottage cheese, or 1 to 2 pasteurized eggs.
Nutrition
This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on June 15, 2015. I updated it with more information on May 18, 2020.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me keep this site alive – thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!
Joanne says
I had no idea Earthbound Farm had a frozen fruit line! That's awesome. They're already my favorite for greens and I imagine I'll also love their frozen fruit! Especially in smoothie form. SLURP.
Rulouri exterioare says
Simple and very healthy!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
This is so creative, Faith! I love good balsamic vinegar so much I could almost sip it as a cocktail. :) So this smoothie looks just fantastic to me!
Vicki Bensinger says
Your smoothies is great for the brain and energy. I always have a little of both each day. Now I can double up on it in your luscious smoothie.
Julia says
Blueberries in smoothies are the best! I love the idea of adding balsamic vinegar to a smoothie! I bet it adds amazing flavor.
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
This sounds so refreshing! I love balsamic and blueberries together.
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I love the combination of blueberries and balsamic vinegar. I make a sweet sauce using that combination and pour it over peaches or strawberries - often with vanilla ice cream. The addition of mint is lovely - can't wait to try this the next time I feel a smoothie craving coming on!
Christine from Cook the Story says
With flavors this delicious and healthy produce available year 'round, why shouldn't we drink smoothies year round?! I'm all aboard that idea.
Christie says
I tend to love smoothies in the summer. We are going to be so hot this week that they will be a perfect way to cool off. I never thought to add balsamic. I adore that idea. Need to whip these up.
jenna @ just j.faye says
I'm totally on board with year round smoothies. I'm also totally on board with the mint and vinegar in this smoothie! It's such a great idea and I'm excited to try it out. I was at an olive oil store the other day and picked up some coconut balsamic and raspberry balsamic and I bet they would taste delicious in smoothies as well. Thanks for the inspiration!
Heather / girlichef says
Blueberry and mint sounds like such a perfect combination - this just screams hot weather to me. Plus, I'm so intrigued by the use of Balsamic vinegar!
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo says
Love to put blueberries and spinach in my smoothies. Usually I add some ginger to perk it up but now I'm going to try balsamic vinegar!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes like will cool you right down and freshen you up! How beautiful and the deep color is lovely! I adore putting frozen blueberries in smoothies! Not only do they make it SO sweet, but SO creamy too without anything else!