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.)
Smoothies are my anomaly though; 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 either 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 (Alyssa and I developed a whole line of artisanal smoothies around this concept!).
This smoothie is all about the blueberry flavor. 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.
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. 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 (but if seeing or tasting it doesn’t bother you, go ahead and add up to 1 1/2 cups baby spinach – that’s how I like mine!).
No matter what your reason for integrating smoothies into your lifestyle, you’ll want to try this one! I can’t think of a more energizing way to start the day.
- ½ cup (15 g) Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach
- 1½ cups (210 g) Earthbound Farm Organic Frozen Blueberries
- 1 sprig fresh mint leaves (about 8 to 10 leaves)
- ½ teaspoon good-quality balsamic vinegar
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional; more or less to taste)
- ¾ cup (180 ml) water
- Add all ingredients to a blender in the order listed (so the spinach is at the bottom), and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
Disclosure: I received the Earthbound Farm products that I used in this recipe for free, and I also received compensation for this post. I am happy for the opportunity to share brands that I believe in with my readers, and I hope you enjoy my recipe. As always, opinions stated are my own.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
June 15, 2015 at 7:46 amYes 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!
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo says
June 15, 2015 at 7:53 amLove 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!
Heather / girlichef says
June 15, 2015 at 7:59 amBlueberry 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!
jenna @ just j.faye says
June 15, 2015 at 8:10 amI’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!
Christie says
June 15, 2015 at 8:35 amI 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.
Christine from Cook the Story says
June 15, 2015 at 9:42 amWith flavors this delicious and healthy produce available year ’round, why shouldn’t we drink smoothies year round?! I’m all aboard that idea.
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
June 15, 2015 at 9:52 amI 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!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
June 15, 2015 at 1:41 pmThis sounds so refreshing! I love balsamic and blueberries together.
Julia says
June 15, 2015 at 3:38 pmBlueberries in smoothies are the best! I love the idea of adding balsamic vinegar to a smoothie! I bet it adds amazing flavor.
Vicki Bensinger says
June 16, 2015 at 9:12 amYour 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.
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
June 16, 2015 at 8:44 pmThis 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!
Rulouri exterioare says
June 18, 2015 at 10:47 amSimple and very healthy!
Joanne says
June 18, 2015 at 8:03 pmI 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.