4th of July Layered Smoothie
I don’t know about y’all, but it’s hard for me to think about cooking in the middle of summer. When it is a sweltering 90° outside, the last thing you want to do is run your oven or stove—making the house even hotter! And, besides, summer is the time to eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. There’s nothing more refreshing than a smoothie for relaxing outdoors or sipping on the go.
So, here we go—a recipe that quenches your thirst, gives you that fresh fruit and veggie fix and – yes – will even bring out your down-home patriotic side.
I always use three base ingredients in my smoothies – cucumber (preferably Armenian), agave nectar, and plain Greek yogurt. The cucumbers add a hydrating aspect to the smoothie, the yogurt provides substance and the agave, of course, adds extra sweetness.
To begin gather all the tools necessary: a blender, pitcher, knife, cutting board, freezer (you can leave your freezer where it’s at—don’t actually try to move it), plenty of ice, and most importantly, a glass to taste-test each layer.
Blue Layer
1 cup ice (I find with my blender adding the ice first helps with the breakdown)
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup frozen blueberries
½ Armenian cucumber (peeled and chopped)
1 tsp agave – feel free to add more for desired sweetness!
Add all ingredients to your blender and pulse.
Note: You can use all fresh blueberries if you want. If so, you might want to add another ½ cup of ice for thickness.
Pour the blue layer into the pitcher filling it up a third of the way. Then, put it in the freezer to solidify while making the next layer.
Rinse blender.
White Layer
2 cups ice
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup loosely packed chopped Napa cabbage
½ Armenian cucumber (peeled and chopped)
¼ medium sized honeydew melon (peeled and chopped)
1 banana
1 tsp agave – feel free to add more for desired sweetness!
Add all ingredients to your blender and pulse.
Note: It’s hard to not add more honeydew, but try to refrain! Adding more will turn the layer a light green rather than keeping it white.
Pour the white layer on top the blue layer and place back in the freezer.
Rinse blender.
Red Layer
2 cups ice
1 medium sized beet (washed and chopped)
1 cup strawberries
1 cup raspberries
½ Armenian cucumber (peeled and chopped)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp agave – feel free to add more for desired sweetness!
Add all ingredients to your blender and pulse.
Note: If you are using frozen strawberries or raspberries, that second cup of ice may not be necessary.
Pour the red layer on top of the white and place back in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes.
Your 4th of July smoothie is almost ready. Garnish with fresh honeydew, white grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. Serve up and enjoy!
Share with friends and family.
Happy 4th of July!
Author: Dana M.
