Description
A vibrant and refreshing smoothie combining cranberries and hibiscus tea with banana and yogurt. Packed with antioxidants and nutrients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 4 cups water (for hibiscus tea)
- 1 ripe banana, frozen
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or vegan alternative)
- 1/4 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground ginger
- Optional: a few ice cubes, if needed for desired consistency
- Optional garnish: fresh cranberries, hibiscus flower petals
Instructions
- Boil the Water: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil.
- Infuse the Hibiscus: Once the water is boiling, add the 1/2 cup of dried hibiscus flowers. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the hibiscus steep for at least 15-20 minutes (or up to 30 minutes for a stronger flavor).
- Strain the Tea: After steeping, carefully strain the hibiscus tea through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the flowers. Discard the spent hibiscus flowers.
- Cool the Tea: Allow the hibiscus tea to cool completely. You can speed up this process by placing it in the refrigerator.
- Combine Ingredients: In your blender, combine the frozen cranberries, frozen banana, Greek yogurt (or vegan alternative), almond milk, chia seeds, honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, and ginger.
- Add Hibiscus Tea: Pour in 1 cup of the cooled hibiscus tea concentrate. Start with this amount and add more if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid on your blender and blend on high speed until the smoothie is completely smooth and creamy. This may take a minute or two, depending on the power of your blender. If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more hibiscus tea or almond milk until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s not cold enough, add a few ice cubes and blend again.
- Taste and Adjust: Once the smoothie is blended, taste it and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add more honey or maple syrup. If you want a more tart flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a few more cranberries.
- Pour into a Glass: Carefully pour the smoothie into your favorite glass.
- Garnish (Optional): If desired, garnish the smoothie with a few fresh cranberries and hibiscus flower petals. You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the smoothie immediately and enjoy! It’s best to drink it right away, as it may thicken over time.
Notes
- For a vegan option, use vegan yogurt alternative and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup to your liking.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add more hibiscus tea or almond milk. If it’s too thin, add more frozen fruit or ice cubes.
- The hibiscus tea concentrate can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Experiment with different fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, mango, or pineapple.
- Add a handful of spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
- Boost the protein by adding a scoop of protein powder.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes