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Vibrant Cranberry Juice Smoothie

This Cranberry Juice Smoothie is the perfect balance of sweet and tart cranberry flavor, and chock-full of antioxidants and nutrients. Whether you want a cold and refreshing smoothie or a balanced post-workout nutrition option, this cranberry smoothie is it.

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I grew up with a sweet tooth, as I’m sure most kids do. Now, as a mom, my taste buds have gradually shifted to more savory.

If anything is too sweet now, I can’t take much of it. Especially a drink or smoothie.

I don’t love overly sweet drinks, and this cranberry juice smoothie is definitely not that. As a dietitian, I also try to limit overly sweet beverages for my kiddos.

However, if you want healthy and sweeter smoothies, make sure to try this mint chocolate black bean smoothie or this toddler carrot banana smoothie.

If you searched for a smoothie with cranberry juice, I’m guessing you must like a little tartness.

The tartness in this cranberry juice smoothie is balanced by some sweetness (you can always add more!) and some protein, to help spike your blood sugar.

This cranberry smoothie with cottage cheese is a keeper.

Pomegranate juice smoothie with cranberries and cacao nibs

You can always make it sweeter (if you desire), but this smoothie with pomegranate juice and cranberry juice is not meant to be super sweet.

It’s great for UTIs (they were such a pain during pregnancy!), high in antioxidants, and a hydrating option if you want something more balanced.

Plus, there’s ample protein in there too, so it won’t spike your blood sugar.

My kids won’t drink cranberry juice on its own – it has to be a fruit smoothie with cranberry juice to hide some of the tartness.

Pink smoothie with cranberry juice and pomegranate juice surrounded by cranberries and ingredients

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Juice Smoothie

  • Refreshingly balanced – This beautiful pink smoothie is the perfect combination of sweet and sour or tart. Cranberry juice and pomegranate juice make a great combination, plus a little honey for some sweetness.
  • High in protein – Don’t let this cranberry pomegranate juice smoothie fool you – this smoothie is a good source of protein, thanks to the cottage cheese. A 1-cup serving of cottage cheese contains about 25 grams of protein.
  • Vibrant Pink Color – We eat with our eyes, don’t we? This vibrant color smoothie with cranberry juice is a nice balance of tart and sweet, and full of antioxidants.
  • High in antioxidants – 100% pomegranate juice is chock-full of antioxidants called polyphenols, and so this pomegranate juice smoothie is a great way to get more in your diet. Pomegranate juice is also a good source of potassium – there are about 400 mg in 8 oz of 100% pomegranate juice. Pomegranate juice and cranberry juice both offer Vitamin C, making this smoothie with cranberry juice a star Vitamin C beverage, providing over one third of your daily recommendation.
  • Great use for leftover cranberries – We seem to only buy cranberries during the Thanksgiving season (love to make my healthy cranberry strawberry jam), so this cranberry smoothie recipe is a great way to use any leftover cranberries!
  • Can help Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) – This 2021 research study concluded that supplementing cranberry may be beneficial in preventing and treating UTI’s in susceptible populations, specifically women who have recurrent UTI’s.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this smoothie!

  • cranberry juice – Aim for 100% plain unsweetened cranberry juice, which is a great source of Vitamin C. When cranberry is mixed with other fruit juice blends, they usually have added sugars. However, if you do want your cranberry juice smoothie sweeter, choosing a blend may work for you.
  • pomegranate juice – This is a favorite in our house! It’s very high in antioxidants and polyphenols, so it’s great for your immune system, and we drink a lot during cold and flu season.
  • cranberries – fresh cranberries or frozen both work – whatever you can find at your grocery store. You don’t need to cut them – you can throw whole cranberries in your blender.
  • honey – You could also use maple syrup, agave or any added sweeteners you prefer. I would not recommend skipping the sweetener unless you like a tart smoothie!
  • cottage cheese or greek yogurt – I’ve used both successfully. If you don’t enjoy the texture of cottage cheese, it does get blended in so you won’t even know it’s there. Dairy-free yogurt also works.
  • ice, optional – Use less ice if you’re using more frozen fruit, and/or if you like your smoothies thicker.
Cranberry juice honey and frozen cranberries display for cranberry juice smoothie

How to Make A Smoothie with Cranberry Juice

Just blend everything together in a high speed blender. You can play around with the liquid/ice ratio as well.

You may choose to add (more) ice, depending on whether you’re using fresh or frozen fruit, and how thick you like your smoothies.

I usually end up adding another 1/4 cup of liquid (either water, milk or coconut water), so you can do as you please!

Blender with fresh cranberries and juice inside to make a cranberry juice smoothie.
Blender with a fresh homemade cranberry juice smoothie inside.

This smoothie only makes one serving, but it’s easy to double or even triple, or store as smoothie ice cubes for the future (see below).

Pink smoothies with cranberry juice, topped with cranberries and cocoa nibs

Smoothie Tips

  • If the idea of cottage cheese in a smoothie is not for you, go with greek yogurt!
  • If you want more sweetness, you can opt for vanilla greek yogurt, and/or add more honey.
  • To make two smoothies, simply double the recipe.
  • To add more protein, consider adding your favorite collagen or protein powder. I would recommend unflavored or vanilla.
  • To make a vegan smoothie with cranberry juice, opt for maple syrup and a plant-based yogurt.
  • You can swap the 1/4 cup water with milk, or more pomegranate juice.
  • Some fun topping ideas include cocoa nibs, hemp seeds, granola or whipped cream!
  • If you have leftovers or you want to save for later, you can pour into an ice tray to save as “smoothie cubes.” When ready to use them, remove them from the freezer and put into your smoothie as a flavor enhancer!
Pink cranberry juice smoothie mix in ice cube tray

TRY some of these other DELICIOUS SMOOTHIES!

Yield: 1 smoothie

Antioxidant Cranberry Juice Smoothie

Pink smoothies with cranberries and cacao nibs

This Cranberry Juice Smoothie is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and chock-full of antioxidants and nutrients. Whether you want a cold and refreshing smoothie or a balanced post-workout nutrition option, this cranberry and pomegranate juice smoothie is it.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup 100% cranberry juice
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1/4 cup frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese or greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp honey or sweetener, to taste
  • 1 cup of ice, or as much to get your desired texture

Instructions

  1. Blend all ingredients into a high speed blender until reaches desired consistency.

Notes

For more sweetness, add more sweetener or use vanilla greek yogurt.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 456Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 1007mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 3gSugar: 52gProtein: 47g

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