Strawberry smoothie recipe

Queen of berries

The strawberry is one of the most quintessential British ingredients of the summer, conjuring up decadent images of Victoria sponge cakes, afternoon tea and vibrant bowls of red berries slathered in cream at Wimbledon. However, the fruit’s history is actually far more international than you might have realised.

While there are species of strawberry that grow wild in the UK, these tend to be smaller and less sweet than the modern varieties we know and love. In the mid-18th century, horticulturists crossbred sweeter Virginia strawberries from North America with larger Chilean strawberries that were brought back to Europe by a French spy following an assignment in South America.(1)

This experimentation continued throughout the 19th century as the fruit became ever more popular in England. It eventually led to the kinds that you’ll find in the shops today – which are perfect for our strawberry smoothie recipe!

To enjoy them at their best, look for fresh strawberries that are plump, firm, and deep red in colour, because they don’t ripen any further once they’ve been picked. If they are white or green at the top, they might taste a little bit too tart.

Be sure to store your strawberries in the fridge in their original container to extend their shelf life. Alternatively, you can buy frozen varieties so that they last longer with no need to worry about a loss of flavour or nutritional value.

A rose by any other name…

Strawberries are members of the rose family, and despite the name, they’re technically not true berries. This is because berries have their seeds on the inside, whereas a strawberry, on the other hand, has its seeds on the outside.

This is where it gets even more interesting though, because those little specks that we think of as seeds are actually what’s known as achenes – tiny fruits with a seed inside. As such, a strawberry is classified botanically as an ‘accessory fruit’ that acts as a receptacle for all those other tiny fruits.

Pretty in pink: the strawberry smoothie recipe

As the popularity of strawberries grew and grew, chefs and bakers devised all sorts of innovative ways to enjoy them (and continue to do so!). From cakes and tarts to pancakes, mousse and ice cream, you can utilise this versatile fruit in an endless variety of dishes – including, of course, the much-loved strawberry smoothie recipe.

The invention of the blender and development of the health food movement propelled smoothies to fame in the 1960s and 70s, and strawberries have been a key ingredient in the drinks ever since. Not only are they delicious and readily available, but strawberries are also rich in nutrients. Opting for a strawberry smoothie recipe gives the drink a refreshing burst of sweetness, plus results in a beautiful pink colour that makes it extra appetising.

Alongside the strawberries themselves, as this is a strawberry smoothie recipe without yogurt, we’ve added banana to give it extra creaminess and body. In addition, we’ve included a handful of blackberries for their vibrant purple colour, tangy sweetness, and a further dose of vitamins. The aronia shot is also fantastic for this, but we’ll come on to that later!

You’ll notice that the recipe also calls for sweetened oat milk. However, you can substitute this for another form of plant-based milk if you prefer. Alternatively, you could try making this strawberry smoothie recipe with yogurt instead of milk for a thicker and more creamy drink.

As a special treat, our strawberry smoothie recipe also includes just under a tablespoon of peanut butter. This is a great way to add more depth of flavour, as well as protein and healthy fats. Of course, feel free to experiment with other types of nut butter such as almond or cashew, and see which combination you like best.  

The health benefits of strawberries

The humble strawberry has far more to offer us than simply an attractive colour, pleasant scent and scrumptious taste (as if these weren’t enough!). It also provides a whole wealth of health benefits that make this strawberry and aronia smoothie recipe as nutritious as it is delicious!

For example, strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which plays a vital role in the body’s immune system and helps wounds to heal more quickly.(2) In fact, one portion contains more vitamin C than an orange! Other key nutrients contained in these dietary powerhouses include potassium, folate, polyphenols and manganese.

Strawberries are also high in antioxidants and anthocyanins, which help to fight against chemicals called free radicals that can damage our cells. Incidentally, anthocyanins are what give strawberries their vivid red colour.

Moreover, due to the fact that they’re high in fibre, low in calories, and have a low glycaemic index (GI), strawberries can be beneficial for healthy weight management. Low GI foods release their energy more slowly, meaning they won’t spike your blood sugar levels.

Studies also suggest that eating strawberries can help to keep your heart healthy.(3) Berry consumption is linked with numerous cardiovascular benefits, including improved cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. This is key because it can in turn reduce the risk of harmful conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

Another really interesting benefit of tucking into strawberries is that it’s good for your brain. Findings indicate that eating berries regularly can support cognitive functions such as learning and memory, plus slow down cognitive decline as we age.(4)  So, as you whizz up our strawberry smoothie recipe, you can feel confident that you’re doing something positive for both your body and your mind!

A twist on a classic strawberry smoothie recipe

The strawberry smoothie recipe has been around for so long, it would be impossible to improve on it, right? Not so fast! Here at Erbology, we love to put a fresh twist on our favourite classics.

For instance, the inclusion of blackberries and nut butter in the traditional strawberry and banana base is a brilliant way to get a greater depth of flavour. However, the real star addition to this strawberry smoothie recipe is the aronia.

Aronia shots are bursting with a zesty berry flavour reminiscent of blueberry, cranberry and pomegranate, bringing a refreshing tangy note to this strawberry smoothie recipe. They also have an intense dark purple colour that combines beautifully with the pink of the blended strawberry mixture for a fabulously photogenic drink.

Adding a splash of a tonic such as aronia to your strawberry smoothie recipe is a fantastic – and easy – way to ensure that it really packs a punch in terms of nutrients.

Also known as chokeberries because of their bitter, mouth-drying taste when they’re eaten fresh, aronia berries are rich in anthocyanins. These help to protect your body from cell damage and premature ageing. As such, this aronia smoothie recipe is a wonderful choice if you want to keep your heart healthy and your skin clear and glowing.

In addition to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, some studies have suggested that aronia berries may also have cancer-fighting properties.(5) Furthermore, the high levels of vitamin C it contains give aronia the same immune system-boosting powers as strawberries. Unfortunately, aronia berries are a far less common sight in supermarkets compared to strawberries – so getting them as a juice shot is a simple way to include them in your diet.

All about our aronia berry shot

Aronia berries are small, round and dark blue-black, making them fairly similar in appearance to a blueberry. Native to North America, the farmers now grow them in various countries around the world.

We source our aronia sustainably from small, independent organic farms in Eastern Europe, where this superstar ingredient has been used to support wellbeing for generations. At harvest time, our farmers handpick the berries with care and then freeze them to make sure that they stay fresh without the use of any preservatives.

To make our Erbology Organic Aronia Shots, the berries are cold-pressed and the juice gently pasteurised. We leave it unsweetened and undiluted to ensure that our shots retain all of the aronia’s valuable nutrients and give you the maximum health benefits. We ship them out in environmentally friendly glass bottles, which you can reuse or recycle after you’ve enjoyed your juice. Just one more reason to feel good about adding them to your smoothie!

As well as using these shots in this aronia smoothie recipe, you can drink them neat for an instant vitamin boost when you’re busy or on the go. Alternatively, try mixing them with juice or water, adding a dash to your salad dressing, or stirring one into your breakfast bowl for a splash of colour and rich berry flavour. If you enjoy baking, you could even include a shot in a cake or ice cream mix. They can also make a fantastic addition to a cocktail or mocktail!

Aronia’s fresh and fruity taste goes with all sorts of different dishes, so don’t be afraid to experiment with other interesting ways to incorporate this delectable and nutritious ingredient into your diet! Just remember to pop the shot into the fridge once you've opened it, and consume it within 24 hours.

How to enjoy our strawberry smoothie recipe

This delicious and colourful smoothie is suitable for drinking at any time of day, but we particularly like it as a refreshing way to start your morning. Not only is it naturally sweet, it’s perfect for making sure you kickstart your day with a healthy dose of nutrients.

Another fantastic option is to swap your fresh strawberries for frozen ones, add some ice to your blender when making your smoothie, or serve it in a glass with ice cubes. This makes for an especially refreshing drink when you want to cool down after a workout or on a hot day.

One great tip to remember when preparing your strawberries is to hull them, not simply slice the whole top off. By carefully cutting out the white core and green stem you’ll preserve more of the fruit to use in your smoothie (or enjoy any other way), thereby minimising food wastage.

There’s also plenty of opportunity to adjust this strawberry smoothie recipe to suit your personal tastes. For instance, we’ve included the juice from half a lemon as a way to bring all the flavours together and add a lively hint of citrus, but you could substitute this for a few squeezes of lime instead.

Likewise, you can be flexible with the amount of raw honey or agave nectar you add, depending on how sweet you want your drink to be. Cutting down makes the smoothie a little fresher for first thing in the morning, whereas by increasing the amount you use, you can turn it into a perfect alternative dessert.

However you like to enjoy yours, this yummy and easy-to-make strawberry smoothie recipe is a sweet and refreshing twist on an old favourite that should definitely be in your smoothie repertoire!