3 Protein-Packed Summer Smoothie Recipes
Hot weather calls for cold drinks, especially after a sweat sesh.
These three delicious, healthy smoothie recipes are perfect for refueling your protein and glycogen stores after a workout — without tasting like your typical chalky protein shake.
Each of these summer smoothie recipes tastes just as indulgent as dessert but packs the important nutrients you need post-exercise.
Fresh fruit helps you replace carbohydrates, plant-based protein hooks up your amino acids, and coconut milk adds a bit of healthy fat to keep you feeling satisfied for hours after your burn.
Want to get even more staying power from your smoothie? Toss in a tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseed for more fat and fiber, which will slow your digestion and keep that blood sugar steady.
Check em out! >>
1. Strawberry Mojito Muscle Mix
This Strawberry Mojito “mocktail” smoothie is so easy to make and absolutely refreshing. Mint adds a surprising flavor to the fruit mix and a cooling sensation for your parched palate.
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 handful mint
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- unsweetened coconut shreds (optional)
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Garnish with mint and coconut shreds.
2. Mocha Peanut Butter Power Smoothie
Working out in the early AM? Follow up your exercise with this energy-boosting blend. The shot of espresso in this Mocha Peanut Butter protein smoothie gives you just the jolt you need to kickstart your day.
- 1 shot espresso
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- cacao nibs
- unsweetened coconut shreds
- Mix all ingredients in a blender.
- Top with optional cacao nibs or coconut shreds.
3. Pineapple Upside Down Cake Shake
Have your cake and your cut bod with this healthy take on a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Added bonus — both pineapple and cherries may help ease muscle soreness after a hard workout!
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen cherries
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla soy milk
- unsweetened coconut shreds
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Garnish with cherries and coconut.
Note: these recipes all call for frozen fruit. You can either buy fruit that’s already frozen or buy it fresh and toss it in a ziplock for easy use. Fyi — frozen fruit is just as healthy as fresh fruit since producers freeze it at peak ripeness.
Weigh in: What’s your favorite summer smoothie recipe?
Kristen Chuber says:
Mocha Peanut Butter smoothie sounds amazing – I’ve made something similar before when I was craving that ‘java’ flavor. Why drink coffee and a smoothie when you can have them together???
Will definitely give Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Shake a try too – great for summertime.
Whitney English says:
My thinking exactly :)
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says:
Love all of these, but I’m definitely trying the mocha pb one after my workout today. Sounds amazing :)
Whitney English says:
Yeah girl! Let me know what you think! xo
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says:
All of these look amazing. So hard to choose! Thanks for sharing. xo Lauren
Whitney English says:
Don’t choose – just make them all ;) xoxo
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says:
Mocha pnb sounds delicious!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Deb! xo