Christmas Smoothie with Cranberry and Orange
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This Christmas smoothie is cold, fruity and made with ingredients that already feel right at home in December: cranberries, orange and fresh ginger. Banana and Greek yogurt soften the sharpness of the cranberries, and white cranberry juice keeps everything easy to blend.
It takes about 5 minutes and makes 2 generous glasses, so it’s a nice choice for Christmas morning, brunch or a quick snack between all the richer holiday food. The pink-red color comes naturally from the cranberries, and the whole orange gives it a fresh citrus flavor that’s more delicious than just pouring in more juice.
Christmas Smoothie at a Glance
- Total time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 2
- Main ingredients: Cranberries, orange, banana, yogurt and white cranberry juice
- Best method: Blender
- Storage: Refrigerate promptly and use within 24 hours
Why You’ll Love Festive Cranberry Smoothies
- Christmas smoothies take about 5 minutes from start to finish (which is handy when you’re juggling all your Christmas prep and festive recipes for the day!)
- The cranberry color looks festive without having to use any food coloring.
- You can make it dairy-free or vegan with straightforward ingredient changes.
- Using frozen fruit ensures the drink’s cold straight from the blender so you don’t need lots of ice.
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen cranberries: These give the smoothie its tart cranberry flavor and help keep it cold. Use unsweetened whole cranberries. Frozen cranberries are widely available during the holidays.
- Orange: Peel a large orange and use the segments. The whole fruit gives the drink fresh citrus flavor and more pulp than orange juice alone.
- Banana: Use a ripe banana and freeze it in chunks first. A riper banana gives the drink more sweetness. I usually always have a few frozen bananas in the freezer and throw them into smoothies, homemade ice cream and more.
- Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt makes the smoothie thicker. Dairy-free yogurt works too.
- White cranberry juice: I recommend that you check the label because sweetness varies between brands and products.
- Honey: I prefer to start with a small amount. Cranberries can be very tart. Taste after blending before adding more.
- Fresh ginger: I used a microplane to grate it finely so it would blend evenly through the smoothie. Feel free to reduce the amount if you only want a mild ginger flavor.
- Chia seeds: These blend straight into the smoothie and make it a little thicker.
How to Make a Christmas Smoothie
Add the white cranberry juice and yogurt to the blender first, then add the cranberries, banana, orange and ice. Add the honey, grated ginger and chia seeds, and then blend until everything is completely combined. If the blender is struggling or the drink is thicker than you want, pour in a little more white cranberry juice and blend again. Serve, sip and enjoy, either as it is, with a Christmas salad or with some Christmas cookies!
Why It Works for Christmas
Cranberries and orange already belong comfortably in winter cuisine, and fresh ginger adds another seasonal flavor. The cranberry color also makes it look Christmassy without adding food coloring or making separate layers. Serve it with breakfast or brunch on Christmas morning or whenever something cool and refreshing is calling your name!
Substitutions and Variations
- Dairy-free: Use dairy-free yogurt in place of Greek yogurt.
- Vegan: Try plant-based yogurt and maple syrup in place of the Greek yogurt and honey.
- Sweeter: Blend in another 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10ml) of honey or maple syrup. I recommend doing this after you’ve tasted the blended drink.
- Thinner: Add more white cranberry juice a tablespoon (15ml) at a time.
- Thicker: Add a little more frozen banana or a few extra ice cubes.
- More ginger: Increase the fresh ginger to ¾ to 1 teaspoon (3.75 to 5ml).
- Cranberry pineapple: Replace half the banana with frozen pineapple.
- Strawberry cranberry: Replace half the cranberries with frozen strawberries.
- Protein smoothie: Add a scoop of your preferred protein powder, then add a little more white cranberry juice if needed.
Equipment
- High-powered blender: The best choice is a blender with a large pitcher and settings designed for smoothies and ice crushing.
- Fine grater or zester: A good grater works well for the small amount of fresh ginger.
- Measuring cups and spoons: You need both cups and spoons for the liquid and smaller measured ingredients.
- Paring knife: A small knife is good for preparing the orange and cutting the banana into chunks.
- 12-ounce glass mugs: Handled glass mugs are ideal for serving the smoothies.
How to Store
This smoothie is best straight after blending. If you have some left, transfer it to a covered container and refrigerate it promptly at 40°F (4°C) or below. Use it within 24 hours and stir or shake it before drinking because some separation is normal.
Don’t freeze the finished smoothie if you want the best texture. For make-ahead prep, freeze the cranberries and banana together in individual portions, then add the remaining ingredients when you’re ready to blend.
Christmas Smoothie FAQs
Yes. Cranberries are sharp and tart, while orange adds sweeter citrus flavor. Banana, yogurt and honey also mellow the cranberries in this recipe.
Yes. Use the same 1 cup (100g). When I tried this way, I added a little extra ice because frozen cranberries help chill and thicken the smoothie.
Yes. Start with about ½ cup (120ml) orange juice and adjust the liquid if needed. A whole orange gives the smoothie more fiber and a fresher orange flavor but you can use bottled juice if that’s what you have.
Cranberries are naturally tart and the sweetness of white cranberry juice varies by brand. Blend in extra honey 1 teaspoon (5ml) at a time until it tastes right to you.
Sure. The smoothie will still blend normally, although it won’t be quite as thick.
Christmas Smoothie with Cranberry and Orange
Ingredients
- 1 cup (about 100g) frozen cranberries
- 1 large orange, peeled and segmented
- 1 ripe banana, frozen and cut into chunks
- ½ cup (120ml) Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
- ¾ cup (180ml) white cranberry juice, plus more if needed
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) chia seeds
- ½ cup (120ml) ice cubes
- Orange slice and a few fresh cranberries, optional, for garnish
Equipment
- 2 serving glasses 12-ounce (355ml)
- High-powered blender
- Fine grater or zester
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Paring knife
Method
- Pour the white cranberry juice into the blender and add the yogurt. Add the frozen cranberries, frozen banana, orange segments and ice.
- Grate the ginger and add that along with the honey and chia seeds.
- Blend on high for 60 to 90 seconds, or until completely combined. If the smoothie is too thick, add a small splash of white cranberry juice and blend again.
- Divide between 2 glasses and serve immediately. Add an orange slice and a few fresh cranberries for garnish if you like.
Notes
- Use a ripe frozen banana for the best sweetness and texture.
- White cranberry juice varies in sweetness, so taste the smoothie before adding extra honey.
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly at 40°F (4°C) or below and use within 24 hours.
- Stir or shake before drinking if the smoothie separates.
A Fruity Drink for Christmas Morning
This is a great recipe to keep in mind when you have cranberries in the freezer and want something quicker than baking with them. The orange and banana take the edge off the cranberries, while fresh ginger gives it a wintry flavor. Taste it once it’s blended, then adjust the sweetness or thickness only if it needs it.
Other Smoothie Recipes
More quick fruit smoothies you may want to try are my fruity strawberry apple smoothie, sweet peach smoothie and this watermelon smoothie.
