Three Smoothies Worth Getting Out the Blender For

A good smoothie needs a little balance: fruit for flavor, something creamy, enough liquid to blend, and a protein source if it is standing in for breakfast. These three combinations keep the pleasure of a colorful glass without requiring a shelf of add-ins.

Get the texture right first

Put the liquid into the blender before the softer ingredients, then add frozen fruit and ice according to your machine's instructions. Start with the recipe's amount of liquid and add a little more only as needed. A thick smoothie can usually be loosened; a watery one is harder to bring back.

Taste before sweetening

Fruit varies. A ripe banana or a particularly sweet pineapple may make added honey unnecessary. Blend, taste, and adjust at the end. For a colder, thicker glass, frozen fruit is useful; for something easier to sip, use more chilled liquid and less ice.

Decide what the glass is doing

A small fruit smoothie can be a snack. If it is the whole breakfast, consider whether the recipe gives you enough food and a meaningful protein source for your morning. You can also serve a smaller glass beside toast or another familiar breakfast. There is no need for every smoothie to become a complete meal in a cup.

Rinse the blender promptly after pouring and follow its cleaning instructions. A routine that includes the washing-up is a routine you are more likely to repeat.

Green Tea, Blueberry, and Banana

• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 green tea bag
• 2 teaspoons honey, optional
• 1½ cups frozen blueberries
• ½ medium banana
• ¾ cup almond milk

Heat the water, steep the tea bag, remove it, and let the tea cool. Blend with the remaining ingredients, adding a little more milk if needed. For a more substantial breakfast, add plain yogurt or another protein-containing ingredient. Green tea contains caffeine, so choose the timing accordingly.

Pineapple Passion

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 6 ice cubes
• 1 cup pineapple
• ¼ cup kale
• ¼ cup strawberries

Blend until smooth, adding a splash of water if the mixture is too thick. Ripe pineapple may provide all the sweetness you want.

Green Elvis

• 1 scoop whey protein, using the product's serving directions
• ½ banana
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1¼ cups unsweetened coconut beverage
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds, soaked overnight in enough liquid to form a loose gel

Blend everything until creamy. Use the drinkable coconut beverage rather than thick canned coconut milk; adjust liquid to taste.

Wash produce, follow frozen-fruit package directions, and use clean equipment. These recipes contain common allergens; substitute ingredients to suit your needs. Bee pollen and spirulina are optional ingredients, not essentials for a worthwhile smoothie. Often the simplest version is the one you will make again.