This is a very wintery cranberry smoothie - and one of my favs. I love cranberries and oranges, so enjoying them together is a major bonus. This festive smoothie tastes delicious as well as contains ingredients to boost your urinary tract health and gut health too. It's also healthier than most cranberry smoothies because we've added iron-rich spinach (which you can't even taste!)
Where are cranberries grown?
Cranberries thrive in cooler temps. They're commonly grown in the Northeast United States, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and British Columbia. They grow on low-lying bushes in bogs that are flooded during the yearly harvest. While you'll only see fresh cranberries in the late fall and early winter, they are available year-round frozen. Cranberry bushes actually need the cool, dormant period of winter to produce a crop the following year.
Cranberry health benefits
If you're prone to urinary tract infections, then keep this cranberry smoothie in regular rotation as natural preventative care. Yet urinary tract health isn't the only thing cranberries can do!
Cranberries also:
- contain powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals - especially fiber, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, vitamin C, folate, and several B vitamins.
- contain over two dozen phytonutrients, mostly in their skin, so blend into a cranberry smoothie instead of a juice!
- improve digestion
- reduce bad cholesterol
- prevent gum disease
- boost the immune system
- are low in sugar and overall calories
- have anti-inflammatory properties
Cranberry Orange Smoothie recipe
I'm all about seasonal eating, and this smoothie ticks some great boxes! Winter brings cooler temps, and also cold + flu season. Cranberries and oranges are great natural flu fighters, and also have the most nutrients when picked fresh. This recipe also uses spinach as the leafy green, yet you can swap in any green of your choice. Bananas provide a bit of sweetness to balance out the tang of the cranberries. Yet they can be halved if you want to lower the sugar content.
Benefits of Fresh vs. Frozen Cranberries
Fresh or frozen cranberries both work fine in this recipe. If you use frozen cranberries, then they will help chill your smoothie. And freezing doesn't greatly affect the nutrient content of the fruit, though fresh will give you the most nutrients.
When you buy a bag for Thanksgiving dinner, add a few more to the cart and freeze them to use all year long.
How to boost your cranberry smoothie with protein
Most of our plant-powered smoothie recipes don't include any extras in them. That allows our community of smoothie drinkers to customize their smoothie to fit their lifestyle. If you'd like to turn this smoothie into a powerhouse breakfast, add 1 serving of plant based protein, like Protein Smoothie Boost, to give it an extra 10 grams of protein + healthy fat.
Holiday Cranberry Smoothie
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup cranberries
- 1 orange (peeled)
- ½ banana (frozen)
- 1 serving Protein Smoothie Boost (optional)
Instructions
- Place spinach and water in blender. Puree until smooth.
- Add fruit and blend again.
- Serve over ice if you want it colder.
Notes
- Use at least one frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold or serve over ice.
Nutrition (estimated)
More natural remedies this holiday season
Every winter I pull out all the natural remedies I have, to protect my whole family all season long. These remedies actually WORK, or I wouldn't waste my time with them. If you're looking to find some more natural ways to heal your body, check out this great list:
Tracy Zietlow
This is tasty, I actually changed it up a bit, and I used 2 antioxidant smoothie cubes and 2 vitamin c cubes, half of a banana and spinach with coconut water, oh and a scoop of protein powder. It’s yummy. I do usually have fresh cranberries but we like to just eat those by the handful!
Simple Green Smoothies
Delicious idea Tracy!
Susan
Day 7 smoothie challenge I switched to this smoothie. I love cranberries. It’s not too sweet n not too tart just the right balance. I did use a whole banana. Love this smoothie n cranberries so good for you❤️
Marie Schille
Really enjoyed this smoothie. I only had dried cranberries and it worked really well. My fruit was ripe so no sugar was necessary.
I used 2 small mandarine oranges.
Delicious!
Simple Green Smoothies
I'm so glad it tasted great with the dried cranberries— I like that idea!
Manpreet Bal
First time smoothie maker. Actually liked the recipe. Mine was little bland because I used 1 1/2 clementines instead of an orange and the banana was not ripe enough. Added a little bit of salt and freshly ground black pepper, all the ingredients came together. Definitely a keeper.
Erin
This was a little watery when I made it (I think my orange had a LOT of water in it), so I added in 2 scoops of Protein Smoothie Boost, and it blended up + thickened nicely. Good smoothie!
Lucy
I love this smoothie! I had it for breakfast so added whey protein powder, oats soaked overnight in almond milk and for my healthy fats I added 18g almonds. This made it super creamy and filling!
Nicole Cole
This one is interesting, I think cranberries will take some getting used to but it not bad.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Nicole,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this smoothie recipe. If it was too tart you can always add in some extra all natural sweeteners, like dates, honey, or maple syrup!
Jessica
My cranberry skins didn’t all blend so well, but i was surprised how good it was. Next fall I will for sure buy extra fresh cranberries to freeze for smoothies!!!
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Jessica,
If your cranberries didn't blend so well, I would try blending that first with your liquid and then add the other ingredients in.
Sam
Hi Jen
Can I use dried cranberries and how much,pls?
Thanks in advance, Sam
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Sam,
You can totally add some dried cranberries instead. I would probably add a couple teaspoons of water since they do not have any liquid in them.
Enjoy!
Derricka Williams
I saw that it's okay to use dried cranberries you advised a couple teaspoons of water but the recipe calls for 1 cup of water so if we are using dried do you suggest 1/2 Cup of cranberries and 2 tsp of water of 1 cup of water +2tsp pls advise!
Simple Green Smoothies
Yes I would add the 2 tsp of water in addition to the 1 cup of water. That way your smoothie is not too thick with the dried cranberries.
Dawn
While I was excited about the orange-cranberry combo, I was also a little hesitant about it being in smoothie form. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was! It was quite tart, and I considered adding some agave nectar or honey, but really didn't want to add the sugar and made it through just fine. haha I actually had cranberries and an orange leftover from Christmas, so this was a perfect way to use them up!
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Dawn,
I am so happy that you still gave this recipe a try and enjoyed it! Don't ever feel guilty about adding in some extra sweeteners. Sometimes the fruits we use are not fully ripe so they are not as sweet which will make your smoothie not as enjoyable. So feel free to add in some dates, honey, or maple syrup!
Kim Garrett
We loved this one! We added a tbsp of chia seeds and a scoop of vegan protein powder. It was great! My kids loved it too!
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Kim,
That sounds so delicious! Way to make it into a meal!!
Anette
Day 5. Made this with a small change. Couldn't find cranberries so I used "lingonberries" instead. So good! #simplegreensmoothies #simplegreensmoothies30daychallenge
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Anette,
That is a really great substitute! So glad you were able to make this smoothie work for you.
Jennifer
Love the ideas on how to boost or alter smoothie. Very helpful. The tang of cranberries, while tasty, doesn’t always set well with my belly so sometimes I do use one of the change up ideas! Thanks!
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks for sharing! That is why we love this challenge because you get to really know what works for you and what doesn’t.
Martianne Stanger
Not my favorite b/c I am not huge on cranberries nor orange, but still good to try new things and would be loved by others, I bet.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Martianne,
That is why we love this challenge because you get to really know what works for you and what doesn't.
Pamela LaBouve
Love The cranberries! This will definitely go into the permanent rotation 🙂
Sheera
I used raspberry instead since I couldn't find any cranberry. I like the slight tartness from the raspberry.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Sheera,
Love that substitute option. So awesome you made this smoothie work for you!
Elizabeth Nelson
This was my first time using cranberries in a smoothie, and I am now a huge fan. The orange and cranberry combo is a winner.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Elizabeth,
Thank you for sharing how much you loved this recipe!
Carmen Shrimplin
First time I ever use cranberries in my smoothies and I L O V E them now!!!!
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Carmen,
That is so awesome that you loved it so much! Cranberries for the win!!
Darlene
I love cranberries so I loved this smoothie. It was very tart and sweet at the same time.
Simple Green Smoothies
Yay for cranberries!!
Sue
Voted this one of the best, although I truly have liked all of them. I like the tartness of the cranberries. Great combination of fruits & spinach too!!
Monique G
This was the best one for the week!
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Monique,
Yay!!! So happy this was your favorite!
Bonnie Good
I liked the tartness of the cranberry!
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Bonnie,
I agree that is my favorite part about adding cranberries too 🙂
Terry
I was skeptical about this one because of the cranberries, but actually like it. It was tart, but not too tart.
Simple Green Smoothies
Hey Terry,
So happy that even though you were skeptical you still went for it and gave it a try! That is what this challenge is all about 🙂
Nicole
Great recipe! My favorite from Week 1 challenge that I made it again today! Kid and hubs approved