Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Warning: You are about to become addicted to the following recipe.  It’s not my fault.  Okay, maybe it is.

Therefore, we need to set a few things straight.

You cannot hold me responsible when your grocery bill spikes because you bought 10lbs of frozen cherries. 

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com

You may not yell at me for creating a recipe that uses chocolate in a good-for-you kind of way.

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com

Your significant other may yell at you when you tell him/her you’re making a love-filled Valentine’s Day smoothie only to find out that you immediately drank the entire thing straight from the blender.

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com

You are allowed to do a happy dance because this smoothie contains no bananas. I love bananas in smoothies but I know many don’t.

It will only be natural to wonder how you ever survived before this smoothie came into existence. 

You will quite possibly/most definitely want to slurp this down ever single day. 

You won’t even believe how well chocolate and cherry compliment each other and how much richness just a little bit of coconut milk can add.

I’m warning you…

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com

Print this!

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

gluten-free, vegan // yields 2 small or 1 large smoothie, ~20oz

  • 2 1/2 cups frozen cherries
  • 1/2 – 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or soy/rice/hemp
  • 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk, well whisked
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2-3 pitted medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in your blender starting with only 1/2 cup of almond milk.  Blend until creamy.  Add more milk for a thinner consistency.  Add extra dates for more sweetness.  I used 3 but would use 2 next time.

notes: Soak the dates in warm water for an 1-2 hours for easier blending [high powered blenders should work fine without soaking if the dates are tender]. The coconut milk adds richness but does not impart a coconut flavor.

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie | edibleperspective.com

This tastes like dessert but it’s definitely breakfast-able.  Or, anytime-able.

It’s basically the best smoothie ever.

Ashley

citrus sangria

Everyone always talks about going out for drinks on Thursday and Friday as the week is coming to an end.  But I say, what about drinks on Monday?

citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective

It seems like the exact perfect day for a drink.

Something to look forward to at the start of the week.  Something with a little zing.  Something to get you through the last weeks of winter, or the start of winter if you live in Colorado. 

citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective

This drink is light and refreshing with a definite burst of juicy citrus flavor.  Sure to brighten the Monday blues.

citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective

And the best part?

Eating the fruit cocktail at the bottom of your glass.

citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective

Print this!

Citrus Sangria

yields 2-4 servings

adapted from: Jessica’s Blood Orange Sangria

  • 1 bottle chardonnay
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 3 blood oranges
  • 1 cara-cara orange, or other orange
  • 1/2 ruby red grapefruit
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1 small apple
  • 1 small pear
  • sparkling water
  1. Pour the wine and brandy in a large pitcher.
  2. Juice 2 blood oranges, 1/2 grapefruit, and 1/2 lemon.  Juicing by hand works perfectly.
  3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and seeds, then pour into the pitcher.  Stir.
  4. Core and chop the apple and pear and place the pieces into the pitcher.
  5. Slice the remaining 2 oranges into halved segments and/or round slices and add to the pitcher.
  6. Stir and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Best if chilled for 4 hours before serving to allow flavors to fully develop.
  7. Pour each glass, add some of the fruit, and a good splash of sparkling water [about 2-3 tablespoons per serving, for 4 servings].

notes/subs: Recipe is easily doubled.  For a sweeter drink add 1/4 cup sparkling citrus juice in step 1, and reduce the splash of sparkling water by half.

Check Jessica’s recipe for a fun idea for rimming the glasses with sugar!

citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective

Can’t transport a pitcher of sangria to a friend’s house?

No problem.  Make the sangria ahead of time and pour into 12oz jars with a lid for each guest!

citrus sangria // edible perspective
citrus sangria // edible perspective

Hello, Monday.

You don’t look so bad after all.

Ashley