Start your day with a Tropical Sunrise OJ Smoothie, a creamy, citrus-infused drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! This layered smoothie combines the tangy sweetness of freshly squeezed orange juice and raspberries with the smooth, velvety texture of avocado, banana, and Greek yogurt.
Sunrise OJ Smoothie is the perfect breakfast or post-workout refresher. In addition to Vitamin C, it’s packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Plus, the stunning red-to-orange gradient makes it an absolute showstopper!
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Celebrate National Vitamin C Day with a Sunrise in a Glass
April 4 is National Vitamin C Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a glass full of sunshine! This Tropical Sunrise OJ Smoothie is bursting with immune-boosting vitamin C, thanks to the fresh orange juice and vibrant raspberries.
Just one serving delivers a powerful punch of antioxidants to help support your skin, immunity, and overall wellness. Plus, the layered sunrise effect makes it as beautiful as it is beneficial.
This recipe was inspired by and modified from a version found on FloridaJuice.com, a site showcasing the many ways to enjoy Florida-grown citrus’s bright, refreshing flavor. The result? A vitamin-rich, refreshing smoothie perfect for any time you need a vibrant pick-me-up.
Ingredients – Here’s What You’ll Need
- Red Raspberry Burst Layer: I started with fresh raspberries, which I froze, and added orange juice, honey, and crushed ice.
- Creamy Citrus Layer: The main ingredient for the orange juice smoothie was—you guessed it—orange juice. I opted for freshly squeezed juice for the freshest taste. To round out the orange juice, I added frozen sliced bananas, avocado, unsweetened almond milk, plain Greek yogurt, vanilla protein powder, and crushed ice.
Making the Red Raspberry Burst Layer
- I started by adding frozen raspberries, orange juice, honey, and ice to my blender.
- After securing the top, I processed the ingredients on high for about a minute.
- One drawback of using raspberries was the seeds. Not a problem. I poured the raspberry mixture into a wire mesh strainer set over a mixing cup. Then, using a spoon, I forced the mixture through the strainer, leaving behind the seeds.
- I divided the de-seeded raspberry mixture between two 12-ounce glasses and placed them in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to let the raspberry layer firm up.
Making the Sunrise OJ Smoothie
While the raspberry layer was chilling, I made the Creamy Citrus layer.
- First, I added frozen banana slices, avocado, orange juice, almond milk, Greek yogurt, protein powder, and crushed ice to the blender, which I had rinsed out.
- After securing the top, I processed the ingredients on high for about a minute.
- I removed the glasses with the raspberry layer from the refrigerator and carefully divided the creamy citrus mixture between the two glasses. As I poured the mixture, the bottom layer was somewhat pushed up.
- I placed a slice of orange on the rim of each of the glasses and added a straw.
This Tropical Sunrise OJ Smoothie is a nutrient-packed, deliciously creamy drink that brings a little sunshine to your morning!
Whether you’re looking for a healthy breakfast smoothie, a post-workout snack, or a refreshing citrus treat, this layered beauty delivers. Try it today, and let the flavors transport you to a tropical paradise! Yum!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you prefer, substitute oat milk, coconut milk, or regular dairy milk for the almond milk, based on your preference.
Avocado adds creaminess to the smoothie without overpowering the orange flavors. To minimize the impact on color, avoid using the green part of the avocado.
Refrigerate the glasses with the bottom layer for 10 to 15 minutes before adding the top layer. This helps to thicken the bottom layer. Also, carefully pour the top layer down the side of the glass to help minimize the mixing.
If you prefer, substitute frozen pineapple for the bananas for a more tropical flavor.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- If you can’t find frozen raspberries, freeze your own. After washing and drying the raspberries, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with nonstick aluminum foil. In addition, place the sliced bananas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with nonstick aluminum foil before freezing. The nonstick aluminum foil makes it easy to remove the frozen fruit.
- It’s important, at least for me, to remove the raspberry seeds from the red raspberry burst mixture. This is easily done by pouring the mixture into a wire mesh strainer and using a spoon to force the de-seeded mixture through the wire mesh strainer, leaving behind the seeds!
- To showcase the vibrant layers and sunrise effect, use clear glasses. I like the appearance of the hurricane glasses, but stemmed glasses or Tom Collins glasses also work well.
- The protein powder adds extra nutrition and a subtle sweetness to the smoothie.
Other Amazing Smoothies
If you’re a fan of smoothies, try these easy-to-make recipes:
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Recipe
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Tropical Sunrise OJ Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
Red Raspberry Burst Layer
- ¾ cup Frozen raspberries (See Tip 1)
- ¼ cup (2 ounces) orange juice (See Tip 2)
- 2 ½ Tablespoons Honey
- ¼ cup crushed ice
Creamy Citrus Layer
- ½ Sliced and frozen banana (See Tip 3)
- ¼ Avocado, yellow part only (See Tip 4)
- ¾ cup (6 ounces) orange juice (See Tip 2)
- ½ cup (4 ounces) unsweetened almond milk (See Tip 5)
- ½ cup (4 ounces) plain Greek yogurt
- 1 scoop Vanilla protein powder (See Tip 6)
- ¼ cup crushed ice
Instructions
Red Raspberry Burst Layer
- Add frozen raspberries, orange juice, honey, and crushed ice to the blender. Secure the top and process on high speed for a minute or until thoroughly blended.
- Pour the mixture into a wire mesh strainer set over a measuring cup to remove the raspberry seeds. Use a spoon to force the mixture into the measuring cup, leaving behind the seeds.
- Transfer the red layer to two 12 to 13-ounce glasses and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to help thicken the layer. (See Tip 7)
- Makes approximately ¾ cup of the red layer.
Creamy Citrus Layer
- Rinse the blender after making the raspberry burst layer.
- To the cleaned blender, add the frozen bananas, avocado, orange juice, almond milk, Greek yogurt, protein powder, and crushed ice. Secure the top and process on high speed for approximately one minute or until thoroughly blended.
- Slowly pour the citrus layer over the red raspberry layer. Garnish with orange slices. (See Tip 8)
- Makes approximately 2 ¼ cups.
Video
Tips/Notes
- Sometimes, it’s difficult to find frozen raspberries. You can freeze fresh raspberries after they’ve been washed and dried. The frozen raspberries add to the thickness of the raspberry burst layer.
- If possible, use freshly squeezed Florida oranges for a superb taste.
- Slice the banana before freezing it for easy blending.
- Avocado might seem like an odd ingredient for this smoothie. However, it helps to provide a silky, rich texture without impacting the taste. Only use the avocado’s yellow part to minimize a green tinge to the smoothie.
- Feel free to substitute regular dairy or unsweetened oat milk for the almond milk.
- The vanilla protein powder adds extra nutrition and a subtle sweetness to this smoothie.
- To showcase the vibrant layers and sunrise effect, use clear glasses. I like the appearance of the hurricane glasses, but stemmed glasses or Tom Collins glasses also work well.
- Refrigerating the raspberry burst layer in the glasses helps to thicken it and minimize its blending with the creamy citrus layer.
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