Creamy Cherry Lime Yogurt Smoothie

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 2 servings (about 3 cups total)
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes

Quick Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups frozen tart cherries
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk)
• ½ cup milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
• 2–3 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup, to taste
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4–6 ice cubes (optional, for extra thickness)
• Optional garnish: extra cherries, lime slices, lime zest

Do This

• 1) Zest and juice 1 lime; set both aside.
• 2) Add to blender: frozen cherries, yogurt, milk, honey or maple, lime juice, lime zest, vanilla, and ice (if using).
• 3) Blend on low, then increase to high until completely smooth and creamy, 30–60 seconds.
• 4) Stop and scrape down sides if needed; blend again until no cherry chunks remain.
• 5) Taste and adjust sweetness or lime: add more honey for sweeter, more lime juice for tangier.
• 6) Pour into 2 chilled glasses; garnish with cherries, lime slices, and a pinch of zest.
• 7) Serve immediately while thick and frosty.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bright, tangy, and creamy: tart cherries and lime balance the richness of yogurt for a dessert-like treat that is still refreshing.
• Fast and easy: from freezer to glass in about 10 minutes with just a blender.
• Nutritious: packed with protein from Greek yogurt and antioxidants from cherries, with customizable sweetness.
• Flexible: works with dairy or plant-based milk and yogurt, and can be made thicker like a smoothie bowl.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 lime, 1 bag frozen tart cherries (unsweetened if possible)
• Dairy: Plain Greek yogurt, milk (or plant-based alternatives)
• Pantry: Honey or pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, ice (if needed)

Full Ingredients

Cherry–Lime Yogurt Smoothie

• 1 ½ cups frozen tart cherries (about 210 g), stems and pits removed
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2% or whole milk for best creaminess
• ½ cup milk of choice (dairy, oat, almond, or cashew)
• 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup, plus 1 tablespoon more to taste if needed
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1 medium lime)
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest (zest the lime before juicing)
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4–6 ice cubes (about ½ cup), optional for a thicker, frostier texture
• Pinch of fine sea salt (optional, but helps balance the flavors)

Optional Garnishes

• 4–6 whole frozen or fresh cherries
• 2 thin lime slices or wedges
• Extra lime zest for sprinkling
• Fresh mint leaves

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the lime

Rinse and dry the lime. Using a fine grater or microplane, grate just the colored outer peel to get 1 teaspoon of lime zest. Avoid the white pith underneath, which is bitter. Once zested, cut the lime in half and squeeze out 2 tablespoons of juice. If your lime is small, you may need a second one. Set the zest and juice aside separately so you can control how tangy the smoothie becomes.

Step 2: Load the blender with base ingredients

Add the frozen tart cherries to the blender first; placing them closest to the blades helps them break down more easily. Next, add the Greek yogurt, milk, 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup, the freshly squeezed lime juice, the lime zest, vanilla extract, and the pinch of salt if using. If you like a thick and frosty smoothie, add 4–6 ice cubes as well. The salt is optional but a tiny pinch can make the cherry and lime flavors taste brighter.

Step 3: Start blending low and move to high

Secure the lid and begin blending on a low speed to get everything moving without overworking the motor. After about 10–15 seconds, gradually increase to high speed. Blend until the cherries and ice are mostly broken down, about 20–30 seconds. If your blender has a smoothie or frozen drink setting, you can use that here. If the mixture looks too thick to move, add 1–2 tablespoons more milk to help it along.

Step 4: Scrape, check consistency, and blend again

Turn off the blender and remove the lid. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides so any stubborn bits of cherry or yogurt are pushed back into the blades. Check the texture: it should look smooth, pourable, and creamy, with a consistency like a thick milkshake. Blend again on high for another 20–30 seconds until completely smooth. You should not see visible cherry skins or large ice crystals.

Step 5: Taste and fine-tune the flavor

Give the smoothie a quick taste. For more tang, add another teaspoon or two of lime juice. For more sweetness, drizzle in up to 1 additional tablespoon of honey or maple syrup. If you prefer a thinner drink, add a splash of extra milk and blend again for a few seconds. If you want it thicker (almost like soft-serve), add a couple more ice cubes or a small handful of frozen cherries and blend again until smooth.

Step 6: Serve and garnish

Pour the smoothie into 2 chilled glasses or jars. The color should be a deep pinkish-red with tiny specks of lime zest. Garnish each glass with a few whole cherries, a lime slice on the rim, and a light sprinkle of lime zest on top. If you like a touch of freshness, add a small sprig of mint. Serve immediately with straws or spoons while the smoothie is cold and thick.

Step 7: Rinse and reset (optional but helpful)

If you plan to make smoothies often, a quick blender rinse makes cleanup easier later. Fill the empty blender halfway with warm water and a drop of dish soap, secure the lid, and blend on high for 10–15 seconds. Rinse well. Then enjoy your cherry–lime yogurt smoothie while it is at its best texture.

Pro Tips

• Use frozen cherries, not ice alone: Frozen tart cherries give body and chill without watering down the flavor like a lot of ice would.
• Adjust sweetness last: The tang from yogurt and lime can be strong. Always blend fully, then sweeten to taste so you do not overdo the honey or maple syrup.
• Balance thickness with milk and ice: More milk makes it thinner and sip-able through a straw; more ice or cherries makes it thicker and closer to a shake or smoothie bowl.
• Boost the nutrition: Add 1–2 tablespoons of chia seeds or a scoop of vanilla protein powder. If adding dry ingredients, you may need a splash more milk.
• Chill your glasses: For an extra-cold, dessert-like feel, place your serving glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes while you gather ingredients.

Variations

• Coconut Cherry–Lime Smoothie: Swap the milk for canned light coconut milk and replace half of the yogurt with coconut yogurt. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes.
• Cherry–Lime Smoothie Bowl: Reduce the milk to ¼ cup and skip the ice for a very thick blend. Serve in bowls and top with granola, extra cherries, and a drizzle of honey.
• High-Protein Version: Add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder and 2 tablespoons of rolled oats. You may need 2–4 tablespoons more milk to keep it blendable.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately, when the texture is at its thickest and creamiest. If you need to store it, pour any leftovers into an airtight jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The mixture may separate slightly; simply shake well or stir before drinking. For longer storage, you can freeze the blended smoothie in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and blend again with a splash of milk to restore creaminess. As a prep-ahead shortcut, you can portion the frozen cherries, lime zest, and any add-ins (such as chia seeds) into freezer bags. When ready, just pour into the blender, add yogurt, milk, honey or maple, and lime juice, then blend.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values for 1 of 2 servings, made with 2% Greek yogurt, 2% dairy milk, and 2 tablespoons honey: about 240 calories; 12 g protein; 5 g fat; 40 g carbohydrates; 3 g fiber; 32 g total sugars; 80 mg sodium. Exact values will vary with your specific ingredients and any substitutions or add-ins.