Summer Cranberry Smoothie Bowl and Cranberry Cocktail Recipe

You know there are a few things I love a lot. One is tasty food (obviously). Another is any ingredient that you can use in multiple ways – which leads us to cranberries. While over 80 percent of the US population enjoys cranberries (it’s actually one of the top three most popular berries according to a survey commissioned by the Cranberry Marketing Committee), I don’t think we realize just how good cranberries are for us! And that’s why today’s recipe post shows you how to start and end your day with cranberries using three different forms of cranberries: dried, frozen and juice. Talk about versatile.

Personally what really strikes me about America's Original Superfruit® is the flavor. It’s tart and bright making it so easy to pair with sweeter fruits but also things like meat (which is why it’s a Thanksgiving favorite). In fact, taste is the number one reason Americans eat cranberries (followed by for their health benefits, including urinary tract health).

In the smoothie bowl recipe I knew I wanted to pair cranberries with summer peaches and I am so excited at how balanced it makes this bowl. Frozen cranberries are quickly becoming a smoothie favorite of mine (and they made it a pretty pink color, so double bonus). Why more of us aren’t using frozen cranberries stumps me. The cranberry juice cocktail, which I used in the cocktail beverage, provides great color and the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavor. Over the past year I’ve really learned the importance of balance in a cocktail (sweet, salty and tart is really important!). So many cocktails are just too sweet, and cranberry juice cocktail helps you get to that perfect balance.

If you’re all in on cranberries with me, you’re also going to love what I’m going to tell you about, well, YOU! In a national survey , the Cranberry Marketing Committee found that cranberry eaters are more likely to…

• Have healthy habits: They spend time outdoors, play a sport, and do yoga (five times more likely!)
• Stress less: Nearly 70 percent of American cranberry eaters describe themselves as positive. They’re less stressed and less overwhelmed most days compared to non-cranberry consumers.
• Be ‘free spirits’: Cranberry lovers who consume them at least once a week are more likely to describe themselves as creative, spontaneous or brave. It sounds like I needed some cranberries in college during organic chemistry.

Cranberry Marketing Committee

Here’s how you can start and end your day with cranberries:

Start the day with cranberries: Cranberry Peach Smoothie Bowl

Base:

•  2/3 c Vanilla Almond Milk
•  1/2 c sliced frozen peaches
•  1/2 c frozen cranberries

Toppings:

• fresh sliced peaches
• 1/8 c granola w/ cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
• 10 almonds

Directions: Blend frozen cranberries and peaches with almond milk until smooth. Add to a bowl. Place peach slices in the center and top with chia seeds. Create a circle of granola and almonds around the outside of the peach slices. Fill the center of the peaches with dried cranberries and top with lemon zest.

End the day with cranberries: Cranberry Mai Tai

• 2 oz rum (white)
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz almond milk
•  1/2 oz orange liqueur
• dash orange blossom water (optional)
• 3/4 oz cranberry juice cocktail
• crushed ice
• fresh mint
• cranberry

Directions: In a shaker with ice, add rum, lime juice, almond milk and orange liqueur. Shake and pour over crushed ice in a glass. Pour cranberry juice cocktail over top. Garnish with mint and a fresh or frozen cranberry.

These are just two of the many ways to use cranberries! Let me know in the comments how you are using cranberries this summer.

Disclosure: This post is a sponsored partnership with the Cranberry Marketing Committee. I LOVE cranberries and I hope more of you enjoy them throughout the entire year with the help of recipes like these!