Recreate the refreshing taste of the famous Apples N' Greens Jamba Juice recipe with our healthy, homemade version. Using whole fruits, pure apple juice, and frozen kale, this green smoothie is packed with nutrients and irresistible natural flavor and sweetness.
I've always loved Jamba Juice smoothies until I learned about the added sugars and processed ingredients. In recent years, I've enjoyed recreating some of their famous smoothies, like Mango-a-Go-Go and Peanut Butter Chocolate Love, using nutrient-dense whole foods. If you like green juice, try the copycat First Watch Kale Tonic! For another green smoothie try Panera Green Passion Smoothie!
For this smoothie recipe, Jamba Juice uses an apple-strawberry juice blend. To maintain the flavors and preserve the integrity of the whole food benefits, I use pure apple juice, frozen strawberries, kale, mangoes, bananas, and peaches.
This recipe achieves the perfectly pleasing icy texture for a cooling drink any time of the year. My secret to the best consistency is to add the liquid slowly.
Before starting, set healthy intentions with affirmations or goals for the day. This practice can be powerful! For more info on setting intentions, check out our free guide.
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Ingredients
Apple Juice: If buying from the grocery store, use organic, unfiltered apple juice for the best quality. Avoid concentrates, as they often contain added sugars and may be exposed to unnatural ingredients during processing. Cold-pressed juice at home is ideal. (Check out my article on the benefits of cold-pressed juice.)
Frozen Mango Chunks: Mangoes, known as the "king of fruits," provide significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B, and healthy plant compounds.
Frozen Peach Slices: Frozen peaches offer an impressive amount of potent nutrients, including significant amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Frozen Strawberries: Strawberries are powerhouses of antioxidants and vitamin C, promoting immune health and reducing inflammation.
Frozen Banana: Bananas are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber, making them great for digestive health.
Frozen Kale: Kale is what really makes this drink a superfood. It's packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K, as well as powerful antioxidants. It has significant amounts of vitamin C (200 percent of the recommended daily value!)
Important Note: Unlike Jamba stores, which typically do not use organic ingredients, making this smoothie at home allows you to ensure all produce is organic and free from synthetic pesticides, supporting better health and environmental sustainability.
Substitutions and Variations
Greek Yogurt: Mix in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or kefir for extra creaminess and probiotics.
Protein Powder: Add your favorite protein powder for a post-workout shake.
Chia Seeds: Sprinkle in chia seeds for added fiber and omega-3s. *Check out my guide to sprouted vs unsprouted chia seeds
Additional Items: Consider adding blue spirulina, maca powder, lion's mane, or any other of your favorite boosts. Jamba Juice offers similar enhancements. Stock up at health food stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Natural Grocers for the best selection.
How to Make Apples N' Greens
Step 1: Pour apple juice into the blender. Add mango chunks, peach, strawberries, banana, and kale.
Step 2: Start blending on a low setting to combine the ingredients, then gradually increase the speed to high. Blend until the mixture is smooth and all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 3: If the smoothie is too thick, add more apple juice a tiny splash at a time, and blend again until you reach your desired consistency. If it is too thin, add a cup of ice.
Step 4: Taste the smoothie and adjust the flavors if needed. If you prefer it sweeter, add some raw honey or maple syrup. Blend briefly to combine.
Hint: Using a high-speed blender works best for smoothies. If you're using a standard blender, blend one ingredient at a time, starting with more liquid to build a base, then slowly add the frozen ingredients.
You don't necessarily need a higher-end Vitamix blender; a Ninja Professional works quite well for a fraction of the cost. However, Vitamix is the best if you want the ultimate blending experience!
Top tip
Be sure to scrape down the sides of your blender and blend thoroughly to avoid having chunks of kale in your frosty treat. This ensures a smooth and delicious smoothie every time!
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use fresh kale instead of frozen. However, using frozen kale helps achieve the frosty texture of the smoothie. If you use fresh kale, you might need to add some ice to get a similar consistency.
While Jamba Juice smoothies can be tasty, they often use conventional produce and add hidden sugars. Their juice blends and plant milks may contain unnecessary ingredients and preservatives. Making your smoothie at home allows you to use organic produce and whole fruits, ensuring you know exactly what goes into your drink. This way, you can avoid added sugars and unhealthy additives.
Using ice instead of frozen fruits will dilute the flavor and reduce the nutritional content of your smoothie. Frozen fruits help achieve a thick, creamy texture and preserve the natural sweetness and nutrients. If you prefer to use ice, you might need to adjust the amount of fruit to maintain the desired flavor and consistency.
More Juice and Smoothie Recipes
Looking for other juice and smoothie recipes like this? Try these:
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Recipe
Apples N' Greens Jamba Juice Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- spatula
- Mason jars
Ingredients
- ½ cup apple juice pure, unfiltered, more as needed
- ½ cup mango chunks frozen and organic
- ½ cup peach slices frozen and organic
- ½ cup strawberries frozen and organic
- 1 banana frozen and organic
- ½ cup kale frozen and organic
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Pour ½ cup of pure apple juice into the blender. Add ½ cup each of frozen mango chunks, frozen peach slices, frozen strawberries, frozen banana slices (1 medium banana), and frozen kale.
- Blend Until Smooth: Start blending on a low setting to combine the ingredients, then gradually increase the speed to high. Blend until the mixture is smooth and all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Check Consistency: If the smoothie is too thick, add more apple juice in small increments (a tablespoon at a time) and blend again until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and Adjust Flavors: Taste the smoothie and adjust the flavors if needed. If you prefer it sweeter, add a small amount of honey or agave syrup. Blend briefly to combine.
- Serve: Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately for the best taste and texture. Be sure to get a fat reusable straw if desired!
NP says
This apples n greens recipe so easy and delicious
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Natalie Perry says
Wonderful!