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 smoothies from Jamba Juice 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.
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 and frozen strawberries, along with 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.
This high-vibrational morning or afternoon pick-me-up is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy delicious smoothies with basic ingredients and leafy greens.
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
Pure 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. Apples, being the most widely consumed fruit, are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which support the immune system and may aid in weight loss and blood sugar regulation.
Frozen Mango Chunks: Mangoes, known as the "king of fruits," provide significant amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B, and healthy plant compounds. These nutrients can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease, and support digestive health. Use organic frozen mangoes for optimal quality.
Frozen Peach Slices: Frozen peaches offer an impressive amount of potent nutrients, including significant amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants. Always choose organic to avoid synthetic pesticides.
Frozen Strawberries: Strawberries are powerhouses of antioxidants and vitamin C, promoting immune health and reducing inflammation. Opt for organic frozen strawberries to ensure the best quality and avoid harmful chemicals.
Frozen Banana: Bananas are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber, making them great for digestive health. Using organic frozen bananas guarantees you avoid synthetic pesticides.
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!) It's excellent for blood clotting factors, detoxification, gut health, and overall nutrition. Kale has significant amounts of copper, which supports the immune system and can lower the risk of certain cancers. (Check out our anti-cancer diet and meal plan!) Organic frozen kale is best to avoid pesticide residues.
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.
Instructions for Apples N' Greens
- Combine Ingredients: Pour apple juice into the blender. Add mango chunks, peach, strawberries, banana, and 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 tiny splash at a time) and blend again until you reach your desired consistency. If it is too thin, add a cup of ice.
- Taste and Adjust Flavors: Taste the smoothie and adjust the flavors if needed. If you prefer it sweeter, add a small amount of raw honey or maple syrup. Blend briefly to combine.
Serve: Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately before it melts!
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!
Substitutions and Variations
Food Allergy Concerns: If you have allergies to any specific fruits, swap them with safe alternatives.
Green Apple: Add a small, peeled green apple for a tart flavor.
Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice can add a refreshing twist.
Greek Yogurt: Mix in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or kefir for extra creaminess and protein.
Pear Juice: Substitute apple juice with pear juice, coconut water, or orange juice for a different flavor profile.
Protein Powder: Add your favorite protein powder for a post-workout shake.
Chia Seeds: Sprinkle in chia seeds for added fiber and omega-3s.
Substitute Options: Switch out kale for another leafy green like spinach or arugula.
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.
Storage
To keep your smoothie fresh, store it in airtight containers. Mason jars work great for this purpose. Simply pour your smoothie into a mason jar, leaving a little space at the top, seal tightly, and refrigerate. Your smoothie will stay fresh for up to 24 hours.
For longer storage, freeze the smoothie in ice cube trays, add a little juice, and blend it up when you're ready to enjoy it!
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!
FAQ
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:
Recipe
Copycat Jamba Juice Apples N' Greens Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
- 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!
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Natalie Perry says
Wonderful!