Cool Blackberry Basil Smoothie

Summer is feeling HOT here in Seattle, and as a result we’ve been on a smoothie kick in our house lately.  Give us all the frozen fruit!  (And all the pancakes, too, because it’s actually more like a smoothie-and-pancake-kick, if I’m honest, because #balance (and also #toddler), and it’s kind of my favorite thing.)

Aside from being a generally healthy and cooling treat, I’m loving the smoothie life because have you ever watched a one-year-old with very minimal hair growth slurp smoothie from his tiny cup and then look at you and go “mmm” very matter-of-factly?  Hot weather or not, I will keep make smoothies as long as I get to watch this happen.

I love all manner of frozen fruit for smoothies (we’re generally big on peaches, strawberries, blueberries and cherries over here), but when The Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission challenged me to come up with a blackberry smoothie recipe with an unexpected flavor twist, I jumped at the chance. And given the lovely fresh herbs available this time of year, my mind went immediately to basil. I kept it simple, letting the berries and basil shine through, and the result is one of the most refreshing cupfuls of frozen goodness you’ll find — sweet, tart, and very slightly herbaceous, not to mention the most gorgeously gorgeous shade of purple.  (Does it exist in lipstick and nail polish form?  Beauty experts, please say yes.)

Something in me suspects that, frozen in little cups or molds, this smoothie would transition pretty perfectly into popsicles, too.  Popsicles and pancakes for breakfast? Works for me.

Oh, hey!  While you’re blending your own smoothie, head on over to Instagram, where the ORBC and I are doing a fun little giveaway — all you have to do to enter is follow our accounts and tell us what you’d do with your own shipment of beautiful Oregon blackberries!

The Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission provided reimbursement for the ingredients in this post.  All opinions are my own.

Cool Blackberry Basil Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen Oregon blackberries
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• a small handful of fresh basil leaves (can use less, if you prefer)
• juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• chia seeds, for topping

Directions:

Puree all ingredients (except chia seeds) in a blender until smooth and frosty.  Pour into glasses and top with extra blackberries and a sprinkling of chia seeds.  Enjoy immediately!

Serves 2.