Foodie 15: Best Smoothies in Tucson

Berry Greens has two locations–one downtown on Congress and another on University near campus. While their smoothie menu is robust, they also serve beautiful fruit bowls, cold press juice (including 3-5 day juice cleanse packs), wellness shots, and some food (try the Peanut Butter Toast with Blueberries) For smoothies, we recommend the Georgia Peach, the Mango con Chile, or the Startup Energy Smoothie. Milk options: Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Coconut Water Sweetener options: Honey or Agave Protein powder options: Whey or Vegan

Nothing makes us happier to see the drive-thru line at Coffee Times consistently longer than the line at Dunkin' next door. And there's a reason for it. Coffee Times' smoothies are all under $7 and they're super yummy. Our favorites include the Avocado-Banana-Spinach (avocado, banana, spinach, soy milk and honey), the Protein Power Pak (powdered peanut butter, whey protein, banana, honey, almond milk, Ghirardelli’s cocoa and one espresso shot), and their classic Strawberry Banana. Milk options: Almond, Soy Optional add-ins: Whey Protein, Flax Seeds, Chia Seeds, Bee Pollen, Organic Cacao, Hemp Seeds, Green Superfood, Raw Oats, Peanut Butter, Maca Powder, and Coconut Flakes

The perfect place to stop after hiking at Tanque Verde Falls, Coffee X Change has great coffee and a full food menu (try the tomato soup and grilled cheese). For smoothies, you might have to ask for their "Hush Hush Menu," which features fun smoothies like the Pina Colada Smoothie, the Chunky Monkey, and the Orange You Dreamin?. Our pick  is the Mr. Napoleon (vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate).

El Zumitos serves up delicious juices, smoothies and agua frescas inside the Mercado San Agustín. Our picks are the #4 (mango, watermelon, pineapple, lime and tajin) and the #3 (peanut butter, banana, cinnamon, dates, oat milk, and honey). Milk options: Oat, Almond, Yogurt Add-ins: chia seeds, flax, seeds, almonds, pecans, oats, granola, olive oil, soy protein, and high-quality grass-fed whey protein

Everything owner Eris Movahedi makes is full of love. You're guaranteed to feel better after drinking any of her delicious coffee or tea-based beverages, but we like her smoothies the most. Everything at Espressoul is vegan and 100% organic. Her most refreshing smoothie is the Pineapple Matcha Banana. Other best sellers include the Espresso Banana, the Banana Chai, and the Peanut Butter Banana Nutella. If she's got a special smoothie on the menu the day, get that. Especially if it has lavender. Milk options: Coconut, Almond, Oat Add-ins: Chia seeds, Vegan Protein Powder

This crowd-favorite has a massive smoothie menu. Let us help you with a few recommendations:

• Green Monster (spinach, bananas, peaches, carrot juice, peach juice)
• Peach Pie (peaches, bananas, oats, hemp granola, cinnamon, almond milk, honey)
• Alotta Colada (coconut, banana, pineapple sherbet, pineapple juice, vanilla fro-yo)
• The HULK (pineapple sherbet, pomegranate juice, almond milk, banana, organic spirulina powder, coconut flakes, dates, strawberries)

Milk options: Almond, Vanilla Fro-yo

Don't assume Juice N' Fruit Raspados is only a raspado place because raspado is in the name. Their menu includes agua frescas, milkshakes, 17 different natural juices with all sort of fruit, vegetable, and herb options, and of course–smoothies. They're smoothies may be simple, but the community raves about this place. When we went, we tried the #6 because you don't see fresh papaya on a lot of menus around Tucson. It was great, but we can't keep our eyes off that "Ice Cream Mixes" part of the menu for some reason...

If you go to Midtown Vegan Deli for a smoothie, put on horse blinders or you're going to drown yourself in delicious vegan pastries on the counter or goodies from the market before you make it to the cashier. We recommend the Veg-ilicious (kale, banana, pineapple, mango, green apple, and soy milk) and the Kreamy Dreamy Kale (kale, banana, pineapple, peanut butter, yogurt, and almond milk). Both go well with the Death Free Foodie Bagel (layers of crispy bacon, Beyond Sausage, Just Egg, Microgreens, American Cheese, Jalapenos, and maple syrup on your choice of bagel). Milk options: Almond, Soy Add-ins: Hemp Hearts Protein, Coco Whip, Peanut Butter

For something a little different, head to Mojo for some batidos (cuban-style milkshakes). Sure, they call them milkshakes, but what's the difference anyway? (sorry if we just sent you into a Google rabbit-hole) They offer a Guava and a Mango. Both are vegan and gluten free.

This place was the clear winner when we asked our Instagram community for their favorite smoothie spots. Pure Love Juice sells juices, wellness shots, an incredible immunity elixir (get one!), many different types of bowls, soups, toasts and more, plus an impressive array of smoothies they categorize into Power Smoothies, Fruit Smoothies, and Superfood Smoothies. Our recommendations from each category:

• Power Smoothies: the Pure Revive (kale, spinach, pineapple, apple, mint, coconut water, agave, topped with unsweetened coconut flakes)
• Fruit Smoothies: the Pure Velvety (strawberry, banana, cashews, coconut milk, dates, topped with unsweetened coconut flakes)
• Superfood Smoothies: the Pure Lavender (lavender flower, banana, blueberries, coconut milk, cashews, dates, topped with unsweetened coconut flakes)

Milk options: Almond, Coconut, Oat, Coconut Water, Greek Yogurt Add-ons: Coconut Flakes, Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Oats, Agave, Honey, Blue Majik, Collage, Spirulina, Chlorophyll, Mushroom Adaptogen Blend, Rapid Immune Boost, Maca, Turmeric, Lavender, Charcoal, Dates, Flaxseed, Chia, Hemp, Cayenne, Cacao Powder, Oregano Oil, Ginger, Jalapeño, MintAvocado, Spinach, Kale Protein powders: Vegan Vanilla, Vegan Chocolate, Vegan Natural, Whey Chocolate, Whey Vanilla Protein Powder

A local coffee shop town fave, Ren has a great smoothie menu. Try the Tropical Matcha (pineapple, coconut milk, banana, sweet matcha), the Zipline (almond milk and nitro with banana, dates, cacao nibs, ginger, cinnamon), the Popeye (coconut milk, spinach, dates, mango, pineapple, banana), or treat yo'self with a Frozen Hot Chocolate (whole milk with Ghiradelli chocolate and whipped cream). Milk options: Almond, Coconut, Whole Add-ins: peanut butter, almond butter, spinach, whey protein, ketogenic protein, plant protein

Tumerico's smoothie options change, so be sure to call ahead to see what they got (520-240-6947). As of June 2024, they're offering two smoothies: The Summer Smoothie - pineapple, cashews, apply, mesquite The Green Goddess: banana, chia, moringa, spinach Milk options: Oat Add-ins: Coconut oil, Tumeric

Urban Fresh blends up some seriously good smoothies. Nourishing is their word for it, and they're 100% right. Our picks are the Maca Java (Coffee, Cacao, Maca, Dates, Cinnamon, Almond Milk) and the Tropical Kreme (Pineapple, Banana, Mango, Acai, Coconut Milk). Milk options: Almond, Coconut Milk, Coconut Water

Warfuel makes clean, wholesome grab & go meals out of their scratch kitchen. They also make some pretty darn good smoothies. Our picks are the Strawberry-Banana Builder (strawberries, bananas, dates, peanut butter, vanilla protein, honey) and the Seeing is Believing (carrot, apple, walnut, milk, cinnamon, pineapple, and orange). The Peanut Butter Cup is pretty ridicilous, too.

Yellowbrick serves three classic smoothies. All are delicious:

• PBC (peanut butter, chocolate, greek yogurt, banana, milk)
• Sweet Green (spinach, dates, peaches, pineapple, tumeric, greek yogurt, milk)
• Berry (mixed berries, banana, honey, greek yogurt, milk)

Milk options: Oat, Almond, Whole