Why You’ll Love This Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

• It tastes like dessert for breakfast. Seriously, the flavor profile is so luxurious and satisfying, it’s hard to believe it’s a perfectly acceptable way to start your day. It satisfies those chocolate cravings in the most brilliant, nutritious way.
• It comes together in under 5 minutes. This is the ultimate fast food, but the good kind. If you have your ingredients prepped, you can be sipping this creamy delight before your coffee is even finished brewing. It’s a lifesaver on busy mornings.
• It’s incredibly versatile. You can easily make it vegan, adjust the sweetness to your liking, or boost the protein content—it’s a fantastic base recipe that welcomes your personal touches. I’ll give you all the options later on.
• The color is absolutely stunning. This might seem superficial, but we eat (and drink!) with our eyes first. That deep, ruby-red hue swirled with chocolate brown is just a little dose of visual joy first thing in the morning.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
• 1 medium ripe banana (previously frozen is best)
• 1 ½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
• 1 cup milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)
• 1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds (optional, for thickness & omega-3s)
• A handful of ice cubes (if your fruit isn’t fully frozen)

Tools: A high-speed blender is really ideal here.

The frozen cherries are non-negotiable—they provide the signature chill and thick, slushy texture. Using a ripe, spotty banana is the secret to natural creaminess and sweetness, meaning you might not need any added sweetener at all. And please, use a good-quality cocoa powder; it makes a world of difference in achieving that deep, authentic chocolate flavor.

Serves: 1 large or 2 smaller servings | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Why frozen fruit? This is the single most important step for a thick, creamy smoothie, not a watery one. Frozen fruit acts like little ice cubes that blend into a frosty, milkshake-like consistency. If you use fresh fruit, you’ll just end up with a thin cherry-chocolate drink.
• What’s the deal with the banana? The banana is your natural sweetener and thickener. For the ultimate texture, peel ripe bananas, break them into chunks, and freeze them on a parchment-lined tray overnight. This prevents a blender full of banana-flavored mush and gives you that perfect creamy body.
• Cocoa vs. Cacao Powder? Honestly, both work! Cocoa powder is roasted, giving it a deeper, classic chocolate flavor. Cacao powder is raw and has a slightly fruitier, more bitter edge. I prefer cocoa for its richer taste in this particular combo, but it’s totally up to you.
• To sweeten or not to sweeten? Taste your smoothie before you add any maple syrup or honey. Between the ripe banana and the sweet cherries, you might find it’s perfect as is. I always recommend blending first, then tasting and adjusting.

How to Make Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A slice of whole-wheat toast with almond butter — The crunch and healthy fats make this smoothie feel like a complete, well-rounded breakfast that will keep you full for hours.
• A small side of Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey — The tangy yogurt provides a lovely contrast to the sweet, rich smoothie, creating a perfect balance of flavors on your palate.

Drinks

• A hot cup of black coffee — The bitterness of the coffee is a classic partner to chocolate and cuts through the sweetness of the smoothie beautifully. It’s my go-to morning pairing.
• A glass of cold water with lemon — This might sound simple, but it’s incredibly refreshing and helps cleanse your palate between sips of the rich smoothie.

Something Sweet

• A small, dark chocolate-covered almond — For when you’re having this as an afternoon snack and want to double down on the chocolate theme in the most elegant, simple way.
• A few fresh, ripe raspberries — Their bright, tart pop complements the deep cherry flavor and adds a little textural surprise.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using fresh fruit instead of frozen. This is the number one reason smoothies turn out watery. Without frozen fruit, you simply won’t get that thick, creamy, milkshake-like texture we’re after. I’ve made this mistake before, and it’s a disappointing sip.
• Mistake: Adding the ingredients in the wrong order. Putting the frozen fruit in first can cause the blender to struggle and leave dry pockets of powder. Starting with liquid protects your blender’s blades and ensures a smooth blend.
• Mistake: Not tasting before serving. Everyone’s palate is different! Your bananas might be less sweet than mine, or your cocoa powder might be more bitter. That quick taste-test at the end is your chance to make it perfect for you.
• Mistake: Over-blending. Once it’s smooth, stop blending! Over-blending can incorporate too much air and actually start to warm the smoothie up from the friction of the blades, leading to a less-than-ideal texture.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make smoothie packs for the freezer. This is a huge time-saver. Portion the frozen cherries and banana into individual zip-top bags or containers. In the morning, you just dump a pack into the blender with your liquid and powders—breakfast is ready in 60 seconds flat.
• Tip: Add a handful of spinach. You won’t taste it, I promise! It will turn the smoothie a deeper, darker color, but it’s an effortless way to sneak in a serving of greens. The chocolate and cherry flavors are strong enough to completely mask it.
• Tip: For a coffee kick, use cold brew as your liquid. Replace half or all of the milk with cold brew coffee for a mocha-cherry situation that’s absolutely divine and will definitely wake you up.
• Tip: Create a layered effect. For a pretty presentation, blend the smoothie without the cocoa powder first. Pour half into a glass. Then add the cocoa powder to the remaining smoothie in the blender, blend again, and carefully pour it over the back of a spoon to create a red-and-brown layered look.

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie vegan?
Absolutely! It’s very easy. Just use a plant-based milk like almond, oat, or soy milk, and if you’re adding sweetener, make sure to use maple syrup instead of honey. Most protein powders these days have excellent vegan options made from pea or brown rice protein, so you can still get that nutritional boost.

I don’t like bananas. What can I use instead?
No problem—this is a common question! The banana is mainly for creaminess and sweetness. You can replace it with ½ an avocado (which will make it incredibly creamy without a strong flavor) or with ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt or silken tofu. You may need to add a bit more sweetener if you omit the banana.

Can I prepare this smoothie the night before?
You can, but the texture will change. It’s best fresh. If you must, make it and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge. It will separate, so just give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend in the morning. For a better make-ahead option, just prep the ingredients in the blender jar and store it in the fridge overnight, then blend in the morning.

My smoothie is too thick! How can I thin it out?
This happens! Just add a little more of your chosen milk, one tablespoon at a time, blending after each addition until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also use a little water or even cold coffee if you’re using that for flavor.

Can I use cherry juice instead of whole cherries?
I wouldn’t recommend it for this recipe. Cherry juice lacks the fiber and bulk of the whole fruit, so you’ll end up with a thin, overly sweet drink rather than a thick, satisfying smoothie. The frozen whole fruit is essential for the right texture and nutritional profile.