Here is THHF’s Smoothie Color Cheat Sheet! This is the ultimate guide to coloring smoothies and shakes (the difference is debatable.) Whip out your artist’s palette and ready your palate:)

Whether you’re looking for something red velvet, mint green, or mudslide, I break down the natural rainbow below. No expensive coloring agents or questionable dyes!

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Smoothie/Shake Color Cheat Sheet

INGREDIENTS BY COLOR

Light green- avocado, zucchini (with skin,) butter/romaine lettuce, cucumber, parsley, honeydew melon (the green ones, of course,) cotton candy grapes, limes, pistachios

Darker green- spinach, kale, arugula, broccoli, basil, mint, cilantro, kiwi, Moringa powder

Blue- less ripe blueberries, blue majik, spirulina

Purple- wild blueberries, acai (whole or powder,) blackberries, black grapes, radicchio aka purple cabbage, plum, raisins (high amount= dark)

Yellow- mango, pineapple, turmeric, banana, yellow carrots, mulberries, ginger, peaches, lemon, sweet corn

Orange- mango (use in higher amounts,) carrot, sweet potato, butternut squash, pumpkin, papaya, canteloupe, kabocha squash, passionfruit, apricot, any variety of orange in large amounts; mandarin, tangerine, etc.

Red- steamed beets, raspberries, watermelon, cherries, tomato, paprika

Light pink- strawberries, raspberries, grapefruit

Hot pink- beets, dragonfruit, raspberries

Brown- cocoa powder (dutch-processed for reddish-blackish-brown,) coffee, dates, almond butter, peanut butter, maca

White- cauliflower, cashews, macadamia nuts, tofu, pear (no skin) plant milk, durian, tahini, coconut butter, coconut flour

• Protein powder, unless “naturally” or artificially colored, will dissolve and absorb whatever juices release from the other ingredients.
• The higher amount of an ingredient, the more vibrant the result.
• Ingredients including, but not limited to, tomato, beets, arugula, corn, and cucumber will be detectable to sensitive taste buds. I cannot stand beets, no matter how much sugar is dumped upon them, but it is a popular red velvet aid.
• These colors usually apply to juicing, as well.

BEST COMBINATIONS FOR CLASSIC SHAKES (the best colors for the least overpowering taste)

Vanilla- banana+tofu, cauliflower+ tahini, durian by itself

Red Velvet- beets, raspberries

Peppermint Bon Bon- zucchini, spinach, mint (duh,) cucumber

Chocolate- cocoa, carob powder, instant coffee, vanilla extract, cacao nibs

PB&J- peanut butter+ maca + strawberries

Creamsicle- mango + orange, papaya + orange

Key Lime- lime + avocado, lime juice + cotton candy grapes

Salted Caramel- dates + maca, tahini + prunes

Pina Colada- coconut flour+ pineapple + turmeric

Grape Float- Black grapes + blueberries

Blue Raspberry- spirulina + blackberries + raspberries (just for flavor)

HOW TO MASK COLORS

• Want the health of the green but can’t fathom an emerald smoothie if it’s not minty or from Oz? Add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder. I can stuff 2 cups of spinach into a smoothie and color the green with 1 tablespoon of Special Dark cocoa and two tablespoons of cacao.
• Adding more ice CAN dilute color but also flavor. So be sure to use no more than 2 cups.
• Be wary of grey smoothies! Remember playing with colored sand as a kid, only to discover it you can’t make a psychedelic swirl? Me too. I didn’t want to dabble in cremation. This happens when you blend three or more distinct colors, such as blueberries + strawberries+ spinach or raspberries + kale. Sweet potato + cocoa is a certain shade of brown that … doesn’t appeal to the chocolate appetite.
• Purple and green are the most prominent colors. Squashes (beta-carotene, baby!) are dominant in lighter-colored smoothies.

To see this smoothie color cheat sheet in action, start with these:

Pomegranate Almond Ginger Smoothie

Super Healthy Shamrock Shake

Do y’all have any special questions needing a personalized answer? Leave a comment and I can give you my best shot.

Several shakes are coming your way before summer ends! They’re nostalgic and a little neurotic… so stay tuned and salivating.

Best Dishes,

The Hippie Happy Foodist™