Strawberry and cherry smoothie with lemon

I always have a craving for bright and fruity smoothies during the summer, and this Strawberry Cherry Smoothie with Lemon Zest hits the spot!

It also gets a protein boost from Greek yogurt and flaxseed, making it a great breakfast or lunchtime snack.

Lemon Cherry Fruit Smoothie

There’s nothing like a refreshing smoothie to cool off on a hot day and this one is the perfect choice for summer (or any other time)! It’s packed with antioxidants and only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. I also like that it also contains a good amount of protein, so it keeps you fuller for longer.

The lemon zest – paired with the cherries – really brightens the flavor and the strawberries add a bit more juicy sweetness. (I love summer fruits like cherries and strawberries—if you do too, check out my Easy Strawberry Breakfast Recipes post for inspiration!)

However, you can easily swap out the fruit in this smoothie if you wish – feel free to be creative. Bananas, peaches, frozen watermelon peels, oranges, other berries – they would all be delicious!

For more smoothie inspiration, check out my post on mix and match recipes for healthy smoothies!

recipe ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this Lemon Cherry Smoothie:

cherries (fresh or frozen – just make sure they’re gutted!)
strawberries (fresh or frozen)
Lemon peel
greek yogurt (I like to use plain Greek yogurt, but if you want a sweeter smoothie, you can use a flavored version.)
ground flaxseed (Or chia seeds! If you don’t like the texture of ground chia seeds in your smoothies, let the chia seeds sit in the milk for 10-15 minutes to allow them to absorb some of the liquid, then mix with the other smoothie ingredients. You can use your favorite protein powder instead.)
milk (Milk or non-dairy milk like almond milk, hemp milk, soy milk, etc. – just go with unsweetened milk unless you want an extra sweet smoothie)
vanilla extract

If you use frozen fruit in this smoothie, there is no need to add ice. When the fruit is fresh, add some ice cubes!

You might also enjoy this Strawberry Watermelon Skin Smoothie, Creamy Spirulina Smoothie, or Berry Yogurt Smoothie!

How to make a strawberry cherry smoothie

To make this smoothie, simply add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth! You can add more milk as needed to control the smoothie’s consistency to your liking. I prefer a less thick smoothie, but I know not everyone does!

Would you like to add some veggies to the mix? Add a handful of baby spinach before blending. (You won’t even notice!) A few mint leaves would be a great addition too—the strawberry and mint combo is always delicious.

Pour the mixture into a glass and sip!

When are cherries in season?

Cherry season usually starts around mid-April or May and lasts until late July or early August. So summer is the best time for fresh cherries! (You can also buy frozen cherries year-round for this smoothie.)

Are cherries nutritious?

Absolutely! Cherries are high in vitamins C, A, and K, as well as other minerals like potassium and magnesium. Additionally, they contain antioxidants (like beta-carotene) and anti-inflammatory compounds!

Tart cherry juice in particular makes a great sports drink – check out my tart cherry sports drink recipe if you want to spice up your summer fitness drinks!

Smoothie topping ideas

Enjoy this smoothie on its own or add some toppings to make a delicious smoothie bowl! Here are some topping ideas:

nut butter (Use natural almond butter or peanut butter for a drippy consistency that’s easy to drizzle)
Sliced bananas or other sliced fruit
granola
grated coconut
Chopped nuts (Almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.) for crispiness and healthy fat
seed (like pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds)

Find the full Strawberry Cherry Smoothie recipe at the bottom of this post. I hope you like it!

What is your favorite fruit to use in smoothies? Let me know in the comments!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out these smoothie recipes: