The Best Beginner Green Smoothie

Nov 1

published November 1, 2016 | revised June 8, 2024

If you’re just starting your wellness journey—or simply trying to sneak more veggies into your kids’ day—this beginner-friendly green smoothie is for you. It’s sweet, nourishing, and so delicious that even the biggest green-smoothie skeptics won’t believe it’s packed with spinach!

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If the thought of drinking something green still makes you hesitate—this one’s for you, friend.

The Spinach Colada was the very first green smoothie I ever made—over 15 years ago—and it totally changed the game for me.

Back then, I remember staring into my blender like, “There’s no way I’m drinking that.” The color threw me off. The idea of spinach in a drink just felt... wrong.

But then I tried it. And something magical happened:

It didn’t taste “green” at all. It tasted tropical, sweet, creamy—and so good I actually craved it the next day.

This one smoothie became my favorite feel-good drink through my twenties, and when an old boss of mine opened a juice bar and asked me to help create the menu—this was the first recipe I gave her. It quickly became a #1 best-seller. It’s just that good.

Whether you're new to green smoothies or trying to sneak more veggies into your littles day—this is the perfect place to start.

Why This Green Smoothie Works

This recipe is:

Kid-friendly and beginner-approved
Naturally sweet without added sugars
Packed with vitamins (hi, Vitamin C, A, and electrolytes!)
Creamy + tropical with just enough green to nourish, not overwhelm

Even the spinach skeptics in your life won’t notice it. *Pinky promise*.

Yield: 1

Author: Jennifer Cat

Spinach Colada

The *best* beginner green smoothie!

Ingredients

1 cup organic spinach
1 cup coconut water (cut with plain water if too sweet)
1 cup frozen pineapple
½ cup frozen peaches
½ tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
Blend until creamy and smooth. Add more coconut water if needed.
Pour into a chilled glass (bonus points for a silly straw if serving to kids!) and enjoy immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

226

Fat

8 g

Sat. Fat

6 g

Carbs

39 g

Fiber

7 g

Net carbs

33 g

Sugar

29 g

Protein

4 g

Sodium

287 mg

Cholesterol

0 mg

Kitchen Tips

Smoothie Tip: If your kids are picky about color, serve it in a fun opaque cup with a lid and (fun!) straw—no questions asked.
Bulk Prep: Freeze pineapple + peach in portioned bags with spinach so you can just dump, blend, and go.
Make It Creamier: Add a 1/2 of a banana or a splash of plant-based milk if you want that smoothie shop texture.

Why Moms Love This Smoothie

This recipe supports hydration, digestive support and natrual energy all without the added sugars from other fruit drinks. Anything you can make homemade the better, and although I know it is not always possible to make everything, adding in a few things like this a week really helps to nourish your body (and kids) in a simple way

✧ Want More Like This?

Grab my FREE Summer Smoothie Guide—it includes this recipe plus four more refreshing blends and a list of my go-to budget-friendly smoothie staples!