Kale Ribbean Breeze Smoothie (Jamba Juice Copycat)
If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a fan of creating my own Jamba Juice recipes. This Kale Ribbean Breeze is one of the easiest, and it tastes like a tropical vacation in a glass.
This Jamba Juice copycat blends orange juice, frozen mango, a frozen banana, fresh kale and chia seeds into a creamy, citrusy smoothie. It takes five ingredients, five minutes and one blender, with no dairy at all.
The Best Kale Ribbean Breeze Jamba Juice Copycat (Kid Approved)
I recently moved to Austin, Texas and have loved spending my warm summer days by the pool with my family. I wasn’t sure what to expect since friends and family warned me about the brutality of the Texas sun. However, it’s been quite enjoyable! Maybe it’s been the pool OR maybe it’s been because we have daily smoothies to combat the heat.
I have two small kiddos, and any mom with young kids understands the constant worry over getting enough veggies and the proper nutrients into their cute little bellies. Finding, creating and feeding our kids healthy options can feel like a full time job! This is one of the many, many reasons I’m in love with my Vitamix. That powerful blender can blend anything into pure creaminess, and my kids get most of their vegetables in smoothies just like this one.
My main tip: invest in a high quality blender! It does make a massive difference. Want to find an affordable one? Purchase a refurbished Vitamix on Amazon (affiliate link).
I have several other easy Jamba Juice copycat recipes, such as Caribbean Passion, Mango-A-Go-Go and Aloha Pineapple. They only have a few ingredients, and I guarantee you’ll love every single one.
Why You’ll Love This Jamba Juice Kale Smoothie
- Five simple ingredients. Orange juice, mango, banana, kale and chia seeds are all it takes.
- Creamy without dairy. A frozen banana gives it a thick, smooth texture with no milk or yogurt.
- Hidden greens. The kale blends right in, which makes it an easy way to get vegetables into little ones.
- Ready in 5 minutes. Add everything to the blender, blend on high and pour.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here is what goes into this Kale Ribbean Breeze and why each one is there. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Orange juice: The liquid base and the source of that bright, citrusy flavor. Use a natural orange juice with no added sugar. It goes into the blender first so the blades can move freely and pull the frozen fruit down. Fresh squeezed juice tastes even brighter if you have the time.
- Frozen mango: Gives the smoothie its tropical sweetness and a thick, frosty texture without any ice. Ice waters down the flavor as it melts, while frozen fruit only adds more fruit. Bags of frozen mango chunks are easy to keep on hand, or you can cube and freeze a ripe mango yourself.
- Frozen banana: Frozen bananas are an inexpensive and healthy way to add creaminess to smoothies without using dairy. Use bananas that are yellow and ripe, since ripe bananas are sweeter and blend smoother than green ones. Keep a hand of five or six frozen so you’re always ready to blend up a smoothie.
- Fresh kale: Adds greens and a mild, earthy flavor that the mango and orange cover up nicely. Kale is a pretty tough little green, so remove the stem and use only the leaves. Wash it well before it goes in. I always use FIT vegetable wash, my most favorite after trying numerous washes, because you can actually feel the waxes and dirt come off. It’s SO worth the extra 20 seconds.
- Chia seeds: A spoonful adds fiber and a little extra body. Chia seeds soak up liquid and swell, so they help thicken the smoothie as it sits. Look for plain black or white chia seeds. Ground flaxseed works the same way if that’s what is in your pantry.
How to Make a Kale Ribbean Breeze Smoothie
- Freeze the bananas ahead. Peel yellow bananas, place them in a zip top bag in a single layer and freeze on a flat surface for 5 to 6 hours. Laying them flat keeps them from freezing into one big clump, so you can grab one at a time.
- Prep the kale. Strip the leaves away from the tough center stem and scrub them clean. Tear any large leaves into a few pieces so they blend quickly and you don’t end up with bits of green in your straw.
- Add the orange juice first. Pour it into the blender before anything else. Liquid on the bottom gives the blades something to spin in, so the frozen fruit gets pulled down instead of jamming at the top.
- Add the rest in order. Add the frozen mango, frozen banana, kale and chia seeds, following the order in the recipe card. The heavier frozen fruit sits on top of the juice and helps push the kale down into the blades.
- Blend on high. Start low for a few seconds, then turn it up to high and blend until it’s smooth and slushy. It should look evenly pale green with no flecks of leaf and pour thick but steady. If it’s too thick to move, add a splash more orange juice.
- Serve right away. Pour into two glasses and enjoy it while it’s cold and frosty.
Kami’s tip: Always keep a hand of five or six bananas peeled and frozen in a zip top bag. Then you’re ready to blend up a creamy, dairy free smoothie at any time.
Ways to Customize Your Kale Smoothie
- Swap the greens. Baby spinach is milder than kale and blends in even more easily.
- Change the fruit. Frozen pineapple can stand in for some of the mango for a sharper tropical flavor.
- Make it thicker. Use a little less orange juice, or let it sit for a few minutes so the chia seeds can thicken it.
- Make it a bowl. Blend it extra thick and top with sliced banana, chia seeds and granola.
Kale Ribbean Breeze FAQs
- Is this a copy of the Jamba Juice Kale Ribbean Breeze? It’s my homemade copycat made with orange juice, mango, banana, kale and chia seeds. It’s a creamy, citrusy smoothie you can blend at home for a lot less money.
- Do I need a Vitamix? A high powered blender makes the smoothest texture because it breaks the kale down completely. Any sturdy blender works, but you may need to blend longer and add a splash more juice.
- Why do I remove the kale stems? The stems are tough and fibrous, and they leave stringy bits in the smoothie. The leaves blend smooth.
- Does this smoothie have dairy? No. The frozen banana makes it creamy without any milk or yogurt.
- How many servings does it make? The recipe makes 2 servings.
- Can I make it ahead? It’s best fresh, while it’s thick and frosty. If you have extra, keep it covered in the fridge for up to a day and shake or stir before drinking, since it will separate.
- Can I use a fresh banana? You can, but the smoothie will be thinner and less cold. A frozen banana is what gives it that creamy, slushy texture.
- Is it good for kids? My kids get most of their vegetables in smoothies like this one. The orange and mango hide the kale really well.
Copycat Jamba Juice Kale Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups natural orange juice
- 2 cups frozen mangos
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup fresh kale stem removed and washed
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
- In a Vitamix blender, add ingredients in order listed. Blend on high until smooth and slushy. Enjoy!
Notes
Made this Kale Ribbean Breeze? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me how it turned out in the comments below. Your feedback helps other smoothie lovers, and I love hearing about your swaps.
