There’s something truly refreshing about a smoothie that wakes up your senses with a zing of spice and a burst of berry flavor. This Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe is exactly that—a lively, cozy drink that’s surprisingly simple but packed with personality.

A close-up of two clear glasses filled with a thick, bubble-covered pink smoothie. One glass is in the front and has a clear glass straw inside it. Around the glasses are whole and sliced cranberries in shades of deep red and bright red, all placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with whole cranberries, slightly out of focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I blended this up on a chilly morning. The warmth from the cinnamon and ginger paired perfectly with the tart cranberries, creating a balance that felt both comforting and invigorating. It's become my go-to smoothie when I want something a little different but easy to make.

Vibrant Flavors: The tartness of fresh cranberries combined with warm spices gives this smoothie a unique taste you won't find in your average berry blend.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need in your kitchen already—no complicated prep or obscure items required.
Quick & Nutritious: It takes just minutes to make and delivers a healthy boost with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Perfect for Cooler Months: The ginger and cinnamon add a cozy twist that makes it feel just right for a winter or fall snack.

Two clear glasses filled with smooth, pink-red smoothie sit on a white marbled surface. One glass is filled, while a pink-red smoothie is being poured from a transparent blender container into the other glass, creating small bubbles on the surface. Around the glasses, fresh whole and halved cranberries, along with some orange wedges, add color. A transparent straw lies next to the glass being filled, and the background features a wooden board with more orange pieces on it, set against white tiles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients come together beautifully, offering a mix of sweetness, tartness, and spice. When shopping, look for fresh, bright cranberries and ripe bananas to get the most flavor out of the smoothie. I always prefer fresh ginger, but ground works just fine when you want to keep things simple.

Flat lay of a whole ripe banana with bright yellow peel, a small cluster of fresh red cranberries, three plump red strawberries with green leaves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth deep red cranberry juice, a small white ceramic bowl containing warm brown ground cinnamon powder, and a small white ceramic bowl with light beige ground fresh ginger placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Banana: Adds natural sweetness and creaminess, making the smoothie smooth and easy to sip.
Fresh cranberries: Bring tartness and antioxidants, plus that vibrant red color that makes the smoothie so inviting.
Strawberries: Contribute a mild sweetness and fruity depth to balance the cranberries’ tang.
Cranberry Juice: Intensifies the cranberry flavor and provides a liquid base for blending.
Cinnamon (ground): Adds warmth and a comforting spice that pairs perfectly with the fruit.
Fresh ginger (ground): Gives a spicy kick and a little zing that livens up the entire drink.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This recipe is so forgiving that I love experimenting with small tweaks depending on what I’m in the mood for. You should feel free to adjust the spices or fruits to suit your taste buds.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the cranberry juice for apple juice for a sweeter twist, and it turns out delicious!
Dairy-Free Boost: Adding a scoop of your favorite plant-based yogurt can make your smoothie creamier and more filling.
Extra Spice: If you want a sharper ginger flavor, try fresh grated ginger instead of ground—it adds a lively freshness.
Frozen Fruit: Using frozen strawberries or bananas adds thickness and chills the smoothie without needing ice.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

I like to have everything ready before I start blending. Peel your banana, rinse the cranberries and strawberries, and measure out the cinnamon and ginger. This keeps things moving smoothly and avoids any last-minute scrambling.

Step 2: Blend All Ingredients Until Smooth

Pop all the ingredients into your blender—banana, cranberries, strawberries, cranberry juice, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Blend on high for about 30-60 seconds until everything is fully combined and silky smooth. If it’s too thick, add a splash more juice or water to reach your preferred consistency.

Top Tip

From my experience making this smoothie countless times, these tips will help you get it just right and avoid common pitfalls.

Use Ripe Bananas: They add the perfect amount of natural sweetness without needing extra sugar.
Don’t Skip the Spices: Cinnamon and ginger might seem small, but they transform the flavor completely—don’t be shy!
Blend Thoroughly: Make sure you blend until absolutely smooth, especially since cranberries have skins that can be a little tough.
Adjust Consistency Gradually: Add your liquid a little at a time to avoid a runny smoothie.

How to Serve Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe

Garnishes

My go-to garnishes are a sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top and a few fresh cranberries dropped in for a pretty, festive look. Sometimes I add a small twist of orange zest to brighten up the aroma.

Side Dishes

This smoothie pairs wonderfully with light breakfast options like whole-grain toast with almond butter or a simple bowl of oatmeal for a balanced morning meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I love serving this smoothie in clear glass mugs with a cinnamon stick for stirring—makes it feel cozy and elegant at the same time. It’s lovely at holiday brunches or after a wintery walk.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which might be rare, but hey, it happens), store the smoothie in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 24 hours for best freshness and flavor.

Freezing

I haven’t frozen this smoothie often because I prefer it fresh, but if you do freeze it, I suggest freezing in ice cube trays to add to smoothies later or thaw gently in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

This smoothie is best served cold, so reheating isn't usually necessary. If it thickens after sitting, just give it a quick blender spin with a splash of juice or water to refresh the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen cranberries in this recipe?

Absolutely! Using frozen cranberries works perfectly and can make your smoothie a little thicker and colder without adding ice. Just adjust the blending time accordingly to get a smooth texture.

Is the cinnamon and ginger flavor very strong?

Not at all. The amounts used in this Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe give a gentle warmth and spice to complement the fruit, but you can always adjust to your taste. Start small and add more if you want a bolder kick!

Can I make this smoothie dairy-free or vegan?

Yes! This recipe is naturally dairy-free and vegan as it doesn't call for any milk or yogurt, but if you want to add creaminess, you can include plant-based yogurts or milks with no issues.

What's the best time to enjoy this smoothie?

I find this Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe to be perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon pick-me-up, especially during colder months when you want a drink that's both refreshing and warming.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Smoothie with Ginger and Cinnamon Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen repertoire because it’s one of those recipes that feels vibrant, healthy, and a little indulgent all at once. I genuinely enjoy sharing this one because it’s so easy you can whip it up on a whim, yet it impresses with its unique flavor blend. Give it a try and see how quickly it can become your new seasonal favorite—you might even find yourself making it for company because it’s just that good!