Candy Cane Smoothie
Looking for a fun and festive way to sip the holidays? This dairy-free peppermint smoothie (aka candy cane smoothie) is creamy, minty, and full of cheerful holiday vibes. It’s made with frozen bananas for that perfect thick texture, a touch of dragonfruit for a pop of pink, and a hint of peppermint extract to make it taste just like a candy cane. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, a snack, or a holiday treat, it’s quick to whip up and totally delicious.
The best part? This smoothie is easy to customize and naturally sweet, so you can feel good about every sip. Top it with crushed candy canes, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or even some vegan whipped cream for extra festive fun. It’s a playful, colorful, and refreshing drink that’s perfect for cozy winter mornings or holiday gatherings. Get ready to blend up some holiday magic in a glass—it’s creamy, minty, and oh-so-fun!
It’s totally time to celebrate with the best holiday smoothie you’ve ever had (a tasty tie for flavor with this delicious holiday berry smoothie!) Even Santa’s elves are envious! Put on your Christmas stocking cap, slip into curly-toed slippers, and let’s get this jingle-bell beverage blendin’!
Why This Christmas Smoothie Recipe Is So Awesome
This peppermint smoothie is a total holiday delight that’s creamy, minty, and naturally sweet. With festive colors, fun crunch, and quick prep, it’s an easy way to sip some cheerful holiday magic!
- Creamy Holiday Bliss. Frozen bananas (like in this banana nice cream recipe) make this smoothie dreamy and thick, like a cozy winter treat in a glass. Every sip feels indulgent without any dairy fuss!
- Minty Fresh Peppermint Kick. A dash of peppermint extract gives it that classic holiday zing. It’s like a little candy cane party for your taste buds.
- Crunchy Candy Cane Fun. Topping it with crushed candy canes adds a playful crunch. It’s like a holiday sprinkled right into your drink.
- Bright, Festive, and Pretty. The dragonfruit gives it a cheerful pink hue that looks like holiday magic in a glass. Almost too pretty to sip… almost!
- Quick and Jolly. This smoothie whirls together in minutes, making it perfect for a busy morning or a festive snack. Instant holiday cheer, anytime!
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This candy cane smoothie has a cheerful color and fantastic flavor! How can you go wrong with such a delightful and dazzling drink?
- Frozen Banana – Give your smoothie a thick, creamy texture without needing dairy. Make sure your bananas are really ripe and frozen for that perfect smoothie texture. Use frozen mango for creaminess with a slightly different color and flavor.
- Plant Milk – Makes the smoothie easy to blend and keeps it nice and smooth. Unsweetened milk lets you control how sweet the smoothie is. Any plant-based milk works, or even coconut milk if you want it richer
- Dragonfruit – Adds a beautiful pink hue and a fun, festive look! A little goes a long way; it’s mostly for color. Use freeze-dried raspberries (also strawberries, or beets) for color if you can’t find dragonfruit.
- Agave Syrup – Balances the mint and makes the smoothie feel like a treat. Start with a small amount of agave nectar—you can always add more if needed. Substitute for coconut nectar, a few dates blended in, or maple syrup (though this is a stronger flavor).
- Peppermint Extract – Gives the smoothie that classic candy cane flavor we all love. Just a little goes a long way! Taste as you go; peppermint can easily become overpowering. You could also use a few fresh mint leaves blended in or a tiny drop of mint-flavored syrup.
- Vegan Candy Canes – Add a fun holiday crunch and extra peppermint flavor on top. They make the smoothie look super festive! Sprinkle them on right before serving so they stay crunchy. Crushed vegan chocolate peppermint bark, or finely chopped peppermint candies, works too. Our favorite vegan-friendly candy cane brands include: Spangler, Jolly Rancher, Brach’s, Jelly-Belly, and Sweet-Tart.
How to Make This Festive Candy Cane Treat
Making a peppermint smoothie is super quick and fun, and you only need a few simple ingredients. Follow these two easy steps to blend up a creamy, minty, and festive treat you’ll want to sip again and again!
Step 1: Crush the Candy Cane – Pop a candy cane in a plastic bag and smash it into tiny pieces with a rolling pin or heavy pan. Set it aside for topping later.
Step 2: Blend and Serve – Blend the frozen bananas, dragonfruit, plant milk, and extracts until smooth. Pour into glasses, sprinkle with the crushed candy cane, add a festive straw, and enjoy right away!
Serving Tips for Your Cool Peppermint Smoothie
Get the most out of your sweet peppermint smoothie with these fun and easy tips. From festive toppings to creative twists, you’ll discover ways to make every sip extra tasty and playful! Here are five of our most merry recommendations:
- Mini Marshmallow Snowstorm – Top your smoothie with tiny vegan marshmallows and a light dusting of crushed peppermint. It looks like a snowy, magical winter wonderland in a glass.
- Chocolate-Dipped Rim – Dip the edge of your glass in melted vegan chocolate and let it harden. Every sip gets a little chocolatey bite—it’s like a built-in garnish!
- Layered Peppermint Latte Style – Pour a layer of cooled espresso or coffee over your smoothie for a peppermint mocha effect. It adds a grown-up twist and a fun layered look.
- Holly Jolly Blended Bowl – For a thicker consistency, use a little less plant milk and scoop into a bright, festive bowl. Top with holiday nuts (like candied walnuts, macadamia nuts, or pistachios), finely shredded coconut (like snow!), and mini vegan chocolate chips. Consider arranging the tasty toppings into a sassy shape, such as a star, a smiling face, a peace sign, or a “V” for vegan.
- Party-Pleasing Smoothie Shots – Using small shot glasses (red or white would be super), pour out single servings of candy cane smoothie and present one to each guest along with a tasty appetizer. Our favorites include vegan burger tater tots, jalapeño poppers, or savory roasted chickpeas. The combination of sweet and cold, balanced with savory and hot, is incredibly delicious.
FAQs
Smoothies taste best fresh, but you can totally save leftovers or make one the night before and keep it in the fridge. Give it a quick blend in the morning with a little ice or extra frozen fruit—it’ll still be super tasty!
You sure can! If you pour the mixture directly into the trays and freeze it overnight (or for a few hours), all you need to do is throw the cubes into the blender and blend away! It helps to leave the cubes out at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before blending. Adding a splash of plant milk or water will assist the process, too.
No problem! You can easily omit the sweetener, but keep in mind that the bananas might not be quite sweet enough to balance out the peppermint flavor. You can also use unsweetened plant milk if added sugars are not part of your daily diet. Try using 1-2 soaked dates for a healthier option.
Don’t worry! If you can’t find frozen or fresh dragonfruit, feel free to use a drop or two of a vegan-friendly red dye or other red fruit (such as strawberry or raspberry). Just keep in mind that any other fruit will add a definite berry flavor to your smoothie. Another option is to use beet powder. Start with ¼ teaspoon and see how you like the color. Add more if you like a brighter pink color.
More Scrumptious Vegan Smoothie Recipes to Try
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Peppermint Candy Cane Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1½ cups sweetened vanilla almond or oat milk, (or plant-based milk of choice)
- 1-2 tablespoons agave nectar or sweetener of choice
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Scant ½ tablespoon frozen dragonfruit, (or ¼ teaspoon of freeze-dried dragonfruit)
- 1-2 vegan-friendly peppermint candy canes, optional
Instructions
- Add one of the candy canes to the plastic bag and seal well. Use a rolling pin or heavy pan to crush the candy cane into very small pieces. Put to the side for later.
- Add the frozen bananas, dragonfruit, plant-based milk, dragonfruit, and extracts into the blender. Blend for one minute or until smooth.
- Pour the finished smoothie into one large or two small glasses or mason jars. Sprinkle the tops with the crushed candy canes, add a pretty holiday straw, and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Dragonfruit Substitute – The dragonfruit works well because it gives a lovely pink color and sweetness, but not a particular flavor. Feel free to use a drop or two of a vegan-friendly red dye or other red fruit (such as strawberry or raspberry). Keep in mind that any other fruit will give a definite berry flavor to your smoothie, which might not be ideal. It’s totally up to you. Another option is to use beet powder. Start with ¼ teaspoon and see how you like the color. Add more if you like a brighter pink color.
- Smoothie Bowl Suggestion – Use only 1 cup of plant-milk for the recipe and pour into a bowl. Top with the crushed candy cane pieces, sliced banana, unsweetened coconut, chopped nuts, and any other holiday-inspired toppings that you wish.
- Dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free
Nutrition
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Leave a Comment
So good! I would have never thought to put dragon fruit into a smoothie for peppermint but this actually goes really well. I like to drink smoothies and the morning for breakfast so I added some vanilla ice landic yogurt. It tasted amazing.
We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂
So festive & fun!
I know I’m biased, but this is one of the best smoothie recipes I’ve concocted this year. I’m a huge peppermint fan and, even though it took a lot of trial and error for taste and color, I think it came out just the way I was hoping. Please give it a try! Thank you!!
Gina creates the most amazing smoothies!!! So good!
You’re the best, Bea!!! xoxox 😀
Wow! This is something special!
This smoothie totally blew me away. It is going to be my go-to holiday smoothie for December every year! YUM! You’ve gotta try it. You can also use peppermint extract in hot cocoa 🙂
This is such a festive and fun smoothie! Its always fun to surprise people with this delicious treat.
Thank you!! It is so delicious, perfect to share 🙂
So festive and delicious! Perfect for the holidays!
This is so perfect for the holidays!!!!