Lemon Blueberry Smoothie with Fresh Rosemary

The combination of lemons and blueberries offers something quite wonderful. Throw in a hint of fresh rosemary with a drizzle of golden honey and you’ve got one uniquely delicious and frosty beverage!

Lemons and blueberries seem perfect for a little refresh on this first weekend of spring.

Meyer lemons are still in season and bring a milder, slightly sweet lemon tang. Believed to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange they are not as tart as their bright yellow counterpart. If you can’t find Meyer lemons or you like that intense lemon flavor you can certainly use the more commonly found variety, just add a touch more honey if needed to satisfy your taste buds.

And the blueberries have been so wonderful this year – even as early as late January they were plump and sweet. I loaded up and luckily had a batch sitting in the freezer just waiting to add the right chill to this smoothie. Substituting frozen fruit for some of the ice cubes gives this or any frozen drink a more intense flavor.

Then there’s the herbal twist – rosemary. A member of the mint family, rosemary is always on my patio. This evergreen scented herb is a well-known ingredient in savory dishes but it can also add a beautiful floral note to recipes with fruit. If your palate is sensitive, start with half the amount. Rosemary is a lot like lavender, it can quickly take over.

Beautiful flavors ranging from subtly sweet to lightly tangy with notes of honey and rosemary to highlight the lemon and blueberries. A little zesting, a bit of juicing, and a quick chop or two. Pull up a chair, have a sip and welcome the new season!

Lemon Blueberry Smoothie with Fresh Rosemary

¼ cup honey, or enough to suit your taste

2 teaspoons lemon zest, about 2 large lemons

½ cup Meyer lemon juice, about 2 to 3 large lemons*

½ to 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

3 cups blueberries, frozen

¾ cup sparkling lemonade, such as Lorina French Soda or Sanpellegrino

1 cup of ice

*Note: If Meyer lemons aren’t available, you can use any lemons in the market.

Pour the honey into a blender. Add the lemon zest along with the lemon juice.

Toss in ½ teaspoon of the chopped rosemary.

Toss in the frozen blueberries and pour in the sparkling lemonade.

Add the ice and process on low speed for about 20 to 30 seconds, then on high for about 1 to 2 minutes or until the drink is smooth and well blended. If you’re using a Vitamix, use the smoothie setting. You can add more lemonade if you like a smoothie that’s not as thick. Add more honey and rosemary to suit your taste.

Makes 2 large drinks.