7 Refreshing Blended Drinks that Aren't Smoothies

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We know that commercial blenders are excellent for making smoothies and frappe drinks. But have you ever thought about all the other blended drinks you could be making?

Don’t let your high-performance blender sit idly on the bar or counter. Put its power to work! We have 7 ideas for some non-smoothie blended drinks to add to your menu.

1.     Blended Aguas Frescas

Fruit. Water. Sweetener. That’s pretty much all you need to make a delicious agua fresca, a cool blended drink that’s a staple in Mexico. You can also add herbs, infused syrups, and other flavorings, resulting in endless combinations. Also try watermelon, lime and mint; jalapeno and pineapple; or peach and rosewater. Blend, strain, and serve over ice.

2. Blended Dragonfruit Drink

This treat melds sweet and tart flavors. Experiment with flavors like mango juice and dragonfruit pieces to create something unique for your customers. It’s lighter than a smoothie but more substantial than juice, thanks to the addition of creamy coconut. Best of all, it’s an irresistible shade of magenta!

3. Blended Neer Mor

What is neer mor? Translated from Tamil, it means “watery buttermilk.” But it’s much more complex than that: neer mor often includes lemon, cilantro, mint, chilis and spices. It’s served with tadka: mustard seeds, curry leaves and hing (asafoetida) toasted in oil. Traditionally made with a wooden whisk, these summertime coolers take to blending as well.

4. Blended Matcha Latte

Matcha’s global popularity continues to rise as more consumers seek out drinks that promote wellness. But does matcha — a specially grown powdered green tea — really as healthy as it sounds? Yes and no. It is high in antioxidants and L-theanine. If you have a health-conscious customer base, try offering matcha blended with almond milk and minimal sweetener.

5. Blended Bone Broth

While sipping hot broth has been part of many cultural traditions for thousands of years, it went mainstream in the mid 2010s with the rise of the paleo diet. Bone broth, with amino acids, minerals and collagen extracted from simmering bones, continues to be popular for its health benefits and as a comforting cold-weather pick-me-up.

Blended bone broth drinks have more flavor than broth alone. Blending emulsifies fats for a heartier, more savory taste. You can make broth richer by blending with cream and/or butter. If you’re using powdered broth instead of fresh, blending is the best way to incorporate the powder for smooth results. You can even blend in veggies, such as carrot, celery, onion and mushroom, for a satisfying, drinkable soup.

6. Blended Hot Chocolate

Hot cocoa is delicious no matter how you make it, but blending adds new dimensions of creaminess and froth. Blending works especially well for:

  • No-sugar/vegan hot chocolate that includes cocoa powder, dates, cashews or other ingredients you can’t easily stir in

  • Hot chocolate with peanut butter or other nut butter

  • Hot chocolate made with chocolate chips or grated chocolate

  • Frozen hot chocolate

7. Blended Almond Milk

Blended almond milk is creamier and has a mellow flavor compared to the packaged kind. For this reason, coffee shops and cafés may want to give it a whirl.

The process is easy:

  • Soak almonds in water for 12-48 hours. Longer soaking makes a creamier milk.

  • Drain and rinse.

  • Blend with fresh water in a high-performance blender.

  • Strain out the almond meal and sweeten, if desired.

Which one of these blended drinks are you gonna try first? When you’re ready, contact your Fischer Group sales rep to learn more about high powered blenders from Hamilton Beach Commercial.

Blog post adapted from Hamilton Beach Commercial.