Pomegranate Mint Smoothie

One of the (many, many) things I loved about living in Israel was the delicious street vendors. Falafel obviously was a favorite, right up there with shawarma. Corn was also popular. In my city there was a street vendor that sold it by the cob but there is also a popular chain with it by the cup with all kinds of fun toppings. And then of course there were the pastries, the knafeh and bourekas. So very tasty. Another thing I loved though was all the smoothie and fresh juice places.

This smoothie is based off some of the delicious flavors popular in the middle east, the pomegranate and of course the mint. That was the first time I had tried limonana and it is seriously amazing. It pares just as beautifully with pomegranate and raspberries as it does with mint.

Because pomegranate juice isn't very sweet, and all the berries really aren't this time of year either I opted for some apple juice concentrate for sweetener but feel free to use sugar or honey to taste, add more, or leave it out if your fruit is really ripe.

3 c. pomegranate juice
1 (16 oz.) bag frozen mixed berries
1/4 apple juice concentrate
1 (6 oz.) package fresh raspberries
1 1/2 oz. fresh mint

Combine the pomegranate juice and mint leaves in a blender and puree until the mint is really well blended in. Don't add any of the other ingredients until the mint is blended in or it doesn't mix in as well and add as much flavor. 

Once the mint and pomegranate juice is blended add the fresh berries, frozen berries, and apple juice concentrate and blend until smooth. 

Enjoy!!