The base of a smoothie is the thing most people don't think about, and it's one of the things that makes the biggest difference. The fruit gets the attention, but the liquid is what holds everything together, changes the texture, and either amplifies or mutes the flavour of what you've put in.
Oat milk: the all-rounder ¶
Oat milk has a mild, slightly sweet flavour that works with almost everything. It adds a little creaminess without being heavy, and it doesn't compete with the fruit. We use it as the default base for most of our smoothies, including the Stone & Gold and the Morning Bowl blend. If you're not sure what to ask for, oat milk is almost always the right answer.
Coconut milk: for richness ¶
Coconut milk adds a noticeable richness and a faint tropical flavour. It works well with berry blends and anything that benefits from a little fat to round it out. We use it in the Dark Berry smoothie because the coconut softens the sharpness of the blackcurrant. It's not the right base for a green smoothie, where the flavour can clash with the greens.
Water: when you want the fruit to speak ¶
Some smoothies are better with water as the base, particularly when the fruit is very ripe and flavourful and you don't want anything getting in the way. The Watermelon Noon uses no dairy and no milk alternative, just watermelon, lime, and mint. Adding oat milk to it would make it heavier and muffle the clean, cold taste that makes it work in summer.
What about juice as a base? ¶
We occasionally use a small amount of apple juice or orange juice as part of the liquid in a blend, but we're careful with it because juice adds sugar quickly. A splash of apple juice in a green smoothie can balance bitterness without making it sweet. A full cup of orange juice as the base tips the whole thing into dessert territory, which is not what most people are after at 8 a.m.
How to ask for what you want ¶
When you come to the bar, you can always ask to swap the base in any smoothie. If the Pale Morning is listed with water and you'd like it creamier, ask for oat milk. If the Stone & Gold feels too rich, ask for it with water instead. We'll tell you honestly if we think the swap won't work, but usually it does.
Questions about ingredients or what's in a specific drink? Come in and ask, or send a message through how to find us and we'll answer before your next visit.