Berry Almond Butter Smoothie: A St. Thomas-Inspired Recipe
Written By Jenny White | The Kai Life • Posted on May 23, 2026
This delicious berry almond butter smoothie recipe was entirely inspired by a stop to Northside Grind near Magen’s Bay during a recent escape to St. Thomas, USVI. It takes me back to the flavors of the island every time I make it!
The Very Berry Smoothie (Berry Almond Butter Smoothie) at Northside Grind St. Thomas.
Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
I’ve been eating plant based since 2008, and smoothies are a staple part of my daily diet. I love them as a way to pack protein, greens and fresh fruit into my body first thing in the morning.
As a beach girl and travel lover, even though finding vegan food can sometimes be tough when I’m on the road – I pretty much always have luck with smoothies. I love discovering new smoothie combos during my travels to places like Hawaii, Belize, Puerto Rico – and the Virgin Islands – then recreating the recipes at home to relive my trips.
On my first trip to the USVI, my husband and I spent a week touring the stunning beaches and eating our way through St. Thomas and St. John. We actually had really great luck finding vegan food during this trip, and one of our favorite spots to discover was Northside Grind.
Northside Grind, St. Thomas just outside of Magen’s Bay. Image Source : Jenny white, The Kai Life
They had a ton of plant based options on the menu – sandwiches, toasts, burritos and smoothies. It was hard to decide, but I went for their “Very Berry” smoothie (berry almond butter smoothie), and was instantly obsessed!
Berry Almond Butter Smoothie
I tasted this combination for the first time on a warm Caribbean morning with the breeze blowing through the palms as we sat outside at Northside Grind. It was sunny out, we were so happy to find so many plant-based options – and we had plans to spend the day bouncing beach to beach. Life was pretty much perfect!
Dining al fresco at Northside Grind, USVI. Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
The vibrant tartness of the berries in this smoothie perfectly cuts through the dense, rich undertones of the almond butter. Unlike overly sweet fruit blends, it’s perfectly balanced – and the chia seeds give it a great texture.
Recreating the Berry Almond Butter Smoothie at home. Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
The secret to why this specific pairing works so well is because of the contrast of the ingredients. Berries bring a bright refresh that wakes up the palate, while the nutty, earthy depth of the almond butter grounds the entire drink and adds in a lot of nutrients. It honestly takes just like a PBJ to me!
Recreating this smoothie at home has allowed me to capture that exact, refreshing contrast that I fell in love with about this smoothie. Each time I make it, the flavor takes me right back to that morning sitting outside at Northside Grind.
Healthy Smoothie Ingredients
As someone who has been plant-based for nearly two decades, I view my morning smoothie as much more than just a quick breakfast. For me, it’s one of the first opportunities of the day to fuel my body with high-quality nutrients, clean proteins, and healthy fats that set the tone for my entire day.
The simple, clean ingredients that I used for this smoothie recipe. Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
To recreate that St. Thomas goodness at home while maximizing the nutritional value, I selected a targeted list of whole-food ingredients that balance exceptional flavor with functional benefits. Here is exactly what you will need to pull this nutrient-dense blend together:
Almond Milk: Serves as the smooth, creamy liquid base that mimics the original Northside Grind texture without heavy additives. I love the Califia Farms brand of plant based milks, and used their Organic Almond Milk in this smoothie.
My almond milk of choice. Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
Vanilla Protein Powder: My smoothie in St. Thomas didn’t come with any protein, but I wanted to add in more protein at home. I always use the Om brand of plant-based protein powder for a clean, plant-based protein boost combined with functional organic mushrooms to support all-day focus and sustained energy.
I store my Om protein powders in glass containers. Image Source: Jenny White, The Kai Life
Frozen Berries (Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries): This specific trio provides a deep, rich color and a concentrated dose of cell-protecting antioxidants and natural fiber.
A bowl of frozen berries. Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
Fresh Raspberries: I love tossing a handful of fresh berries to this smoothie to add a bright pop of tart flavor to the final blend. It was the raspberries that stood out to me most in the flavors of this one in St. Thomas, so adding more was obviously the right choice here.
Almond Butter: The almond butter delivers those healthy fats and essential minerals … but I really love this ingredient as a way to thicken the smootie and fill you up.
Almond Butter. Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
Chia Seeds: Packed with plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, they naturally expand to give this smoothie an incredibly thick, texture and help you to stay hydrated.
I store my Chia Seeds in glass containers. Image Source : Jenny White, The Kai Life
Flax Seeds: Another fantastic source of essential fats and dietary fiber that supports digestion and keeps you feeling full until lunch.
I store my Flax Seeds in glass containers. Image Source : Jenny white, The Kai Life
Agave: A few teaspoons of agave perfectly draws out the natural sweetness of the berries. It’s a simple way to contrast the savory richness of the almond butter.
This smoothie is full of nutrient-dense ingredients that transforms this simple recipe into a power-packed meal. It kept me going all day as we bounced around to different beaches – and at home, it’s one of my favorite recipes to make when I have a busy day on the go.
The Recipe : St. Thomas-Inspired Berry Almond Butter Smoothie
Drop your ingredients into a high-powered blender and get ready to transport your morning routine straight to the USVI with this easy, vibrant recipe.
Berry Almond Butter Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Almond Milk
- 2 tbsp Vanilla Protein Powder
- 1/2 cup Almond Butter
- 1/2 cup Frozen Raspberries
- 1/2 cup Frozen Blueberries
- 1/2 cup Frozen Blackberries
- 1/2 cup Fresh Raspberries I add these as an extra for more raspberry pop
- 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
- 1 tbsp Flax Seeds
- 2-3 tsps Agave
Instructions
Step 1 : Add Your Liquid Base
- Especially when I'm adding protein powder, I always start with my liquid base. Remember that a thick smoothie means less liquid – I love starting on the conservative side, and add more if needed. I find this smoothie is perfect with 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups of almond milk (for 2 servings).
Step 2 : Add All Other Ingredients
- Add protein powder, frozen and fresh berries, almond butter, chia and flax seeds, and agave to the blender.
Step 3 : Blend
- Run your blender until you see that clover shape when you look down at it. Play with the texture by adding more almond milk if your mix is too thick.
Step 4: Enjoy!
- That's all there is to it – pour, cheers and enjoy!
Notes
Final Thoughts: Berry Almond Butter Smoothie: A St. Thomas-Inspired Recipe
I’ve enjoyed this smoothie so much since returning from the USVI. Each time I drink it, I think of our morning at Northside Grind. I can’t wait to go back someday!
Whether you’re fueling up for a busy day on the go, or just craving a little taste of island life, this smoothie delivers the perfect balance of nutrition and nostalgia. It’s a beautiful reminder that healthy, plant-based choices can taste incredibly indulgent.
I hope you love it too, and that it brings a little bit of that St. Thomas sunshine to your morning kitchen!
