It's the time of year when we must pay for the sins of the past few months. Gone are the days of endless cookie trays, cheese platters for miles and punch bowls full of booze. In their place are gym memberships, yoga classes and, of course, juices and smoothies.
In order to make your life a bit easier, we rounded up a few of our favorite juice joints around town to get you back on the bandwagon and well on your way toward bathing suit season (which is March).
JuiceLand — Barton Springs (the original)
1625 Barton Springs Road
512-480-9501
Juiceland now has six locations around Austin, but this funky storefront is the original. Whether you're up north or down south, get the JuiceLand treatment with smoothies and juices made from the fresh, organic and local ingredients. Try one of the many refreshing aguas frescas or take a shot of wheatgrass, gogi or aloe vera. JuiceLand also offers three levels of juice cleanses, including Revive at Level 1, Renew at Level 2 and Purify at Level 3, that will kickstart you into a healthier lifestyle.
1104 East Sixth Street
512-800-5553
Located dangerously close to the CultureMap office, Gonzo has been our go-to for juices, smoothies and delicious salads. Pick up the California Bubba (banana, blueberry, almond milk, almond butter) or the Berry Funny (banana, blueberry, strawberry, apple juice). In the mood for something a little more filling? Try the Saddle Bag. This tasty treat will make you wonder why all salads don't come with Fritos on top.
2801 South Lamar Boulevard
512-444-7687
What started as a bicycle soup delivery service, The Juicebox and Soup Peddler now specializes in all things liquid, offering some of the freshest and most inventive smoothie and juice combinations in town. The beverages are as delicious as they are charmingly-named, with choices like After-School Special, Red Dawn, Pulp Friction, and Busy Bee. Grab a smoothie on the go, or hang out at the picnic tables and soak in the South Austin vibe.
Blenders and Bowls
206 East 4th Street
512-502-5184
Connected to Wanderlust yoga studio, Blenders and Bowls is the perfect place to recharge if you find yourself downtown and looking for a juice fix. Billed as "Austin's first açaí bar," most of Blenders and Bowls' smoothie options come with an extra punch of the superfood. Want some greens? Grab the Healthy Hulk with strawberry, banana, spinach, ginger, apple juice and orange juice. Want some a bit more dessert-esque? Grab the Legend with açaí, banana, blueberries, peanut butter and chocolate almond milk.
The Juice Bar
1807 W. Slaughter Lane, Suite 475
512-280-0884
One of the few juice and smoothie options in South Austin, the Juice Bar blends up fresh options, including special pre- and post-workout blends. Since everything is made fresh to order, to expect a bit of wait during peak hours. Need to detox? Grab the Source of Power which comes with apple juice, orange juice, banana, kale, strawberry and wheat germ. Want something to help treat a bout of cedar fever? Grab The Antioxidant packed with grape juice, blueberry, strawberry and resveratrol.
JuiceLand —Hyde Park (formerly the Daily Juice)
4500 Duval Street
512-380-9046
Stepping into the Hyde Park JuiceLand is an experience for the mind, body, and soul. This groovy juice joint, complete with a meditation room and outdoor patio, prides itself on natural, organic superfoods that not only taste great, but leave you feeling rejuvenated and restored. What seems like an infinite list of smoothie and juice choices can be daunting, but the knowledgeable staff will be happy to offer suggestions and answer questions.
Whole Foods Market (Flagship)
525 North Lamar Boulevard
512-476-1206
There's no better way to recharge after an active afternoon on Lady Bird Lake than downing a smoothie or juice at Whole Foods Market on Lamar. Surround yourself with other hip and healthy Austinites, take in the view from the outdoor patio, and maybe even pick a few things up for dinner. The juice is squeezed-to-order so it takes a while to prepare, giving you time to shop while you wait to avoid ten minutes of toe-tapping.
2300 Guadalupe Street #100
512-275-0290
Jamba Juice may be a national chain, but it's great for quick, quality smoothies just as delicious as those blended in our favorite local spots. The location on The Drag is the perfect stop on the way to class, and with Jamba Juices scattered around Austin, you probably don't have to go far to find one. Sometimes you just want a smoothie without the fuss, so order that Mango-a-go-go with pride and carry on.
The Juice Bar in South Austin also bottles juices for cleanses.
