What Does Jamba Juice Use in Their Smoothies?

December 16, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2018 class action lawsuit, many Jamba Juice smoothies rely heavily on juice concentrates, sherbets, and other ingredients rather than only the whole fruits and vegetables as advertised. This article uncovers exactly what does Jamba Juice use in their smoothies, from the whole fruits and greens to the less-publicized base ingredients.

Quick Summary

Jamba Juice smoothies contain a variety of ingredients, including frozen whole fruits, juice blends from concentrate, and other additives like sherbet, protein powder, and dairy products. The exact composition varies by menu item, but most rely on a combination of these elements to achieve their signature flavor and consistency.

Key Points

Frozen Fruit is a Core Component: Frozen items like strawberries, mangoes, and bananas are fundamental for texture and flavor in many Jamba smoothies.
Juice Concentrates are Common: Many recipes use juice blends from concentrate, often featuring pear and white grape juice, to sweeten and bulk up the drink, rather than relying solely on whole fruit.
Sherbet and Yogurt Provide Creaminess: Classic blends incorporate dairy ingredients like sherbet and frozen yogurt, though dairy-free options are now widely available.
Custom Boosts Are Available: Consumers can add various nutrient boosts, including protein powders, vitamins, and energy supplements.
Hidden Sugars May Be Present: The use of juice blends and sherbet means that some smoothies can contain high amounts of sugar, despite their healthy image.
Greens and Vegetables are Included: Options are available that incorporate kale and spinach for a nutritional boost.
Recipe Transparency Has Increased: Following a lawsuit, Jamba has been more transparent and expanded its menu to include more whole-food and plant-based options.

Core Ingredients in Jamba Juice Smoothies

At the heart of Jamba Juice's menu is a carefully curated combination of ingredients, which go beyond simple whole fruits. For years, the company has blended a mix of frozen fruit, juice concentrates, and proprietary sherbets to achieve its distinctive taste and texture. While many smoothies are rich in fruit content, others have historically relied on less expensive juice blends as their primary base. Over time, however, the company has added more health-conscious options with whole food ingredients, plant-based milks, and boosts.

The Role of Fruits and Juices

Frozen fruit is a fundamental component of Jamba Juice smoothies, providing the thick, cold base that customers expect. Common frozen fruits include strawberries, mangoes, bananas, and peaches. These are often combined with various juices, but a class action lawsuit highlighted that many of these are juice blends from concentrate, typically pear or white grape juice, rather than 100% of the featured fruit. This practice adds sweetness and body without the nutritional benefits of the whole fruit's fiber. For example, the Caribbean Passion smoothie has a "Passion Fruit-Mango Juice Blend" that doesn't contain whole passion fruit, orange, or mango.

Other Dairy and Non-Dairy Bases

Jamba Juice uses a variety of dairy and non-dairy bases depending on the smoothie recipe. Classic smoothies traditionally incorporate sherbet, frozen yogurt, or dairy yogurt for creaminess and flavor. The company offers several sherbet flavors, such as pineapple, raspberry, and orange, which are key to recreating the signature taste of popular blends. For customers seeking dairy-free options, Jamba now offers alternatives like almond milk, vanilla coconut milk, and oat milk.

Nutrient Boosts and Add-Ins

In addition to the main ingredients, Jamba Juice provides several optional add-ins and boosts to customize a smoothie's nutritional profile. These allow customers to tailor their drink for specific health goals, such as increasing protein intake or adding extra vitamins. Some popular boosts include:

Protein Powder: Options like whey and soy protein are available to create a more filling, muscle-building beverage.
3G Energy Boost: This blend is designed to provide an energy lift.
Daily Vitamin + Zinc: A daily vitamin boost can be added for extra nutritional support.
Ginger: Adds a spicy kick and is known for anti-inflammatory properties.
Blue Spirulina: A nutrient-dense algae that gives certain smoothies their vibrant color.
Kale and Spinach: For those wanting more vegetables, these are popular add-ins to boost nutrients without drastically changing the flavor.

The Impact on Nutrition

While marketing emphasizes fruits and vegetables, the reliance on juice concentrates and sherbet means many Jamba smoothies contain significant amounts of sugar. A lawsuit claimed that some smoothies contain added sugars and corn syrup, which the company has since addressed by focusing on more transparent ingredients and healthier options. The inclusion of whole fruits and vegetables is a positive, but consumers looking for lower-sugar alternatives should be mindful of recipes that rely on juice blends rather than whole ingredients. Customizing your order by asking for less sugar or opting for dairy-free milks can help create a healthier, more balanced drink.

Recreating Jamba Juice Smoothies at Home

Recreating Jamba Juice's distinct flavor at home is possible, but requires an understanding of their typical formulas. A simple recipe often involves frozen fruits, a juice base (like apple or white grape juice), and a creamy element like sherbet or frozen yogurt. The key is to find the right balance of these components to achieve a similar taste and texture. For example, a copycat Razzmatazz smoothie uses frozen strawberries, raspberry juice, orange sherbet, and frozen bananas. The inclusion of a frozen banana is a common trick to add creaminess and bulk without extra dairy.

Jamba Juice vs. Homemade Smoothies: A Comparison


Feature	Jamba Juice Smoothies	Homemade Smoothies
Convenience	Fast and easy to grab on the go.	Requires ingredient preparation and blending.
Ingredient Control	Limited control over exact ingredients and sugars.	Full control over every ingredient; can choose 100% whole fruits.
Cost	More expensive, especially for customized options.	Often more affordable, as ingredients can be bought in bulk.
Nutritional Profile	Varies widely; some are high in sugar from juices and sherbet.	Can be optimized for specific health goals (e.g., low sugar, high protein).
Customization	Standard menu with limited, preset boosts and modifications.	Endless possibilities for adding proteins, greens, seeds, and more.

Conclusion: Decoding the Blend

Understanding what Jamba Juice uses in their smoothies reveals that the iconic taste and texture come from a combination of whole and processed ingredients. While the company has moved towards offering healthier, more transparent options, many classic recipes rely on fruit juice concentrates and sherbets in addition to the frozen fruits. Knowing this allows consumers to make more informed choices, either by customizing their orders in-store or by recreating their favorite blends at home with healthier, whole-food alternatives. The shift towards plant-based milks and specific boosts also demonstrates Jamba's adaptation to consumer demands for greater nutritional transparency.

The Ingredients Behind the Blend: Jamba Juice Explored

Fruit Ingredients: Jamba Juice prominently features frozen fruits such as strawberries, bananas, mangoes, and peaches in many of their recipes, providing flavor and a thick, cold texture.
Juice Bases: Many smoothies use fruit juice blends from concentrate, often with pear and white grape juice as a base, which adds sweetness and volume but also contributes to the sugar content.
Sherbet and Yogurt: For classic, creamy smoothies, Jamba uses various sherbets (like orange, pineapple, and raspberry) and frozen or non-fat yogurt.
Dairy-Free Alternatives: The menu includes non-dairy options such as almond milk, oat milk, and vanilla coconut milk to cater to different dietary needs.
Nutrient Boosts: Optional add-ins like whey or soy protein powder, 3G Energy boosts, vitamins, and supplements like blue spirulina are available for an extra nutritional punch.
Green Ingredients: Specific smoothies, like the Apple 'n Greens, include vegetables such as kale and spinach to boost nutrient intake.
Added Sugars: While Jamba has shifted towards healthier items, some products may contain added sugars from juice blends or sherbets, which can impact the overall sugar count.
Ice: For many recipes, ice is added to achieve the desired slushy and cold consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

The liquid base often includes fruit juice blends made from concentrate, typically pear and white grape juice, but can also feature dairy options like milk, frozen yogurt, or non-dairy milks such as almond milk and coconut milk.

Yes, Jamba Juice uses real, frozen fruit in their smoothies, including staples like strawberries, mangoes, and bananas. However, these are often combined with juice blends from concentrate, so not all fruit flavor comes from whole fruit.

The healthiness of a Jamba Juice smoothie varies by recipe. Many contain fruit and vegetables, but the presence of juice concentrates and sherbet means some can be high in sugar and calories. Customizing your order with more whole foods and less sugar can improve its nutritional value.

Yes, Jamba Juice offers a wide variety of dairy-free options. Many classic smoothies can be modified with non-dairy milks like almond or oat milk, or you can choose from their selection of dedicated dairy-free drinks.

Jamba Juice offers both whey and soy protein boosts that can be added to smoothies to increase their protein content, which is popular for post-workout recovery.

Some Jamba Juice recipes contain added sugars, particularly from sherbet and juice blends derived from concentrate. Healthier, lower-sugar options are also available on the menu.

To make a copycat smoothie at home, start with frozen fruit, a juice base (like pear or apple juice), and a creamy element such as sherbet, frozen yogurt, or a frozen banana. You can also add protein powder or other boosts to replicate the Jamba recipe.