Photo credit: www.bustle.com
Growing up in the Midwest instilled in me a strong sense of practicality and an appreciation for frugality, where discount coupons are a staple. Transitioning to the high-cost lifestyle of New York in my 20s has been an adjustment. With rent and dining expenses often taking precedence over grocery shopping, my visits to the local Jewel-Osco have transformed into excursions at Trader Joe’s. This change highlights a stark contrast—I’m certainly not the ideal customer for Erewhon, a luxury grocery chain that thrives on high-end wellness trends.
Located solely in and around the Los Angeles area, Erewhon has been dubbed by some, including myself, as the “Wawa for influencers.” The store has garnered a reputation for its extravagant offerings, like hyper-oxygenated water and premium products—imagine paying $48 for a jar of artichoke hearts. In the realm of social media, Erewhon has become a hotspot for viral TikTok trends, showcasing extravagant lunch expenditures and uniquely concocted food items. Yet, it is the store’s collaborations with celebrities to create signature smoothies that truly elevate its status, attracting even those who don’t reside nearby.
Exploring the Erewhon Smoothie Phenomenon
The smoothie fad associated with Erewhon started a few years back, with Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Smoothie making waves upon its launch in June 2022. Since then, several notable figures, including Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bella Hadid, have joined the trend by introducing their personalized blends, all infused with superfoods like sea moss, chlorella, spirulina, and collagen.
Despite my reservations about investing $22 in a smoothie—even with a flexible budget for pricey drinks—curiosity got the better of me. As a dedicated and online-savvy journalist, I felt it was only fair to experience one of these celebrity-endorsed smoothies myself, especially considering the online acclaim they’ve received.
Instead of booking a flight to Los Angeles, I opted to recreate the Erewhon smoothie experience in my cozy studio apartment. I allocated a Saturday afternoon for the project and ‘strolled’ through the aisles virtually via Instacart. I had selected four recipes to try: the Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Smoothie, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short ‘N Sweet Smoothie, Kendall Jenner’s Peaches & Cream Smoothie, and Sofia Richie’s Sweet Cherry Smoothie.
Recreating the Smoothies at Home
Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Smoothie
**Ingredients:** Malk Organic Almond Milk, Strawberries, Banana, Sea Moss Gel, Liquid Hyaluronic Acid, Powdered Collagen, Coconut Cream, Dates, Avocado.
Starting with Hailey Bieber’s creation felt fitting, given her status as a contemporary trendsetter. I had a couple of stubborn breakouts and hoped that this nutrient-rich smoothie might offer some relief. As this was designed to promote her skincare line, Rhode, I was eager to see its effects. Although I decided against the liquid hyaluronic acid for taste reasons, I found the sea moss gel surprisingly refreshing and the blend reminiscent of childhood ice cream treats. It had a nostalgic simplicity that was both satisfying and enjoyable.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Short ‘N Sweet Smoothie
**Ingredients:** Malk Organic Vanilla Oat Milk, Coconut Water, Agent Nateur Holi (mane), Organic Blue Spirulina Powder, Honey, Mango, Pineapple, Tocos, Vanilla Collagen, Dates, Coconut Cream, Strawberries.
While I tried to adhere to Sabrina’s recipe, I quickly discovered that some of the ingredients were out of reach. Tocos was unattainable, and the premium price of Agent Nateur Holi (mane) gave me pause. Nevertheless, I focused on replicating the recipe as closely as possible. My efforts paid off, as the resulting drink had a delightful depth of flavor, blending sweetness from the fruits with the creaminess of oat milk and coconut water. The addition of blue spirulina not only added color but also enhanced its health benefits, prompting me to make this smoothie multiple times in a week.
Sofia Richie’s Sweet Cherry Smoothie
**Ingredients:** Malk Organic Unsweetened Almond Milk, Magnesium, Tart Cherry Juice, Colostrum, Calm Powder, Pure Maple Syrup, Pineapple, Avocado, Coconut Cream, Pitaya Powder.
Sofia Richie’s creation stood out for its tart cherry base, making it a unique choice among the sweeter options. The ingredients perfectly balanced each other, and I appreciated how the smooth texture of avocado combined with the tartness of cherry juice created a pleasant drinking experience. The magnesium and Calm Powder blend even aided my relaxation afterward, cementing its place as a favorite in my weekend lineup.
Kendall Jenner’s Peaches & Cream Smoothie
**Ingredients:** Peach Kombucha, Cocoyo Yogurt, Maple Syrup, Collagen Powder, Peaches, Goji Berries, Coconut Cream, Aloe Vera Juice, Electrolytes.
Having never sampled kombucha, I approached Kendall Jenner’s smoothie with both intrigue and skepticism. However, the combination of ingredients, including the frozen peaches and Cocoyo yogurt, melded into a smooth and flavorful blend that was more subtly sweet than anticipated, with aloe vera providing an enjoyable citrus twist.
Acknowledging the Erewhon Experience
Surprisingly, I found myself embracing the Erewhon smoothie culture. While I might not invest significantly in high-end grocery items, I’ve discovered a new appreciation for making healthy smoothies inspired by celebrity recipes in my New York City apartment. My exploration made it clear that these smoothies may very well live up to the ‘liquid gold’ reputation they’ve acquired.
With all the knowledge gathered from creating these smoothies—packed with ingredients like sea moss and colostrum—I can confidently say that they are worthwhile additions to one’s diet, and I doubt I’ll need to find myself on a flight to L.A. anytime soon. Perhaps one day, I’ll be fortunate enough to have a smoothie named in my honor at Erewhon. Are you listening, Erewhon?
Source
www.bustle.com