I Stole This Weirdly Delicious Green Garlic Smoothie From A Posh Wellness Retreat

At Miraval Arizona's smoothie and juice bar, everything is free. Or rather, unlimited smoothies and fresh-pressed juices are included in your $900+ room rate, along with dozens of classes from aerial drumming and aroma flow yoga to workshops on quantum consciousness.

I was determined to get my money's worth at this high-end spa resort, so I jam-packed my schedule such that a sit-down breakfast was not really an option. Instead, I ran by the smoothie bar and double-fisted smoothies and vegan banana bread to fuel my morning wellness routine in between a sunrise hike and morning meditation.  

One smoothie in particular caught my eye – The Cure. What will it cure? Heartbreak? Grief? Chronic illness? These are all reasons that people come to Miraval, seeking solace during difficult times and through life transitions.

It seemed like a fairly innocuous green smoothie, with fistfuls of spinach and kale, all organic of course. But along with coconut water and maple syrup as sweeteners, there was a secret ingredient in each glass that I'd never before seen in a smoothie: a fresh clove of garlic.Maybe it's a cure for vampires.

Well, vampires begone! I was here for it. It seemed to be one of the most popular smoothies on the menu among Miraval regulars. Skeptical but curious, and with nothing to lose (one 12 oz. serving is only 80 calories), I took a sip of the refreshing green concoction and became immediately obsessed. The sharpness from the garlic woke me up more quickly than a shot of espresso and the pungent flavor was unmistakably garlicky, serving as a bright contrast against the subtly sweet and earthy drink.

Back home, I'll admit I'm not nearly as mindful as I should be. I have returned to bad habits like staying up too late, checking my phone in the middle of the night, and eating meals hunched over my computer. But the one thing I did bring back is the easy recipe for this garlicky green smoothie, and it's become my favorite way to start my day.