A green spinach smoothie is one of the easiest ways to squeeze a serving of leafy greens into your day without sacrificing flavor. Banana and apple bring natural sweetness and a pleasantly thick texture, while cucumber keeps the drink light and refreshing, which is especially nice on warmer days.

Spinach barely registers on the palate in this combination — the sweet fruit completely covers up its grassy notes, while the smoothie still keeps its vivid green color and the nutritional upside of leafy greens: fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and a bit of iron. That’s exactly why this kind of smoothie is often the first step for people who want to eat more vegetables but aren’t quite ready for a salad at breakfast.

Lemon juice does double duty here — it adds a bright, tart edge and slows down the browning of the apple and banana once blended. The honey is entirely optional; if the fruit is ripe and sweet enough on its own, you can skip it and still end up with a tasty drink that has less added sugar.

This smoothie is best enjoyed right after blending, while the texture is smooth and the color is at its brightest. If you need to make it ahead, keep it in the fridge for no more than a few hours and give it a good shake or stir before serving.