If you’ve felt like smoothies have gotten suspiciously expensive, you’re not wrong. We now live in a world where $17 blends with spirulina and collagen are a bit too normal—especially if you’re shopping somewhere like Erewhon. These LA luxury grocery stores aren’t just health havens; they’ve become known for their celebrity-backed smoothies, like Hailey Bieber’s now-famous Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie loaded with sea moss, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. I’ve even heard of hotels licensing the rights to serve these viral drinks in their lounges. This is not your average fruit smoothie.
While I don’t splurge often, I’ve definitely noticed the growing hype. Back in college, there was always a long line at the açai bowl truck that parked near the far quad (sometimes rivaling the line when Raising Cane’s opened). I never totally got the appeal or the price, but it was clearly a thing. And this wasn’t even in LA or New York—it was in east central Illinois, where smoothie prices still capped around $12 back then.
Now that I live in New York, I’ve become even more curious about these bright, pastel-toned blends full of natural ingredients and vitamins. So when I heard about a new limited-edition smoothie collab between SunLife Organics and jewelry designer Kendra Scott, I jumped at the chance to try it.
If you don’t recognize her name immediately, you’ve definitely seen her necklaces. Kendra Scott is the name behind the billion-dollar lifestyle brand, with multiple generations of women wearing her designs. Here’s everything you need to know about her summer smoothie and whether it’s worth $20.
What Is SunLife Organics?
SunLife Organics is a buzzy smoothie and wellness bar with a ton of locations in California—and plenty in other cities, too. I hadn’t been before, but I visited their newly opened SoHo outpost to try the collab and was impressed from the start. The corner spot is just a few blocks from some of the city’s best shopping and definitely pulls in the post-Pilates crowd in their cutest activewear.
The aesthetic is full California sunshine—bright yellows, pinks, and neon signage—plus a vibe that screams “you should be on vacation.” (The personalized luggage tag they handed out didn’t hurt.) Whether you're a regular or a first-timer, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger and maybe rethink your go-to smoothie order.
What’s in the Kendra Scott Smoothie?
The Paradise Glow Smoothie is available at all SunLife Organics locations from June 21 through July 31 and costs around $20 for a 20-ounce cup (see all store locations here). The base is fruity and tropical, with ingredients like:
• Mango
• Coconut cream
• Coconut sorbet
• Passion fruit
• Dragon fruit
• Pineapple juice
• Almond milk
But that’s just the start. It also includes functional add-ins like collagen and colostrum, plus vitamins C, NAD+, and CoQ10, all designed to support skin, energy, and overall glow.
My Honest Review
I’ll be real—my photos don’t totally do it justice. It was nearly 100 degrees in New York the day I visited, and trying to get a cute outdoor shot meant the smoothie started melting fast. But that aside, it actually tasted really good—and I’m not usually a tropical smoothie person.
My usual order leans more peanut butter-berry (think raspberry, blueberry, maybe some greens). This one was lighter, sweeter, and way more fruit-forward. What stood out most was how layered it was—not just in flavor, but in texture. There were distinct pockets of coconut sorbet, a froyo-like swirl of coconut cream, and a semi-frozen dragon fruit scoop that added a nice bite. I liked that it was a sorbet-like taste and consistency.
Was it better than what I’d make at home? Yes. It had the layers and bright flavor I can never quite get but maybe I need a better blender.
Now, the question you’re wondering: Is it worth $20? I think you already know the answer. Let’s be honest: no smoothie is truly worth $20 in a practical sense—especially if you’re someone like me who’s pretty frugal and doesn’t drink them often. I personally find these places a bit overrated, and I do think it’s more of an experience—to buy it, to say you tried it, and all that. But if you love smoothies, tropical flavors, or anything wellness-adjacent, this one might be for you. I will say their store is really cute and they do have a huge menu, so I’d recommend checking it out. If nothing else, stop by and get inspiration for what to blend up next.
What's the max price you'd pay for a smoothie? Curious to know!
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