Two scoops of frozen strawberries, one cup liquid yogurt and a handful of ice. Blend for 20 seconds and serve.
To economics majors, this recipe is genius for financial success -- more than 3,000 smoothies are sold on Grounds each week -- but to most students at the University, eager to use those bountiful plus dollars or charge to that daddy-funded Cavalier Advantage account, these are the makings of a tasty afternoon treat.
"When you see the smoothie coming up the straw, it brightens your day," first-year Engineering student Josh Stephens said.
A vast majority of these hastily-blended, habit-forming cups originate behind the counter of the umlaut-riddled Freshens Smoothie stand in the Pav. The Smoothie King at Barracks Roads also competes for a share in the growing novelty drink market.
The popularity of smoothies, arguably the unofficial non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage of choice among University students, may be an enigma to many. Once the nutritional benefits are realized, however, the mysteries of this smoothie not-so-secret society become clear.
Fruit-filled, the smoothies are packed with vitamins (100 percent the daily recommendation of vitamins A, C, D and E plus 25 percent calcium, the cups advertise). In addition, the drinks are portable and colorful, making their consumption both functional and stylish.
But no matter how delicious or convenient the drink, steep pricing prevents many students from indulging more than once in a while.
Going at the Pav for $3.49 and $4.49 at the 21 and 32 ounce sizes, respectively, smoothies are in no way a drink for the fiscally finicky. Still, most customers agree that the drinks are worth both the wait and purchase price.
On a tight budget, some students indulge about once a week and endure waits of up to 10 minutes to sample a new flavor or enjoy an old standby.
Jamaican Jammer and Strawberry Shooter are the most popular flavors, according to Liz Thompson, University dining marketing program manager. By the end of October, however, four new smoothie flavors with mango will rise to challenge the incumbent champions.
Endless fruity combinations beguile rookie customers, but familiarity comes by a second or third visit, and by this point in the semester, even first years are able to order their desired drink with ease.
"My favorite flavor is Caribbean Craze because it has banana, which is my favorite fruit," first-year College student Chris Grant said.
Even for sporadic imbibers of the infrequent persuasion, the sway of the smoothie is powerful.
"When I'm waiting in line, I can't wait for the smoothie to be ready," Grant said.
Most customers can hardly endure the walk to the register at the Pav, choosing instead to sip their yet-to-be-purchased liquid lunches while waiting in an almost smoothie-exclusive line.
Especially vital to the success of the smoothie industry is its comprehension of the customer base. For health-conscience consumers on the run, smoothies provide an accessible high-vitamin source of tasteful entertainment.
"You see a lot of smoothie-only customers," Pavilion XI Location Manager Chuck Cloutier said. "It's like a meal to some people."
In addition, customers too busy to exercise need not worry about burning off the low-calorie smoothies.
While some students use the smoothie as a quality-of-life enhancer or meal substitute, others turn to the harder blends when in need of a cool down.
Stressed-out students come to smoothie stands, ending a tough day of lectures with a blended release. They know happiness is a few liquid ounces away.
On any given afternoon, regulars and intermittent drinkers alike stand in line, tapping their feet in anticipation or smoothie-withdrawal jitters.
Fortunately for time-crunched customers, the wait for that delicious mix may be shortened by a fortuitous order placed by the customer being served. With each new order, the smoothie maestro queries the line for raised hands for other customers desiring the same drink.
At this point, the master blender makes a double serving of the line-jumping mix and an instant, if fleeting, friendship is formed. Doppelganger drinks in hand, the companions part paths as quickly as they came together, making their separate ways in life to the tune of the same fruity blend.
Culinary satisfaction comes in different shades of strawberry and banana, with or without non-fat yogurt. Though most smoothie consumers are casual drinkers, a select group of hardcore consumers provide steady income for the crowded stands.
Case in point: Stephens, whose favorite flavor mixes strawberries and bananas, treks 30 minutes roundtrip, two times a day to Newcomb and back from his room at Hereford College's Whyburn House.
Five days a week on average, Stephens said he journeys for his smoothies -- his slurpee substitute.
Consequently, he exhausted his plus dollars within the first three weeks of the semester.
Stephens recognizes fellow smoothie junkies as he waits in line everyday and takes pride in seeing other consumers agree with his beverage choice.
"Their day has been lifted by the taste sensation of smoothies," Stephens said.
On warmer afternoons, hordes of smoothie-addling scholars amble Grounds, nursing transparent mixes of raspberry, pineapple and ice. From the Lawn to Lefevre and Alderman to the AFC, a smoothie is almost always near at hand.
First-year College student Temple Lee slurped on a Peach Sunset smoothie one lazy Thursday afternoon following a lengthy Chemistry Lab. He offered advice to fellow students still virgins of the smoothie experience.
"Make sure you get one," Lee said. "It's a good time"
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