Erewon whipped the internet into a frenzy. These locals do it better

In the status-signaling health food economy, Erewhon’s celebrity-endorsed smoothies sit at the top of the heap. 

The pricey, premium organic grocery store and its blended drinks have attracted a ravenous following. That’s thanks in no small part to its A-list clientele and savvy marketing. Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie, which sells for $22, is the perfect case study. It has launched innumerable dupes around the country and “taste test” videos across social media that perpetuate its lore and normalize the splurge price tag. 

It came as no surprise that a misleading social media post last month would whip Erewhon fans into the frenzy of a Vitamix at full bore. In case you missed it, the grocer first teased it was “coming soon” to Phoenix. But after the buzz had already begun to swirl, the post was quickly updated to say Erewhon would be “shipping soon.”

Erewhon doesn’t have any stores in Arizona. It’s currently only operating brick-and-mortar locations in California and inside a private club in New York. Enter Erewhon’s virtual store.

In just a few clicks, shoppers can add five-ounce packages of Sea Moss Gummies ($34) for a “plant-based mineral boost” or jars of beef bone broth (two for $50) to their cart. Perhaps the most alarming sign of late-stage capitalism, Erewhon purchases can be paid in installments. At least shipping is free once you spend $75.

The store’s viral, virtuous skin smoothie kits, which are made with organic fruit, almond milk, collagen peptides and sea moss gel, quickly became the most noteworthy item for sale online.

The kits include ingredients to make four smoothies at home, and four Erewhon-branded cups to complete the experience. This could be yours for the hefty price of $100. Except, despite the expense, the kits quickly sold out.

A portion of the kits’ proceeds is donated to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That’s commendable, but still means customers are spending $25 on a smoothie that they have to make themselves. In a blender they’ll have to wash. With coconut cream they’ll have to artfully pipe into each of said cups.

Sure, it’s still more affordable than a facial, but about double the price of some of the Valley’s best spots for smoothies. If you’re got a thirst for an Erewhon smoothie dupe, these local places have you covered. 

Erewhon smoothie dupes in Phoenix

Phoenix’s Goji Berry Eatery & Bakery is one of our favorite vegan restaurants. It offers a cheekily named Twilight AIRWHON smoothie – a blend of organic cherries, strawberry, blueberry charcoal puree, protein and beet powder with coconut cold foam. It’s $12.50, with dark swirls perfect for spooky season. 

At Kaleidescope Juice, which has eight locations around the Valley, try the Strawberry Shortcake or Bulletproof smoothies. The latter is made with frozen blueberries, raspberries, avocado, almond butter, MCT Oil, Bulletproof collagen peptides and housemade unsweetened almond milk. The lavender-hued sip is $13.50.

The Skin Smoothie at Le Market inside Arcadia’s Global Ambassador Hotel is perhaps the spendiest smoothie around town at $18. It’s made with blue spirulina, collagen, ashwagandha, beet root extract, zinc, a probiotic blend, honey, folic acid, vanilla, banana, pineapple and coconut milk. The collagen is from Augustinus Bader, a beauty brand carried at the hotel’s spa. 

The hotel’s chic, Parisian-inspired digs with no whirring blenders in sight – the smoothie is prepared in the kitchen of sibling restaurant Le Ame – make the price tag a bit easier to swallow. The hotel is the kind of place to see and be seen. If you’re looking for a side of status with your morning sip, The Global Ambassador is the place to go, and you won’t have to liquidate your 401(k) quite as quickly to enjoy it.