By Polly Campbell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Where to get your spring tonic:

Isn't this the time of year to go out in the woods, dig up some roots and brew some spring tonic to thin the blood?

If you don't know which roots to dig, it might be better not to. Instead, find your favorite spring tonic at one of Cincinnati's juice and smoothie bars.

The first warm days of spring call for something tall and cold, and a fruity smoothie is a much healthier package than a chocolate milkshake.

• I love the Apple Jolly Rancher ($4.99 for 16 ounces) at Suttschenko's Pure Juice and Smoothies at Pleasant Ridge's Ridge Market, 6142 Montgomery Road; 366-4771.

It's organic apple juice with lemon and fresh ginger, and it is way zingy. They squeeze it when you order, and it will wake up any taste buds that have gone to sleep over the winter.

Or try a smoothie called the Third Eye, made with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and apple juice, with a little honey - all organic (also $4.99).

Owner Aaron Suttschenko says if you need an energy boost to get over your spring fever, add some E-3 Live, which is a living algae.

• Downtown at Total Juice+, you can get in a springtime mood with a Pacific Peach smoothie, which includes guava, pineapple, banana and peach. It's $3.95 for 24 ounces, which includes your choice of a couple of vitamins or other additives. Owner Joe Mallat suggests if you're looking for energy, add ginseng and bee pollen. 631 Vine St., 784-1666.

• Ken Quan of Smoothie King in Hyde Park Plaza recommends an Angel Food smoothie for spring. It's strawberries and banana with non-fat milk, turbinado sugar and soy powder, $3.25 for 20 ounces. 3880 Paxton Ave., 321-3024.

• If you're feeling the effects of a winter cold that's lingering into spring, ask for a Zeus Juice at Planet Smoothies in Blue Ash. It has echinacea and vitamin C added to a fruity strawberry-banana smoothie. ($3.49 for 22 ounces.) 4764 Cornell Road, Blue Ash, 469-6221.

• The juice bar in Wild Oats grocery in Norwood's Rookwood Commons has a smoothie special for April. The Sunset smoothie is all-organic banana, strawberry and orange juice. During April, it's $3.49 for 16 ounces. Make it lunch by adding soy protein powder for 99 cents. 2693 Edmondson Road, 531-8015.

E-mail pcampbell@enquirer.com