Refresh Yourselves at Make-Your-Own Juice Spot MiMo Blend

When the heat of an NYC summer finds you and the kids wilting a bit, a freshly-blended juice can be just the thing to provide everyone a second wind. Take note: a new shop on the Upper East Side takes custom juice creations to a new level, with a presentation and process that’s more “pick-your-own” candy store than health food spot. Your kid might just drink his or her vegetables without even knowing it!

photo: Craig Horowitz

MiMo: “Make it My Own” (or “Mommy”)
Owned by mom and native New Yorker, Tanya Mandor, and her adult daughters Jamie and Samantha, MiMo Blend is more than just your everyday, typical juice bar: customers hand-pick the elements for their juice from more than 70 fresh ingredients that are delivered and prepped daily. (MiMo Blend’s catchy name comes from Jamie and Samantha; “MiMo” is what they called Tanya in public when they were kids instead of “Mommy”, and the nickname stuck. However, in this case, MiMo stands for “Make It My Own.”) A tiny spot with a distinct California vibe, the store is already a favorite with local parents and kids alike.

photo: Craig Horowitz

What You Can “MiMo”
There are lots of ways to MiMo. In addition to juice blends, patrons can also create acai bowls, yogurt bowls and snack mixes. Among the many (many!) ingredients customers can use: fruits like strawberries, blueberries, kiwi and mango; veggies such as kale, spinach and beets, and “boosters” and nuts including almonds, bee pollen and ginseng. See the full list of options here. 

Snack mix-friendly options include nuts, seeds, raisins, and even chocolate chips — but of course, you can also toss those into an acai bowl or juice blend as well; that’s the beauty of MiMo Blend. Sweeteners such as Stevia, agave and honey are available, and “boosters” like ginseng, goji berry; herbs can be added to the mix, too. Mixers range from almond milk and soy milk, to cranberry juice, yogurt and more.

Customers can choose to wing it, making their own special blend, or can follow one of the many suggested recipes for a sure-fire taste and nutritional sensation. A helpful guide displayed on the wall lists the health benefits and “specialty” of each yummy blend option; i.e. “Hearty Core” (celery, kale), “Immunity Builders” (honeydew, tumeric), “Energy Boosters” (bee pollen, almonds), “weight wellness” (chia seed, oat bran), “age defiers” (chili powder, spinach), and “digestive aids” (mint, beets) – to name just a few.

Once a customer assembles his or her ingredients, a staffer does the blending work for them.

A 16 ounce juice blend is $8.00, while the acai bowls are $10. Snack mixes, created in a 12 inch clear plastic bag are $5.

photo: Rachel Sokol

A Tiny Shop That’s Tiny Person-friendly
MiMo Blend is small inside, but very kid-friendly. Kids are encouraged to make their own healthy blend or snack pack while mom or dad orders one for themselves, and a handy step stool is available to help kids reach the ingredients on their own. Need help convincing a child kiwi is awesome? They provide samples here, too.

While inside, keep your ears peeled for the funky and fun playlist, which ranges from show tunes from the musical “Annie,” to 80s classics such as “Walk Like An Egyptian.”

MiMo Blend
987 Lexington Ave.
Upper East Side
212-861-6466
Online: mimoblend.com

What’s your favorite juice spot in the city? Tell us in the comments below! 

— Rachel Sokol