If you keep cold brew in your fridge, or find yourself with some leftover cold coffee, this coffee smoothie recipe is for you. It reminds me of a blended frappuccino, with a slushy, milkshake-like texture, but it’s naturally sweetened and packed with extra protein in each sip.
I originally tried making this recipe with a frozen banana, but in my opinion, the flavors of banana and coffee don’t mix well.
It wasn’t until I tried adding dates, which have a caramel-like sweetness, that the magic happened. When you blend them into coffee, it tastes like something you’d order from Starbucks!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review “We make this recipe a lot! Who needs to waste money at a coffee shop getting something unhealthy when you can make this! So yummy!” -Amanda
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Coffee. You can use regular brewed black coffee or cold brew. The stronger you brew it, the more pronounced the coffee flavor will be.
- Milk. I add milk to this smoothie for extra creaminess and protein, but you can replace it with extra coffee if you prefer. Any milk will work, whether you prefer cow’s milk or plant-based milk.
- Medjool dates. These are the perfect sweetener because they add a caramel-like flavor and extra fiber. Use ones that are soft and squishy for the best results. If you don’t have dates on hand, you can use a tablespoon of maple syrup instead.
- Almond Butter. A spoonful of almond butter adds creaminess and makes this smoothie more filling, thanks to the added fiber and healthy fats.
- Collagen. I’ve recently started adding collagen to this smoothie to boost the protein, without affecting the flavor. One scoop (about 2 tablespoons) will add approximately 9 grams of protein. For a vegan protein boost, try using hemp hearts instead.
- Ice Cubes. If you want a blended coffee drink with a slushy texture, add ice just before serving. Keep in mind that the more ice you add, the more diluted the coffee flavor will be, so you won’t want to overdo it.
How to Make a Coffee Smoothie
Step 1:
Use your fingers to split the dates in half and remove the pits. The dates should be soft and squishy for the best results.
In a high-speed blender, combine the pitted dates, coffee, almond milk, almond butter, and collagen (or hemp hearts). Secure the lid and blend until the dates are pulverized, about 60 to 90 seconds.
Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender, if necessary, to ensure everything is thoroughly incorporated.
Step 2:
Once the mixture appears smooth, taste it to ensure it’s sweet enough. (The flavor will be diluted with the next step, so it’s okay if it’s almost too sweet or strong at this point.)
Add a cup of ice cubes to the blender, secure the lid, and blend again. As soon as the smoothie looks slushy, with no large chunks of ice visible, it’s ready to serve.
IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x
- ½ cup black coffee or cold brew
- ¼ cup milk of choice
- 3 Medjool dates , pitted (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons collagen peptides (or hemp hearts)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 cup ice cubes , or more as needed
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the coffee, milk, pitted dates, collagen (or hemp hearts), and almond butter. Blend until very smooth. Taste the mixture, and add an extra date if you’d like it to be sweeter.
- Add the ice cubes and blend again until the smoothie has a slushy texture. Serve right away for the best consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
More Smoothie Recipes to Try
- Apple Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Chocolate Banana Protein Shake
Coffee Smoothie (No Banana!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup black coffee or cold brew
- ¼ cup milk of choice
- 3 Medjool dates , pitted (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons collagen peptides (or hemp hearts)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 cup ice cubes , or more as needed
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the coffee, milk, pitted dates, collagen (or hemp hearts), and almond butter. Blend until very smooth. Taste the mixture, and add an extra date if you’d like it to be sweeter.
- Add the ice cubes and blend again until the smoothie has a slushy texture. Serve right away for the best consistency.
