I guess I’m back on it with these weekend beverage posts, starting with this mint chip espresso shake! I flip flopped on doing a newsletter with this style of content for so long that I sort of lost the ambition/spark to do it. Everyone tells you that your email subscriber list is super important, but it just feels more natural to share this stuff directly to the blog where anyone can access it.
With this fun smoothie, you get the satiating banana, a boost of caffeine, plus the refreshing mint and little “chips” of cacao nibs. It reminds me of a smoothie I used to order at my favourite vegan restaurant when I lived in Toronto, always grabbing it to go as a little midday pick me up.
Mint Chip Espresso Shake
Mint chip espresso shake is fresh, caffeinated, lightly sweet, and a more wholesome take on takeout blended coffee drinks. Naturally sweetened!
Servings 1 -2
Ingredients
- ¾ cup non-dairy milk
- 2 shots of espresso (see notes for alternatives)
- ¼ cup mint leaves (do not pack)
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon nut/seed butter of choice (I used almond)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- tiny pinch of sea salt
- sweetener of choice, to taste
- ice (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cacao nibs
Equipment
Notes
- No problem if you can’t make espresso at home! Just use ¼ cup very strong coffee or even strongly brewed herbal “coffee” like Teeccino.
- You can skip the vanilla if you’re using an “unsweetened vanilla” type of non-dairy milk.
Instructions
- In an upright blender, combine the non-dairy milk, espresso, mint, banana, nut/seed butter, vanilla, sea salt, sweetener of choice, and ice (if using). Blend on high until smooth, about 30 seconds. Turn off the blender and add the cacao nibs. Blend the shake one more time until you have little cacao nib flecks, about 5 seconds. Enjoy the mint chip espresso shake immediately!
I’ve made this probably 20 or more times now and it’s amazing! I never have mint around so I use mint extract (about 1/2 tsp) and lately have been subbing the espresso with a bit more soy milk and some cocoa powder because I can’t have that much caffeine. Just as good, thanks for this awesome recipe.
Have been making this regularly and it is delicious. Love being able to use the mint in my garden.
I tried at my home , it’s really yummy!
I tried your recipe recently using coconut milk and loved it! May freeze my next batch in popsicle molds – the perfect sweet treat to enjoy on hot summer days. :-)
I can’t wait to try this! I’m not a banana fan though – any thoughts on a substitute? Love your blog and the weekend beverage/link posts! Thanks :)
This shake was SO yum, highly recommend!
This shake was SO yum, highly recommend!
Thank you, I’ve missed these posts!
This was a great recipe. I didn’t have any espresso so I tried it with the Sprout Living Coffee Mushroom flavor protein as the substitute. It was a nice change to my post workout smoothy.
That shake sounds SO GOOD and fresh mint is in abundance at my house right now. Perfect timing. I’ve missed your weekend casual recipe and link posts and really enjoyed reading through this one :)
Just signed up for the newsletter–love your recipes and also value this kind of content very much. thank you, Laura.
Hi Laura, this looks delicious! I’m curious if you’ve tested with peppermint extract? I don’t have steady access to fresh herbs right now and am curious if that could be subbed. Thank you!
Hi Emily! I think peppermint extract would work fine here. I’d start with 1/4 teaspoon and use more if you think it’s necessary.
-L
Hi Laura:
This smoothie sounds similar to your matcha mint chip shake which no longer seems to be on your site. Love the idea of casual recipes.
Good Morning ~ who can say no to the trifecta of coffee, mint and chocolate? Very insightful post and I’m cooking often from your book! This email reminder works for me too~ I’m looking forward to giving this a whirl
thank-you for this post…i missed reading our insights/sharings!!!