Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie (Vegan Option) + A Giveaway

In a hurry? Click here to JUMP TO RECIPE!

This Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie is the perfect morning or afternoon booster with iced coffee, blended dates, chocolate OLLY Smoothie powder, and vanilla all coming together to create a healthy iced coffee concoction.

I’m going to start out by mentioning I’m not a smoothie girl. Sometimes, because this is a meat-free blog, VV gets grouped into these ‘special diet’ categories with all the other folks working on their yoga poses, superfood salads, and beautiful smoothie bowl game. Don’t get me wrong, I’m down with all those things on occasion but I just don’t identify with them. You know what I do identify with? Chocolate. You know what else? Coffee. Dang – do I love coffee. This drink I’m sharing today is called a ‘smoothie’ for lack of a better word – really, it’s like a super mix between a light chocolate shake and a dang fine cup of iced cold brew.

I first discovered a similar shake (smoothie? frozen coffee concoction? frappucino?) a few months ago at a juice bar in Minneapolis. Our host didn’t have coffee but she had a big jug of a similar drink in her fridge. I still can’t remember exactly what was in it but I remember thinking it tasted like the best iced coffee I’ve ever had. I started making my own version when I got home and couldn’t get over how sweet that dates made the drink with zero refined sugar (and gave it a little creamy vibe as well). I usually make this for an afternoon pick-me-up with any leftover coffee I still have lingering on the stove. When OLLY mentioned they’d be sending me some nourishing chocolate smoothie powder, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought to put chocolate into it earlier. The OLLY powder gives both an additional nutrition boost AND an indulgent jolt from the chocolate.

Afternoons can be rough for me. I wake up beyond excited to start the day and find my mind the clearest and most creative in the AM. From there lunch is great because well…I’m eating and I love to eat. But then around 3 or 4, I tend to crash – I’ve tried eating big lunches (to see if they would get me through dinner but they just bog me down even earlier) and light lunches (which leave me starving and without energy by 3) so I’ve accepted my body needs something else in the afternoon. This healthy drink has been the answer for the last couple months – it doesn’t leave you with a sugar crash and I get a little bit of caffeine boost without the afternoon shakes that would come from a strong cup of coffee. Oh and I bet the boost of vitamins from the OLLY powder is a big help as well. You ever feel the afternoon slump as well? Try this drink – it positively could change your afternoon energy level forever!

Note: Some days I’ve had enough caffeine by 11 AM to know when enough is enough. This drink is just as delicious with decaf if you’d prefer to switch to that in the afternoon. Also, I sometimes only blend together 1 cup of ice and reserve the rest to throw into my drink after to give it more of an iced coffee vibe – totally your call on how you’d like to do it!

PSS Don’t worry, I’ve already been recipe developing a warm version of this for the colder months. I’m hoping to share that recipe later this season!

BONUS! OLLY was kind enough to offer a giveaway for a chance to win over $1000 in prizes. To say thanks for playing, they’ll send you a $5 off coupon for target.com! ENTER HERE by Monday, October 17th!

Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie recipe below:

Print

Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie (Vegan Option)

This Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie is the perfect morning or afternoon booster with iced coffee, blended dates, chocolate OLLY Smoothie powder, and vanilla all coming together to create a healthy iced coffee concoction.

Course: Drink

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Servings: 1 large smoothie or 2 small

Calories: 153 kcal

Author: Shelly Westerhausen

Ingredients

• 1 cup chilled coffee
• 2 dates , soaked for at least 2 hours
• 3/4 cup whole milk (or coconut, almond, or any other non-dairy to make vegan)
• Splash of vanilla extract
• 1 scoop OLLY's Pure Chocolate Nourishing Smoothie Powder
• 2 cups ice

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients together in a high speed blender. Enjoy right away!

Nutrition Facts

Iced Cocoa Coffee Smoothie (Vegan Option)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 153 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 18mg6%

Sodium 85mg4%

Potassium 449mg13%

Carbohydrates 19g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 18g20%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 295IU6%

Calcium 207mg21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by OLLY Smoothies but all opinions are of course my own, silly!