Mexican Cacao Smoothie: AKA the best “healthy” chocolate shake

This is a life-changing cacao smoothie. Ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but this smoothie does stand out from others because if its ingredients.  It fits right in with my philosophy of cooking with whole, un-fractured or processed foods as it features whole, raw chocolate.  I got the original recipe from a classmate in culinary school and was immediately impressed by the taste and how it made me feel. If you get an afternoon slump, this could be a fun way to give you a little boost instead of grabbing candy or a triple latte.

What are cacao nibs?

Cacao beans (or nibs) are the bean that chocolate is made from, but still in its raw and whole form.  Cacao beans have been called brain food, a mood enhancer, and are as old as the Aztecs.  Cacao nib producers dry and crack the beans into small pieces.  Raw cacao contains healthy nutrients like antioxidants, good fats, and magnesium, which helps to combat fatigue and reduce stress. Cacao contains a vasodilator, which opens up blood vessels as well as containing  anandamide, the “bliss molecule”. Maybe that is why this shake gives me an energy and mood boost!!

Cacao Smoothie Recipe

This mexican cacao smoothie is dairy and refined sugar free.  It is quite flexible so you can substitute milks and sweeteners with what you have in the house. You can make my homemade almond milk first, and then add use it here in this recipe. It is called a “mexican” smoothie because of the addition of cinnamon. You can go all the way to the original source of this recipe and also add a tiny pinch of cayenne if you like the heat.

See the video of this recipe here, and the printable version is down below.

This recipe makes 2 servings.  It is best made in a Vitamix but another high powered blender will work.

PRINTER FRIENDLY RECIPE

Mexican Cacao Smoothie

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• Author: Andrea Sprague
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x

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Description

This energizing smoothie will satisfy a sweet or chocolate craving. It is a dairy and refined sugar free powerhouse, featuring real, raw chocolate – the cacao bean.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 cup plain hazelnut milk, unsweetened (almond, hemp or macadamia nut milk are good too)

3 tablespoons raw cacao nibs

2 tablespoons agave nectar or 2 pitted medjool dates

pinch sea salt

½ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste (1 tsp alcohol-free vanilla works great too)

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 medium frozen banana

10 ice cubes

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Instructions

1. Combine nut milk, cacao, agave, sea salt, vanilla, cinnamon and banana in a blender and process until completely smooth (I blend for 2 minutes to get the cacao as smooth as possible)

2. Taste and adjust ingredients if you want it sweeter or more cinnamon, etc.  You get the idea.  Add ice cubes and blend again until smooth and frosty (about 30 seconds). Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.

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Notes

Tip: If you dont have a Vitamix, soaking the cacao nibs in the milk ahead of time, say for about an hour, could help them break down in your blender. I like this drink to be as smooth as possible and try to get rid of any bits the blender cant break down.