2 Cool Coffee Smoothies for Hot Summer Days

A hot cup of coffee may be soothing on a cool morning, but as the weather heats up, it’s time to start looking for other ways to get your organic coffee fix. Coffee smoothies are the perfect solution: a delicious treat for any time of day, and one that you can get mighty creative with. Don’t bother paying $5 for a sugar-laden concoction from the shop; make your own at home, with a recipe you choose. Here are some options to get you started.

Decadent Treat: Sweet and Rich Coffee Smoothie

From Joy the Baker comes this recipe for a smoothie base that’s rich without being totally sinful.

Ingredients

1 cup of strongly brewed coffee, cooled

1 cup of organic milk

2 heaping tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding

1-3 teaspoons of sugar, depending on how sweet you like your coffee

2 cups of small ice cubes (or add more to further thicken the smoothie)

Method

Blend it all together, adding milk or ice until it reaches a consistency you like. Don’t forget to add in some flavors from the list below.

Want to make a real dessert of it? Substitute the milk with whipping cream, take out the ice and add one cup of ice cream, with vanilla extract if you like. Now you’ve got a milkshake, not a smoothie!

Daily Indulgence: Healthy Coffee Smoothie

Want something you can enjoy every morning? Stick with a base of coffee, ice and bananas. Add a little organic milk or non-dairy milk if you prefer it creamier!

Ingredients

1-2 bananas depending on their size

2 cups of brewed coffee

2 teaspoons of honey

Ice as desired for thickness

Method

Blend it all together, and don’t forget to add fruit for extra flavor.

Add-Ins and Flavor Ideas

Those recipes make good bases, but smoothies are at their best when you get a little creative. Try adding some of these flavorful ingredients:

  • Vanilla, almond or mint extract
  • Homemade Kahlua
  • Cocoa powder or melted chocolate
  • Coconut milk
  • Medjool dates
  • Peaches
  • Berries
  • Espresso
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Peanut butter, or raw nuts if your blender can handle them
  • Irish moss for thickness and nutrition
  • Whey for protein and antioxidants

Did all this get your smoothie brain shakin’? Get more fantastic ideas: 5 Healthy Smoothies, 5 Vegetable Smoothies, Blueberry Banana Smoothie with Organic Whey. And don’t skip this Homemade Organic Frappucino! YUM.

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Image: Lara604

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