Name: Cafe Mocha Smoothie
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 2 pitted dates; ¼ cup warm water plus ¾ cup cold water; 1 cup ice; ½ ripe avocado; 2 tablespoons cacao nibs; 2 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder; 1 cup dairy or plant-based milk , plus extra as needed

Why This Recipe Works

Espresso and milk were easy enough to come by, so getting the chocolate component just right was the key to this combination. While cacao nibs had the most aromatic flavor and we loved the crunch they gave, the result was not reminiscent of drinking chocolate, so we boosted that chocolatiness with unsweetened cocoa powder. To add creaminess without strong flavor, we used smooth and mild avocado. For a healthful sweetener, dates were the perfect candidate, but they blended up into chunks rather than a smooth paste. Soaking the dates in warm water allowed them to soften and better incorporate when blended for a delectable drink (with some added nutrients).

Before You Begin

Avoid Dutch-processed cocoa powder as it imparts a bitter taste.

Instructions

Soak dates in warm water in blender for at least 5 minutes or overnight.

Add ice, avocado, cacao nibs, cocoa, espresso powder, cold water, and milk to blender (in that order) and process on low speed until mixture is combined but still coarse in texture, about 10 seconds, scraping down sides of blender jar as needed. Gradually increase speed to high and process until smooth, about 90 seconds. Adjust consistency with extra milk as needed. Serve.