This vegan and gluten free cocoa smoothie is designed to snap you right out of your morning (or mid-day) stupor. The infusion of Earl Grey tea lends a nice little caffeine boost as well as a subtle hint of bergamot.
Reader votes are in and the result is this healthy, smooth cocoa smoothie.
After publishing my Mint Tea Infused Cherry Smoothie, I sent an email around asking folks to name their favorite teas so I could make sure this last recipe resonates with you guys.
By now you’ve figured out that Earl Grey got the majority vote. You’re so clever 😉
I’m a huge fan of Earl Grey tea, too, but without your input I probably wouldn’t have chosen it. I really wasn’t sure I’d be able to top last summer’s Earl Grey Tea Infused Blueberry Smoothie.
The pressure was ON.
After one massive fail with mango and kiwi I was feeling a bit deflated. My daughter, AKA taste tester, was not at all nice about it. I can’t blame her, honestly.
But I was a little stuck. What flavors, other than shortbread, go with Earl Grey tea??? Then, I started thinking about fellow food blogger, Jane from Little SugarSnaps. Jane is one of the people who suggested Earl Grey and I happen to know she has a bit of a sweet tooth. To put it mildly.
The proof is in the Prosecco Truffle Pots, right? Or the Triple Chocolate Layer Cake, as the case may be.
So, yeah. It was a fairly natural progression from Jane to Earl Grey to Chocolate.
Then I started getting psyched. I added banana for natural sweetness plus a little maple syrup to keep it vegan AND an avocado to boost the creaminess as well as the healthy factor.
The kiwi is just a trophy wife. Purely aesthetic. I liked the way it looked with the straw.
So, I’m saying this is the last smoothie in my series but we both know I’m not done. I’ll be back with more after a little break. If you have a favorite tea tell me about it in the comments so I can get my wheels turning.
This recipe is adapted from the Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie on Greatist.
Need more than one great smoothie recipe? Try my
Lemongrass Tea Infused Smoothie {whole 30}
Mint Tea Infused Cherry Smoothie
Jasmine Tea Infused Peach Smoothie
- 3 Earl Grey tea bags
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup hazelnut milk or milk of choice
- 1 frozen medium banana roughly chopped
- 1 small avocado cubed
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
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Place tea bags in the boiling water and let steep ten minutes.
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Discard tea bags and let tea cool completely.
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Add ingredients to blender.
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Blend until smooth.
For maximum coolness, refrigerate your milk before you put it in your smoothie.
If smoothie is too thick once blended, add more milk until you reach desired consistency.
Nice recipe! This one looks yummy, and healthy as well. I love avocado and cocoa, but I’ve never tried to put both of them in one recipe. Definitely gonna try this smoothie.
Awesome, Jake. Let me know what you think!
It’s amazing, Christine. I tried it yesterday. I love it!
Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Makes me so happy!
This is brilliant…and refreshing looking!
Thanks, Jessie!
I am guessing this drink is extremely aromatic and addictive, I love the avocado and cocoa in one recipe. Don’t stop making smoothies:)
Thank you Monika! There’s a new one taking shape in my head…won’t be long.
Definitely my type of drink! I am a notorious chocoholic!
That’s the best kind of notorious to be! Hope you enjoy it 😀
PS – love the nod to the kiwi fail by including it as a garnish 🙂
Oh, I feel bad. How did I miss this post until now, Christine?!?!?!?!? I am deeply ashamed. And you summed me up so well with Earl Grey, Chocolate and Sweet Tooth. Thankyou too for all those lovely links. To make up for my slowness, this smoothie is going to get made during the summer hols – my kids would go mad for it.
No apologies necessary! How do we even keep up with anything!! Glad I captured a bit of your essence. And, yes, at least the kiwi was good for something 😉
Haha “the kiwi is a trophy wife”, that made me chuckle. Love everything about this smoothie and it is totally getting made in my house! Going to peruse your other ones too because I need some more smoothie variations in my life!
Yeah, Whitney! I hope you love it. They’re all keepers in my book and I’m now officially obsessed with kefir.
I am absolutely blown away by this combination! I would have never thought to put these ingredients together in a smoothie in a million years. However, you’ve convinced me! I gotta try it 🙂
Yay! Let me know what you think. I had it for dessert last night. It’s really creamy and yum.
Unique and this time – definitely for me 🙂 I’d looooooooove to drink this smoothie 🙂
Sounds rich and delicious Christine and a little kick of caffeine. Nice for a quick breakfast smoothie or midday snack.
Exactly. Rich and creamy and still healthy.
I’ll follow your recipe logic any day! Especially if you keep making these awesome smoothies!
Oh, crap. It’s supposed to involve logic? I’m fired.