Creamy, Nutty Coffee Smoothie

People say the only constant in life is change, but the only constant in my life is the cup of coffee I sit down to each morning. Whether it’s hot or iced varies depending on the season, and sometimes, for a change of caffeinated pace, my coffee might come in smoothie form. It’s a twofer: coffee and breakfast rolled into one.

Unlike some smoothie recipes that are packed full of protein powder or attempt to hide vegetables, this coffee smoothie isn’t trying to be anything more than an enjoyable, delicious way to satiate your hunger and jump-start your nervous system at the same time. In addition to actual coffee, the recipe includes several ingredients that amp up and complement the beans’ natural flavor, and there’s no fruit to cover it up—unless you consider the fact that coffee is technically a type of berry. [Editor's Note: Coffee is really just the seed of the berry and not the fruit itself.]

The last time I published a smoothie recipe, our readers gave me flack for it not being healthy enough. At Serious Eats, our primary concern is with how delicious things are—we’re not nutritionists, and if you’re looking to sneak more cauliflower into your diet, you should probably head elsewhere. But if you’re looking for an enjoyable and satisfying smoothie to start your day with, you’re in the right place. 

A coffee smoothie should embrace its complex roasted and bitter flavors while balancing them out. To that end, we experimented with an assortment of sweeteners, creamers, milk, nut butters, and add-ins. Ultimately, we opted for ingredients that are nutty, creamy, and earthy, which enhance and round out the aroma of the beans.

We loved the results most when we leaned into the coffee-ness of the smoothie by layering coffee flavor in three forms: ice cubes made from strongly brewed coffee (such as a robust cold brew), coffee yogurt, and chocolate-covered espresso beans as an optional garnish. Blending the coffee ice cubes with the yogurt amps up the flavor of the smoothie and keeps it chilled without watering it down, while also thickening the beverage. Coffee yogurt adds creaminess, underscores the coffee flavor, and provides a pleasant, subtle tang. And garnishing your smoothie with chocolate-covered beans for extra, satisfying crunch isn’t necessary, but it’s a nice touch that will make your weekday morning routine feel a little bit more special. And don’t we all need that from time to time?

As for the non-coffee ingredients, a bit of condensed milk—a nod to Vietnamese iced coffee—adds sweetness and body, while almond butter brings a rich, savory note that complements the nutty tones in coffee and makes this smoothie a filling on-the-go breakfast. Finally, we believe in seasoning everything—even dessert—so adding a tiny pinch of salt helps bring it all together and make the flavors pop. 

So, I guess there is change in my life—this coffee smoothie has joined my caffeine and breakfast rotation.

What's the Best Coffee for a Smoothie?

While we love light and medium roasts when drinking coffee black, we found in our testing that more robust and fuller-bodied medium and dark roast coffees shine here, as their bolder flavors help to offset the sweetness and creaminess of the condensed milk, while those sweet and creamy flavors, in turn, take the bitter edge off those more darkly roasted coffees.

We also found that a strongly brewed coffee carried its flavor through to the finished smoothie most effectively. Cold brew is one great option for making the ice cubes (we've previously found that cold brew is a great choice when making iced coffee with milk), but any strongly brewed iced coffee will work. You could even try freezing leftover hot coffee; once everything’s blended, it won’t make that much of a difference. 

Tips for Making the Best Coffee Smoothie

• You can use store-bought or homemade cold brew, or another strongly brewed coffee that’s been frozen. In a pinch, you can also use ice cubes made from regular brewed coffee, though your smoothie will be less full-flavored. 
• If you don’t have any sweetened condensed milk on hand, consider making this smoothie with some extra yogurt and your sweetener of choice, like maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup.
• If you want the flavor of coffee with less of a caffeine punch, feel free to use decaf  coffee instead of regular.