Start your morning off right with this incredible Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie! It’s the perfect energizing pick-me-up, combining your coffee and breakfast all into one delicious, creamy glass. This smoothie features smooth cold brew coffee, naturally sweet dates and frozen banana, rich cacao powder, and soaked cashews for unbelievable creaminess. I absolutely adore this Mocha Cashew Smoothie – it tastes like such an indulgent treat but is actually packed with wholesome ingredients, plus it’s vegan, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly! It’s the perfect way to fuel a busy spring weekend morning, like today, Saturday, May 3rd!
Why You’ll Love This Mocha Cashew Smoothie
- Coffee & Breakfast Combined: Get your caffeine fix and a nutritious start to your day all at once.
- Incredibly Creamy: Soaked cashews and frozen banana create a luxuriously smooth, milkshake-like texture without dairy.
- Healthy & Energizing: Packed with healthy fats, fiber, natural sweetness, and optional protein boosts.
- Rich Mocha Flavor: The combination of cold brew coffee and cacao powder is classic and delicious.
- Quick & Easy: Blends up in minutes once your cashews are soaked and banana/coffee are frozen.
Ingredients for Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to blend up this energizing and creamy smoothie. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Smoothie Base
- Medium bananas, previously sliced and frozen (Fruit)
- Medjool dates, pitted (Sweetener/Fruit)
- Raw cashews, soaked* (Nuts) (Essential step for creaminess)
- Unsweetened natural cocoa powder* or cacao powder (Flavoring)
- Pure maple syrup (optional, to taste) (Sweetener)
- Cold brew coffee* (Coffee) (Or strong chilled brewed coffee)
- Unsweetened cashew milk (or other milk) (Liquid)
- Vanilla extract (optional) (Flavoring)
- Pinch of sea salt (Seasoning)
Optional Boosters
- Collagen powder
- Chia seeds
- Hemp seeds
(Notes refer to original recipe details regarding cocoa/cacao, coffee type, and milk choice) (Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the rich mocha flavor of this Mocha Cashew Smoothie, but feel free to customize:
- Different Nut/Seed Butter: Add a tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter for extra richness (you might use slightly fewer cashews). Use sunflower seed butter for nut-free.
- Add Spinach: Toss in a handful of baby spinach for hidden greens – the chocolate and coffee flavors mask it well!
- Make it Spicier: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of cayenne pepper for warmth.
- Different Milk: Use oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or dairy milk instead of cashew milk.
- Protein Power: Include a scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder (plant-based if desired).
How to Make a Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie
Making this creamy Mocha Cashew Smoothie is super easy with a little prep:
Soak Cashews (Prep Step – Crucial!)
- This needs planning! I place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. I let them soak for at least 4 hours at room temperature, or ideally, overnight in the refrigerator.
- After soaking, I drain the cashews thoroughly and rinse them well. This step is key to making the cashews soft and blendable for ultimate creaminess!
- Also prep ahead: Ensure you have frozen banana chunks and chilled cold brew coffee ready.
Blend the Smoothie
- Once my cashews are soaked and drained, and my banana/coffee are cold/frozen, I’m ready to blend!
- I add all the smoothie ingredients – the soaked and drained cashews, frozen banana chunks, pitted Medjool dates, cocoa or cacao powder, optional maple syrup (I usually taste first), chilled cold brew coffee, cashew milk (or other milk), optional vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt – into my high-powered blender.
- I also add any optional boosters like collagen powder, chia seeds, or hemp seeds now if I’m using them.
- I blend on high speed for approximately 45 seconds to a minute, or until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and frothy. If it seems too thick, I add a splash more cashew milk or cold brew. If too thin, add a few ice cubes or more frozen banana.
Serve
- Pour into glasses
- Enjoy immediately!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Cashew Smoothie
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Mocha Cashew Smoothie:
- SOAK THE CASHEWS! Seriously, don’t skip this step. Soaking makes them incredibly soft and results in the creamiest possible texture when blended. A minimum of 4 hours, but overnight is even better. Quick soak method: cover with boiling water for 1 hour.
- Use Frozen Banana: Key for thickness and creaminess without diluting the flavor with too much ice.
- Cold Brew Coffee: Provides a smooth, less acidic coffee flavor. Strong chilled brewed coffee also works well.
- High-Powered Blender: Highly recommended for getting soaked cashews perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Sweetness: Dates add natural sweetness. Taste the smoothie before adding optional maple syrup – you might not need it!
How to Serve
This Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie is best served immediately after blending! Enjoy it:
- For Breakfast: A fantastic, energizing way to combine your coffee and breakfast.
- As a Snack: A healthy and satisfying pick-me-up to beat the afternoon slump.
- Post-Workout: Great for refueling, especially with added protein powder or hemp/chia seeds.
- In a Tall Glass: Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy the creamy goodness.
Garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder, cacao nibs, or hemp hearts if desired.
Make Ahead and Storage
Smoothies containing bananas and blended nuts/seeds are best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture and flavor. Storing blended smoothies is generally not recommended as they can separate and the texture changes.
Prep Tip: Keep frozen banana chunks readily available in your freezer. Soak a larger batch of cashews overnight, drain, and store the soaked cashews in the fridge for 2-3 days to use in smoothies throughout the week. Keep cold brew concentrate or chilled brewed coffee on hand. This makes morning assembly super quick!
FAQs about Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie
- Can I use a different type of nut instead of cashews?
- Soaked cashews provide unparalleled creaminess when blended. You could try soaked almonds (blanched might be best), but the texture might not be quite as smooth. Adding nut butter (like almond or peanut butter) is an easier substitution (see Variations).
- Do I have to use dates?
- No, dates provide natural sweetness and fiber. You can substitute with 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, honey (if not vegan), agave nectar, or your preferred sweetener to taste.
- What is cold brew coffee?
- Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period (usually 12-24 hours). It results in a smoother, less acidic coffee concentrate compared to hot brewing. You can buy it pre-made or easily make your own concentrate at home. Strong chilled regular coffee is a fine substitute.
Enjoy this incredibly creamy, energizing, healthy, and delicious Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie! It’s the perfect way to start your day.
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Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten-Free Option)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Breakfast/Snack, Snack, Drinks, Smoothie
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Mocha Cold Brew Cashew Smoothie is the perfect way to start your morning because it’s coffee and breakfast in one! It’s filled with frozen bananas and soaked cashews for creaminess, dates for sweetness, cold brew coffee, cocoa powder, vanilla, and a little sea salt! Insanely delicious and customizable!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for 4 hours or overnight (see notes)
- 2 medium bananas, previously sliced and frozen
- 1 1/2 cups cold brew coffee* (or strong chilled coffee)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk (or other milk)
- 2 Medjool dates, pitted (or more, to taste)**
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder* (or cacao powder)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 scoop collagen powder (not vegan)
- 1–2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1–2 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 scoop vegan protein powder
Instructions
- Prep Ahead: Soak the raw cashews in water for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Drain and rinse the soaked cashews well. Freeze the sliced bananas until solid. Prepare or chill your cold brew coffee.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the drained soaked cashews, frozen banana slices, cold brew coffee, cashew milk, pitted dates, cocoa powder, maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and pinch of sea salt into a high-speed blender. Add any optional add-ins (collagen, chia, hemp) now, if desired.
- Blend: Secure the lid and blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. This may take 45 seconds to a minute or more, depending on your blender. Use a tamper if needed, or stop to scrape down the sides.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste and add more maple syrup or another date if you prefer more sweetness. If the smoothie is too thick, add a splash more cashew milk or cold brew; if too thin, add a few ice cubes or more frozen banana. Blend again briefly. Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Soaking Cashews: Soaking cashews makes them softer and results in a much creamier smoothie. Quick Soak Method: If short on time, cover cashews with boiling water and let them soak for 15-30 minutes, then drain and rinse.
- Frozen Banana: Using frozen bananas is key for a thick, cold, creamy texture without needing ice.
- Cold Brew Coffee: Use store-bought or homemade cold brew. Strong chilled brewed coffee can be substituted. Adjust the amount if you prefer less coffee flavor.
- Cocoa/Cacao: Use unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder.
- Dates: Medjool dates are soft and blend easily. If using drier dates (like Deglet Noor), soak them in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then drain before blending. Adjust the number of dates for sweetness.
- Milk: Any dairy or non-dairy milk can be substituted for cashew milk.
- Storage: Smoothies are best consumed immediately after blending.