Iced Espresso Chocolate Almond Smoothie
A refreshing and energizing smoothie blending intense espresso with creamy almond milk and rich dark chocolate for a balanced morning boost. This italian-inspired breakfast ready in about 5 minutes brings together Illy espresso coffee beans, ground, Water, Unsweetened almond milk for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 18 g Illy espresso coffee beans, ground
- 60 ml Water
- 200 ml Unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup (about 150 g) Frozen banana slices
- 20 g Dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 6 cubes Ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: Grind 18 g Illy espresso coffee beans finely and brew a concentrated 60 ml espresso shot using an espresso machine heated to 93°C; allow to cool slightly.
- Step 2: In a blender, combine the 60 ml cooled espresso, 200 ml unsweetened almond milk, 1 cup frozen banana slices (about 150 g), 20 g chopped dark chocolate, 1 tbsp honey, and 6 ice cubes.
- Step 3: Blend on high speed for 45 seconds until the mixture is smooth and frothy with chocolate pieces blended through.
- Step 4: Pour into a tall glass and optionally garnish with a few shavings of dark chocolate or a dusting of espresso powder for extra aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Iced Espresso Chocolate Almond Smoothie take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Iced Espresso Chocolate Almond Smoothie?
Refrigerate any leftover iced espresso chocolate almond smoothie in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Iced Espresso Chocolate Almond Smoothie?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Iced Espresso Chocolate Almond Smoothie for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Iced Espresso Chocolate Almond Smoothie?
Italian-inspired breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
