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This body of mine has never done well with long winters.
I wish it did — that I could be that girl who looks forward pulling out her cozy winter clothes each year, who loves bundling up in layers upon layers to go out, who feels a thrill when that sharp blast of cold winter air takes your breath away, who thinks there’s nothing more magical than snow on the ground, who can’t wait to come inside when the sun goes under at 5pm and make a warm meal and take a piping hot bath, who tells everyone that this is her most wonderful time of the year. I have good friends like this.
But man, the older I get, the more I’m convinced that — as The Weepies say — I was made for sunny days.
Man, I love ’em. And at this time of year, I find comfort in at least knowing that we’re now on the upswing again, and the days are getting longer and brighter and moving us closer and closer to summertime. And I do, at least, enjoy me a good warm bowl of soup and piping hot bath, and some of my other favorite ways to push through those winter blues. But, let’s be real, a good cup of coffee (or three) also helps. And for an extra boost this winter, I’ve been blending mine into a smoothie with lots of extra protein and electrolytes to give some extra energy to my days. And — you know — maybe pretend for a hot second while holding my icy smoothie in January that it’s nearly summertime again?! ?
Ha, whatever works, right?
Well, whether you’re reading this post in January or sometime later this July, I really do think that this smoothie is a good one that you can enjoy any time of year. And it’s super delicious. And…it’s the perfect use for leftover coffee!
Simply pour your coffee into an ice cube tray to make some little coffee ice cubes. Then freeze ’em until solid.
Then, once you’re ready to make the smoothie, just add them to a blender, along with a banana (full of good potassium/electrolytes), and all of those good protein-packed ingredients (Greek yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds and hemp seeds). Oh, and if you’re into protein powders, feel free to add in a tablespoon if you’d like. (I’m into this one lately.)
Blend it all up until smooth…
…and then voila! This delicious protein-packed smoothie (or frappe, if we want to get fancy) will be yours to enjoy.
Perfect for giving you a boost to make the most of a snowy wintery day…or a gloriously warm and sunny day…or any ol’ day in between.
Ali! I was all excited for you to tell me your favorite brand of protein powder… But I think you might’ve forgotten the hyperlink? :-) This recipe looks great and I would really like to try it! I’d love to find a protein powder I can choke down. I love your blog!
I’m the same, I’m HORRIBLE in winter. I’m horrible any season apart from summer. I have the heater on at 20ºC for God’s sake! This smoothie sounds really perfect for when I have the heater on ;)
That is a great idea to use up leftover coffee!! I am always looking for new smoothie ideas and this one looks delicious!! I’m pinning it for later!! :)
Oooh, I like this smoothie a lot! I am definitely saving this recipe for summer! By the way I would have never though of freezing leftover coffee – what a great idea!
Hi Kathy! We’re sorry but we are unsure of the nutrition facts/amount of calories in this recipe. We currently are not publishing nutrition facts on the site, as the nutrition calculators available are not 100% accurate, and we never want to publish anything that might be misleading. However, a lot of our readers love the My Fitness Pal nutrition calculator, so feel free to try that for an estimate. We hope that helps!
Hi there! Love your recipes….just wondering if there is any good substitute for bananas? For some reason in the past year or so I have had a problem digesting them. It seems I also have a histamine reaction so ND said no more bananas or red wine until that settles :(
Thanks
Joie
Thank you Ali, it sounds wonderful. Gotta try it soon. I’m with you about cold weather. Looking so forward to those wonderful long warm days with spring showers and ? flowers. Right now it’s freezing and a snow covered ground. ?
This sounds like something I need to try, even though I’m not a coffee drinker. I would make mine with decaf, since I cannot do caffeine if I want to sleep in the foreseeable future (i.e. within 24 hours of consuming caffeine). I’m not sure about banana with coffee, but my husband thinks the combination sounds good, so I’ll see how it is. I’d love to learn that bananas do indeed go with coffee for my tastebuds.
I love this idea and I super love coffee. I bet it tastes a little like coffee ice cream, The Best. I’m totally going to try this. Thanks for the clever idea. Now to find an ice cube tray ;)
Ugh, yes, this. I will be brewing coffee JUST to make ice cubes for this. I am with you on the winter. We up here in BC have been having -20C for two weeks, and I am DONE. Spring time, please. I have the warm clothes, I have the snowshoes, but I am really tired of the air hurting my face. :p
Hi! I made your chocolate crinkle cookies, a recipe you posted a year ago. Yum. I’ve made them in the past. I liked your recipe, and as soon as I can figure out how, will send you a picture of the cookies! Love your blog.
This was way better tasting than I thought it’d be. I used some latte/coffee flavored greek yogurt and it was the bomb. I was shocked at how good it tasted and full it left me and only about 350 calories. I also add a bit of whey isolate protein powder.
This is my go to breakfast now on running days, thank you
Hi Ali. Can’t wait to try this out. But what are your tips for frozen coffee? There’s a note that says “see below,” but I don’t see anything! Would love to know the process you use making and then freezing the coffee, favorite brand etc!
Ah, that part is hidden a bit below. Here’s the tip: *To make the coffee ice cubes, simply make a batch of strong coffee. Then pour the coffee into an ice cube tray, freeze until frozen, and pop into the smoothie when you’re ready to blend it. These ice cubes are also awesome in iced coffee (so that the ice doesn’t water down your drink!). ;)
Tried this for breakfast this morning and ended up with really nice smoothie bowls… They were way too thick to pour into glasses. Fortunately, smoothie bowls call for toppings, so I topped them with chocolate granola. I doubled the recipe, but only put in one banana, which was a good choice. I was fascinated by the way the coffee and banana flavors stayed separate (I wasn’t sure I’d like the combination, but it was good). Also added some vanilla protein powder. For the future, I think I’d have to reduce the coffee to 1.5 cups instead of 2, so I would have drinkable smoothies. After re-reading this post, I’m wondering if you used the equivalent of two coffee cups of coffee instead of two liquid measure cups? I think that coffee cups are about 6 fluid ounces, which would make a difference. Whether in bowls or consumed with straws, this is a nice recipe, definitely a keeper. I’m not a coffee drinker, so it won’t be something I make frequently, but I will be making it again.
I love this recipe. I’ve made it a few times already and it’s delicious. Though I used the red mill chocolate protein powder. It’s keep me full and gives a extra kick of energy. Plus now I don’t feel bad about making too much coffee because now I have a use for it. Thank you.
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Thanks for sharing, Sylvia — we’re so happy you enjoy the smoothie!
Your protein powder link (“this brand”) isn’t linked.
Sorry, just fixed that. Thank you!
Ali! I was all excited for you to tell me your favorite brand of protein powder… But I think you might’ve forgotten the hyperlink? :-) This recipe looks great and I would really like to try it! I’d love to find a protein powder I can choke down. I love your blog!
Oh whoops — just added that back in! It’s Bob’s Red Mill’s protein powder — vanilla, or unflavored. :)
I’m the same, I’m HORRIBLE in winter. I’m horrible any season apart from summer. I have the heater on at 20ºC for God’s sake! This smoothie sounds really perfect for when I have the heater on ;)
Charmaine Ng
That is a great idea to use up leftover coffee!! I am always looking for new smoothie ideas and this one looks delicious!! I’m pinning it for later!! :)
The frozen coffee ice cubes are a really creative touch. Looks great! Getting up to put my leftover coffee in the freezer.
Awesome, hope you enjoy it! I use coffee ice cubes for my iced coffee all of the time too, to keep it from getting watered down. :)
Cool idea! Thanks for sharing =)
oh yes! I drink a lot of coffee can’t wait to try this. yes love the cold and hate the summer it gets way to hot and I don’t drink my coffee, sad.
I think bananas are grody – is the smoothie okay without the addition or is there a good substitute?
Sure, you’re welcome to leave them out and add in a little extra Greek yogurt or ice to help thicken the smoothie up. :)
Oooh, I like this smoothie a lot! I am definitely saving this recipe for summer! By the way I would have never though of freezing leftover coffee – what a great idea!
Thanks, Julia — we hope you enjoy it!
What is the Nutritional information on this?
Hi Kathy! We’re sorry but we are unsure of the nutrition facts/amount of calories in this recipe. We currently are not publishing nutrition facts on the site, as the nutrition calculators available are not 100% accurate, and we never want to publish anything that might be misleading. However, a lot of our readers love the My Fitness Pal nutrition calculator, so feel free to try that for an estimate. We hope that helps!
Hi there! Love your recipes….just wondering if there is any good substitute for bananas? For some reason in the past year or so I have had a problem digesting them. It seems I also have a histamine reaction so ND said no more bananas or red wine until that settles :(
Thanks
Joie
Sure thing, feel free to just leave the bananas out and add in a little extra Greek yogurt (or ice) to help thicken the smoothie. :)
Thank you Ali, it sounds wonderful. Gotta try it soon. I’m with you about cold weather. Looking so forward to those wonderful long warm days with spring showers and ? flowers. Right now it’s freezing and a snow covered ground. ?
This is going in the blender tomorrow morning!!! :D
Awesome, hope you enjoy it!
This sounds like something I need to try, even though I’m not a coffee drinker. I would make mine with decaf, since I cannot do caffeine if I want to sleep in the foreseeable future (i.e. within 24 hours of consuming caffeine). I’m not sure about banana with coffee, but my husband thinks the combination sounds good, so I’ll see how it is. I’d love to learn that bananas do indeed go with coffee for my tastebuds.
I love this idea and I super love coffee. I bet it tastes a little like coffee ice cream, The Best. I’m totally going to try this. Thanks for the clever idea. Now to find an ice cube tray ;)
Thanks, Bita — we hope you enjoy it! :)
Mm, siting in costa coffee , like the sound of that.
Can’t wait to try it .
Thanks John JB.
Awesome! Enjoy! :)
Couldn’t agree with you more. I’m counting down the days until spring!! We’ll get there!
Ugh, yes, this. I will be brewing coffee JUST to make ice cubes for this. I am with you on the winter. We up here in BC have been having -20C for two weeks, and I am DONE. Spring time, please. I have the warm clothes, I have the snowshoes, but I am really tired of the air hurting my face. :p
Love the idea of using the coffee leftovers! And it looks delicious :) I am definitely saving this recipe for the summer!
Hi! I made your chocolate crinkle cookies, a recipe you posted a year ago. Yum. I’ve made them in the past. I liked your recipe, and as soon as I can figure out how, will send you a picture of the cookies! Love your blog.
Sue
Awesome, I’m so glad you like the cookies, Sue!
Love this!! Can’t wait to try tomorrow morning. (:
Thanks, Mariah — we hope you love it!
Now this is my kind of smoothie! Sounds delicious.
Thanks, Josh, it really is and we hope you can give it a shot soon!
Oooh, coffee ice cubes, brilliant idea. thanks!
This was way better tasting than I thought it’d be. I used some latte/coffee flavored greek yogurt and it was the bomb. I was shocked at how good it tasted and full it left me and only about 350 calories. I also add a bit of whey isolate protein powder.
This is my go to breakfast now on running days, thank you
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Val!
I love smoothies & I’ll definitely add this into them. It looks so delicious & healthy.
Happy to be here. Thanks for sharing Ali :)
Thanks, Sara — we hope you enjoy it! :)
Hi Ali. Can’t wait to try this out. But what are your tips for frozen coffee? There’s a note that says “see below,” but I don’t see anything! Would love to know the process you use making and then freezing the coffee, favorite brand etc!
Ah, that part is hidden a bit below. Here’s the tip: *To make the coffee ice cubes, simply make a batch of strong coffee. Then pour the coffee into an ice cube tray, freeze until frozen, and pop into the smoothie when you’re ready to blend it. These ice cubes are also awesome in iced coffee (so that the ice doesn’t water down your drink!). ;)
Tried this for breakfast this morning and ended up with really nice smoothie bowls… They were way too thick to pour into glasses. Fortunately, smoothie bowls call for toppings, so I topped them with chocolate granola. I doubled the recipe, but only put in one banana, which was a good choice. I was fascinated by the way the coffee and banana flavors stayed separate (I wasn’t sure I’d like the combination, but it was good). Also added some vanilla protein powder. For the future, I think I’d have to reduce the coffee to 1.5 cups instead of 2, so I would have drinkable smoothies. After re-reading this post, I’m wondering if you used the equivalent of two coffee cups of coffee instead of two liquid measure cups? I think that coffee cups are about 6 fluid ounces, which would make a difference. Whether in bowls or consumed with straws, this is a nice recipe, definitely a keeper. I’m not a coffee drinker, so it won’t be something I make frequently, but I will be making it again.
I love this recipe. I’ve made it a few times already and it’s delicious. Though I used the red mill chocolate protein powder. It’s keep me full and gives a extra kick of energy. Plus now I don’t feel bad about making too much coffee because now I have a use for it. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing, Sylvia — we’re so happy you enjoy the smoothie!
looking so good, its healthy anyway. gonna add it to my diet menu.
thanks for sharing
Awesome, enjoy!
Yes, I got it :D I was Looking for a healthy coffee and finally I landed here safely :)
Hi how much protein is on 1 serving ?
Hi. What can I use instead of banana to sweeten it? Thanks.
Can I use liquid coffee if I am putting in freezer for later ?
How many calories does coffee protein smoothie have?
Hi!
I’m going to make this today (2/28/22). Question: have you ever substituted avocado for banana? May not have the sweetness, I suppose.
Can you make the coffee sweet before freezing it?