Spicy Chocolate Smoothie

Cacao and spice

with a twist of orange to brighten it up!

This recipe is our second in a series on smoothies that are more seasonally appropriate for wintertime: ie less cooling and easier to digest. See our Warming Green Smoothie recipe and recent Instagram post to learn more about why smoothies aren’t always the healthiest choice—especially in cold weather and for folks with colder constitutions and digestive challenges.

So what’s different about our Spiced Cacao Smoothie recipe?

  • Steamed sweet potato is the primary addition from the fruit/veggie world. Because it has been cooked, it’s easier to digest and less cooling to the system. I use steamed sweet potato from the fridge, but it will still be less cooling than frozen fruit if you use it from the freezer.

  • Cinnamon and chile powder. Two warming spices that kickstart circulation and support digestive health.

  • Orange zest. Considered warming in nature and carminative—aka relieving of gas and bloating.

This is a richer smoothie—and is packed with healthy fats, protein, vitamins + minerals. Plus, of course, raw cacao as well as mushrooms and adaptogens like reishi and eleuthero from our Mushroom Chocolate. It makes a great meal replacement or post workout smoothie.

Ingredients:

1 C cubed steamed sweet potato (do this ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer*)

1 Tbsp cashew or almond butter

3/4 C oat milk (or other milk of choice)

Zest and juice of 1 orange

2.5 Tsp Mushroom Chocolate

1 Tsp cacao powder (this is optional—but makes the smoothie more chocolatey!)

1 Tsp maple syrup

1 Tsp vanilla extract

1/2 Tsp cinnamon

Chile powder of choice to taste — I use 1/4 tsp of New Mexican chile powder. Cayenne or other chile powders work, too. Just be sure not to use the generic chile powder spice blend that has things like garlic in it. And don’t overdo it! This is to add gentle warming, not to knock your socks off with heat.

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a small blender, and blend until completely smooth. Sip and enjoy!

*If using frozen sweet potato, you will want to add more liquid to the smoothie. I recommend 1/4 cup of water.

Rachael Keener