Mixed Berry and Cocoa Smoothie: We all know that berries are good for you, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Here’s a quick and easy smoothie recipe that’ll help you do that! Feel free to use fresh or frozen fruit if you don’t have both on hand. Just make sure any non-frozen ingredients are cold before blending – this way, the end result will stay as flavorful as possible while still being nice and thick.
To me, it tastes like strawberry ice cream with a hint of chocolate – delicious!
Ingredients to Make Mixed Berry and Cocoa Smoothie
- Milk (preferably coconut milk)
I’ll use almond milk or coconut milk if I’m making it for myself because it doesn’t upset my stomach.
- Frozen Berries
I usually add frozen mix berries that include blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. You can also add strawberries.
- Frozen Bananas
Bananas add sweetness to smoothies, which makes them creamy.
- Cocoa Powder
I just use regular cocoa powder in this recipe. You can also use a higher percentage of cocoa powder, but I find that it is best to start with less and add more as you see fit. If you find it too bitter, you can add some liquid stevia drops to the recipe.
- Vanilla Extract
You can add vanilla extract to add an extra punch of flavor.
- Chia Seeds (optional)
- Dates
Instructions
Step 1: Add the Berries, Bananas, Chia Seeds, and Dates to a Blender
First, add the frozen bananas, berries, chia seeds, and dates to a blender. Be sure to use any type of berries that you like! Use some sweetener if you prefer a sweeter smoothie with less tartness (like I do). You can also add any type of milk or plant-based milk that you would like—I prefer coconut milk in this recipe because it adds sweetness without using any additional sweeteners (though feel free to experiment with different kinds of milk!).
Finally, if you want an extra boost of energy from your smoothie, try adding some chia seeds—they’re high in fiber and protein and help keep you full longer after drinking them!
You can also swap out one or more fruit ingredients for something else if desired: frozen banana slices work well as a substitute for fresh bananas; mangoes provide an exotic twist on berries; peaches provide summery goodness with their sweet flavor profile; kiwis give off tangy notes while still rounding out the other flavors nicely…the possibilities are endless!
Step 2: Add the Coconut Milk and Blend until Smooth
Add about 1/2 cup of coconut milk and blend until smooth. You can also use soy or almond milk if you prefer, but make sure that the total amount is still around 1/2 cup. If you don’t have any of these options available, water will work as well!
Blend for about 30 seconds (make sure to keep your hand on the lid, so it doesn’t pop off!) and enjoy!
Step 3: Add the Cocoa Powder, Salt, and Stevia (If Using), Then Blend Again Until Combined
- Add the cocoa powder, salt, and stevia (if using) to the blender.
- Blend again until combined.
Use your favorite high-powered blender or food processor for this step—I use my Vitamix. If you’re using a high-powered blender like mine, blend for about 1 minute until smooth and creamy. If you’re using a food processor, blend for about 30 seconds at medium speed or until creamy.
Step 4: Serve With a Few Fresh Berries On Top If Desired, and Enjoy!
Serve your smoothie with a few fresh berries on top, if desired. Add a few fresh mint leaves or some basil leaves to further enhance the flavor!
If you want to take it up another notch, add some blueberries in addition to the berries. Blueberries are full of antioxidants and have been shown to improve heart health.
Conclusion
This mixed berry and cocoa smoothie recipe is so simple and easy to make that it’s great for kids too! It’s just a matter of throwing everything into the blender and giving it a whirl. The best part? The cocoa provides this smoothie with such a rich flavor you won’t even notice that there isn’t any sugar or dairy in here. You can add some stevia if you want to sweeten it up further, but I think this is perfect as-is.
If you want to get even more benefits from your smoothie, try adding some fresh greens like spinach or kale (just don’t tell anyone!).
