It’s no secret how much I love, love, love me a good cup of coffee!
Like love it!
Something you may not know is that I actually also really enjoy a good cup of tea.
My faves are this amazing celestial seasoning – sugar cookie sleigh ride (← um you guys it actually tastes like a sugar cookie, for reals!!!!) and good old fennel.
But a few weeks ago I had the urge to try something a little different . . .
I thought I’d have myself a nice cup of Chai . . .
You know what . . . I didn’t dig it?!
I thought I would love but I just didn’t . . .
I couldn’t believe it!
I was so disappointed! I mean chai has all those delicious, aromatic spices that I just adore, cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, cloves . . . I should be head over heels in love with this tea , I really wanted to love, love, love it but, sadly . . . I just didn’t.
It just tasted so . . .watery?!
I know, I know what you’re thinking “Em, it’s tea . . . it’s suppose to be watery?!”
You’re right. But still, I didn’t dig it.
So what did I do?!
I made myself a light and creamy, all natural, subtly sweet chia spiced smoothie that’s what!
You guy’s this smoothie totally satisfied my chai spice craving!
Here’s how we build our killer chai spiced smoothie . . .
Firstly, we start out with our go to smoothie base, the good ol’ manky overripe banana . . . then we add a dollop of coconut yoghurt, some unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a splash of vanilla and a drizzle of maple syrup. You guys, serious deliciousness happening already but we don’t stop there my friend . . .
Next we throw in some heart and soul warming spices – cinnamon, cardamon and cloves and last but not least we add in a little freshly grated ginger to the mix and there you have it!
My all natural, subtly sweet chai spiced smoothie!
It’s light and fresh, smooth and creamy and all kinds of delicious!
The sweetness of the frozen banana combined with the coconut yoghurt, vanilla and maple syrup makes the perfect smoothie base. It’s sweet without being overly sweet. Our subtly sweet, slightly caramel, vanilla spiked base just goes so well with the sweet, fragrant, aromatic combination of the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. It kind of tastes like christmas in a glass and I just love it!
Then comes the ginger . . .and I’m not really sure how to explain it but the ginger kind of leaves this gentle hum of warmth in your belly, it’s the perfect way to balance out the brain freeze you will get because one sip of this baby and you will be guzzling this bad boy down so fast a brain freeze is inevitable.
You have been warned.
Oh I should also warn you, do not turn your back on your smoothie for one second . . . the smell of this sweetly spiced glass of deliciousness attracts the masses . . .
and they will not hesitate to jump on in and swipe that smoothie out from under your nose!
Did I mention this tall glass of all natural deliciousness also happens to be dairy free, vegan and paleo friendly?!
Well it is!!!
You’re welcome 🙂
Oh and I’m not saying that you have to do this (except I totally am) but I highly, H-I-G-H-L-Y recommend you add a a sprinkling of shaved dark chocolate before you get your smoothie on . . . because . . . um . . . chocolate?!
Gotta get those antioxidants somehow right?! 😉
Need I say more?!
Really?!
How’s this –
An all natural chai spiced smoothie, made with no refined or artificial sugars, that also happens to be dairy free, vegan and paleo friendly but most importantly, is all kinds of delicious (and not in the slightest bit watery 😉 ) . . .
. . . Like hold onto your chair so you don’t fall off delicious!
Now, what are you waiting for?
Time to get you’re smoothie on baby.
Make it. Drink It. Luuurrrrrvvvvveeee it.
Chai Spiced Smoothie {Vegan, Dairy Free & Paleo Friendly}
Makes 1 very large, 2 medium or 4 small light and creamy, sweetly spiced vegan and paleo friendly smoothiesIngredients –
1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup of water, coconut water or additional almond milk
1/4 cup of coconut yoghurt
1 teaspoon of maple syrup
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
1/2 a manky overripe banana (preferably pre-sliced and frozen)
1/2 – 1 cup of ice
Optional but recommended for serving –
A few shavings of dark chocolate
Method –
1 – Place all ingredients (except for the dark chocolate) into a blender and process until smooth and creamy.
2 – Taste and adjust spices/sweetness to suit your personal taste.
3 – To serve, pour into a chilled glass or mason jar and skull, skull, skull savour every delicious drop.
Enjoy xoxo
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