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Thursday 4 October 2012

a chocolate avocado smoothie recipe

Hello, lovely people.

I write this as I feel pumped up, yet knackered.

This is a big, busy week. It's my capoeira group's annual festival, which means a whole week of fun, games, ass-kicking and exhaustion. And awesomeness. It's seven straight days of fast, furious activity, culminating in an after-party with samba and caipirinhas on Saturday, and a street roda on Sunday.

So as I write this, I'm halfway through. Between work and the extracurricular stuff, it's hard to keep up, and yet I feel so alive. So tired, yet so present, and, also, invariably, so hungry and so wishful that someone would just thrust a smoothie my way as we wrap up yet another workshop.

chocolate avocado thickshake - tastes better than it looks!

Like this chocolate avocado smoothie. This is pretty much the only avocado smoothie I make. It's inspired by the Indonesian avocado shake, jus alpukat, but instead of using condensed milk and chocolate syrup, I give it a more wholesome, and even more delicious twist (- well, I think so anyway, and Simon can't get enough of it, too). Just good old-fashioned milk, Dutch cocoa, and raw sugar, because that's how I roll... and we're ready to rock.

I like my smoothies cold and refreshing. If you're not in a hurry to make this (and I can totally understand if you are), pop the avocado in the fridge ahead of time - a few hours will do - so that it's all nice and chilled by the time you prep it.

And, let's face it, this is a smoothie recipe, so don't worry too much about exact measurements, they're here to serve as a loose guide. Make it more chocolatey, make it sweeter, make it icier... it's all up to you! You may also control the texture via the amount of milk you include, to make it thinner or thicker. My version here makes a pretty dense, creamy milkshake, kind of like a frappe or thickshake, but if you further reduce the amount, it'll turn out even thicker and richer, like a chocolate avocado mousse or pudding... excellent and intense.

a chocolate avocado smoothie recipe
(serves 2)


1 small avocado (approx. 150g / 1/3lb)
2 tablespoons good quality unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons raw sugar (or maple syrup, or honey dissolved in a little water)
1 teaspoon instant coffee or cacao nibs (optional)
1.5 cups cold milk (approx. 375ml) (substitute with almond milk/rice milk/oat milk/soy milk/coconut milk to make it vegan)
8 ice cubes

Cut avocado in half, then scoop out the flesh, discarding the seed and the skin.
Whiz avocado flesh along with the other ingredients together in a blender or food processor until smooth and well-combined.
Pour into glasses and serve it whilst it's icy-cold.

yes, it looks a bit like a swamp. but it is, in fact, a very delicious chocolate avocado smoothie.

49 comments:

  1. I've never tried an avocado smoothie before but this looks delicious! so thick and creamy!

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    1. It truly is delicious! Avocado just works so well with chocolate. :D

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  2. Very nice! I've been discovering how yummy avocados are this spring, making sandwiches and all. Really love the idea of an avo-choco smoothie, now I know what I can do with leftover fruit, thank you! And have a great capoeira festival, Leaf.

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    1. They are so good aren't they. I'm not keen on them plain but add some other flavours and I can be all over it! Thank you for the well wishes. :D

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  3. I love your language of being "so present" in life. Gorgeous. That's the dream.

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    1. It's a glorious feeling, isn't it? Also, nothing like someone trying to kick you to jolt you into being 100% present. Which can be more fun than it sounds. ;)

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  4. You should try Avocado and Gula Melaka (or palm sugar - the darker kind). Its how I like my Avocado smoothie

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    1. I like how you think - I love gula melaka and can imagine how delicious that combination would be! :D

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  5. Oh, wow! I've been getting into smoothies for breakfast - I'll definitely be trying this one.

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  6. I love the sound of this and I think the chocolate swamp look is really appealing!

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  7. A year ago I would have said - woah!

    Now I say, yum!!!! I'm totally loving the avocado in desserts and smoothies scenario.

    It's healthy and tasty! Your smoothie looks so lush and thick.

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    1. Thanks, Christina! Their smooth, creamy texture plus their healthy profile just makes them so good for desserts, I agree! :D

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  8. Wow I would never have thought of putting avocado in a smoothie but this looks great.

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    1. It's pretty great! If you're not sure about the avocado taste you can add more cocoa powder to obliterate it. Personally I don't mind a hint of the avocado coming through. :)

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  9. Chocolate and avocado: where sloth meets gluttony. Perfect! Can't wait to try it.

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  10. Ooh, love it! The addition of coffee is very intriguing... I must give this a try (with espresso ;-)- you know I have a thing for the combination of chocolate and avocado :).

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    1. Yes, I think coffee gives extra complexity and depth. And yeah, feel free to use better quality coffee! :)

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  11. OMG, love the smoothie with a combi of my 2 fave ingredients! Stumbled upon your blog & I must say you've got a very informative blog here.

    I'm following u now at Pinterest & Twitter & would love to have u follow me too. Looking fwd to sharing & see u at Shirley's Luxury Haven!

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    1. Aw thanks! Though, I actually don't have a Pinterest account... you may have the wrong one! :p

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  12. Avocado and chocolate? *grin* REALLY??!!?!?! Okayyyy, i'll take your word for it. I WILL TRY THIS soon!

    Thanks for dropping by!

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    1. Yes, really! Hope you like it. Feel free to add more chocolate if you need to. ;)

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  13. You are one busy bee indeed! You must have a tonne of adrenalin in you :)

    Or is it the amount of chocolate in this drink :P

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    1. Busy indeed, but only temporarily, the adrenaline helps but I wouldn't be able to keep it up indefinitely! And chocolate probably helps, too... ;)

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  14. Mmm. Sounds absolutely lovely.

    I've never had caipirinhas, but they made them on Two Fat Ladies, so I am sure they are most excellent! I hope all wrapped up successfully on Sunday, and you're not too exhausted today:)

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    1. Caipirinhas are basically muddled lime wedges, sugar and cachaca (sugar cane rum). Strong and seductive! ;) And as I'm typing a response now, it's safe to say I'm not doing too badly. ;)

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  15. Ah I feel the need to start dancing at the sight of this delicious and healthy drink! Healthy because of the avo and the fact that there is a healthy dose of chocolate in there - awesome :)

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    1. Yes it's pretty healthy isn't it! Just ignore the sugar, there isn't much anyway. ;)

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  16. Wow, never thought about avocado and chocolate together! I've quite often have had avocado smoothie, not so healthy with the amount of sweetened condensed milk in there though.. lol

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    1. I don't have regular avocado smoothies because the unique taste of avocado is too strong for me, haha. Chocolate really improves it! ;)

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  17. YUM, looks SO good. Just what i'd like right now.
    Heidi xo

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  18. I've had avocado shakes in Morocco, but never thought to include chocolate. I have a feeling the husband is going to really like this one.

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    1. Oh, hope you try it and let me know what you both think! :)

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  19. I keep wanting to try out these avocado/chocolate desserts but haven't made it there yet. It looks so luscious and creamy!

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  20. Sounds perfect to me! I love whipping up a smoothie when life is hectic and I need an energy boost. Amazing how well chocolate and avocado work, too... definitely a combo I'll have to do more of. Will definitely have to try this! :)

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    1. It's such a super combo isn't it. And it definitely boosts my energy! :D

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  21. Can I please have one? I'm feeling a bit flat today. Maybe I should go eat some chocolate.

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  22. One my most popular blog posts is a chocolate avocado mousse but I have never thought to make a smoothie the same way - I will definitely do this!! I just discovered your blog when reading Food My Friend, I am glad I did, I love your dishes.

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    1. Thank you! The smoothie option is a nice lighter option when you can't handle the decadence of mousse. ;)

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  23. This was delicious! I added some protein powder and it kept me fuled for HOURS. Awesome, thanks!

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    1. It's pretty darn good isn't it? Thanks for the feedback, glad you liked it! :D

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  24. WOW!
    I have only tasted avocado in a dip or salad and it didn't thrill me, but 2014 is all about new experiences, and what a delicious experience :D
    I want to freeze this and make a dessert! Thanks for the recipe!

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    1. Oh thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! I've actually made an ice cream that is similar to this, if you feel like a frozen dessert. :D theindolentcook.blogspot.com/2011/09/vegan-coconut-mocha-ice-cream-pure.html

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