MOCHA BANANA TIRA MI SÙ SMOOTHIE

Freshly brewed espresso, chocolatey-bitter cocoa powder, and creamy, sweet, frozen bananas; all blended with cold milk and ice cubes to gorgeously rich, fresh and creamy frothiness. 

Easy, fast, and with a delicious coffee-cocoa-banana taste, Mocha Banana Smoothie is great for jumpstarting your morning, or as a tira mi sù (Italian for pick me up) in the afternoon.

It is easy and fast to prepare, making it perfect for hectic mornings: once the espresso is made and slightly cooled, it is combined with the other ingredients in a high-speed blender and blended until creamy and smooth.

Jump to RECIPE

This smoothie is wonderfully creamy, flavourful, satisfying and filling.

Bananas and milk provide natural sweetness, creaminess and bulk.

Coffee and cocoa add a wonderful mocha taste along with the oh-so-needed morning caffeine, or pick me up.

Ice cubes provide chill and liquid.

I always have a bag of sliced bananas in my freezer; it's the best fate for over-ripe bananas, and I highly recommend it.

Once they start to soften and are full of brown spots, and no one wants to eat them anymore, I slice them and freeze them in re-sealable freezer bags.

Rich in natural sugars and dietary fibre, they are an excellent addition to smoothies. They also make perfect, naturally sweet banana ice cream: simply add the frozen banana pieces to a high-speed blender, blend until smooth (add a little milk or yoghurt for easier blending if needed, and a few drops of lemon for acidity) and serve right away.

TIPS & VARIATIONS:

• The riper the bananas, the less sugar you will need. Start by blending all the ingredients, then add sugar as needed.

• Use pitted dates or honey as natural sweetener instead of sugar.

• Incorporate oats (and more liquid) for a more substantial smoothie that will keep you full longer.

  
  

RECIPE

MOCHA BANANA TIRA MI SÙ SMOOTHIE 

Freshly brewed espresso, chocolatey-bitter cocoa powder, sugary dates and and creamy, sweet, frozen bananas; all blended with fresh cold milk and ice cubes to gorgeously rich and creamy frothiness. 

Recipe based on: Mocha Java Smoothie, by Ellie Krieger

INGREDIENTS: 

Makes 2 servings, or 2 x 2 ½ cups, or 2 x 625ml

• 2 shots espresso, left to cool (alternatively 2 rounded teaspoons instant espresso powder)

• 2 teaspoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder

• 2 cups (500 ml) non-dairy milk (or low fat cow milk for a non-vegan version)

• 2 ripe bananas, peeled, sliced and frozen on the day before

• 1 cup ice cubes

• Optional: brown sugar to taste

Equipment needed: High-speed Blender

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Make 2 shots of espresso and let them cool down. (Alternatively dissolve 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder in a small amount of boiling water.

   
   

2. Add the espresso together with the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy.

   
   

3. Taste, add sugar or a natural sweetener if needed and blend again.