At what point does a smoothie become a milkshake? This chocolate peppermint green smoothie is so rich and chocolatey that it’s definitely inching over into shake territory. It’s low in sugar but high in fiber and healthy fats, so it’s totally appropriate for breakfast. With a little whipped cream on top it can pass for dessert, too!
Ever since I did the 21 Days to Lean and Green program last June (read my review here), I’ve loved starting my mornings with a green smoothie or fresh green juice. At least, I did until winter got here. Something drinking an icy cold smoothie when it’s below freezing just seems wrong. Unless, of course, it’s this chocolate peppermint green smoothie. The combination of chocolate and peppermint always reminds me of Christmas and winter, so it seems much more appropriate for the season.
This is a great smoothie for people who are just starting to venture into the territory of green drinks – the cocoa powder makes the smoothie chocolatey brown and covers any trace of spinach that might otherwise be detected. A hefty helping of peppermint extract masks any other vegetal flavor that might be left and leaves them perfectly minty! (After photographing these, I handed one to Shawn to try and he drank almost half of it before he even thought to ask me what was in it!)
You have a choice with this smoothie: You can make it with avocado or with banana. I’ve been making them both ways and I can’t decide which I like better, although I think I lean slightly toward using avocado. Avocado makes the smoothie thicker and creamier, but if your avocado is too ripe it can have a little bit of a strong after taste. Less ripe avocados aren’t as strongly flavored as ripe ones, so I prefer to use those. You might also want to add a little extra syrup since the avocado base isn’t as banana. If you use banana, the smoothie will be sweeter and there won’t be an aftertaste at all, but the banana flavor is stronger – you can definitely taste it. Both versions are delicious, so it depends on what you’re in the mood for.
Chocolate Peppermint Green Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
(This post contains affiliate links)
I used just 1 tsp of peppermint extract. From the last time I tried to make a green chocolate peppermint smoothie, I learned that it was important to make sure the smoothie is sweet enough. Not too sweet! I have some tips for this one 🙂
•Use 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract so it isn’t overpowering. If you add too much, no amount of sweetener can save the shake!
•Freeze the banana chunks for an ice cream like texture (freezing a banana takes 2 hours)
•Avocado can make the smoothie more creamy. Don’t use more than 1/2 or you’ll definitely be able to taste it
Why no comment from someone who’s tried the recipe?
Mmmmm, GREAT idea! I wonder what it would be to try both the banana AND the avocado simultaneously…? Perhaps 1/2 a banana and 1/4 avocado?
I bet it would be doubly delicious!
You’ve hit on the combo that would finally make a green smoothie drinker out of me, Lauren!
I’m always ok with a smoothie that is like a milkshake!
This is the bomb. I love how pretty it is. I’m a peppermint fanatic so this is right up my alley.
I can’t believe you just made a healthy chocolate peppermint smoothie? Sign me up!
Simply stunning! I always make my smoothies thick like a shake and never quite know if I should call them a smoothie or shake 🙂
I love the sound of this smoothie. I’ll bet it would even taste good warm (like hot chocolate) for these cold winter mornings!
Huh, you are a clever lady. Avocado in the smoothie instead of banana? I could potentially get on board with this.
Yeah for chocolate smoothie. Love it!
What a great excuse to have chocolate for breakfast, this really looks tasty, thanks!
Love sneaky green smoothies! This one looks so decadent and refreshing.
I like to start my mornings with a little green as well. I find the taste of spinach so easy to hide. Some people can still taste it but I never can, which makes it my go to smoothie green. I’m going to try this! Never tried avocado in smoothies and now I’m intrigued!
I don’t think it’s a milkshake until you add ice cream! 😉 This sounds so delicious, a healthy boost that fools you into thinking it’s indulgent. Oh yeah.
I really really really want to get on the green smoothie bandwagon, but no matter what I put in them, I can always taste the green stuff. I’m intrigued by the idea of trying this one, though, seeing as chocolate and mint is one of my favouritest flavour combos… must run out and grab some spinach to give it a whirl.
A chocolate smoothie that is healthy? This is DEFINITELY a recipe I need to make!
I love both bananas and avocados so I will be trying it both ways!!
Delicious AND healthy…this is a winning combination! Yum!
This sounds almost too good to be true!
I love hiding green veggies in smoothies for my kids. My daughter hates to drink anything green so this works for us!
There are greens in there?! I hardly believe it, but I LOVE it. This sounds awesome.
xo sherrie
Green Smoothie + Chocolate = Heavens!!
Everything is SO RIGHT with this recipe! Amazing!
My kids would be so happy if I made these for them (chocolate and peppermint is their favorite), and I would feel so good serving it to them, knowing how healthy it really is.
Yum! I’ve got to try this one
This sounds absolutely refreshing – a great way to start your day!
Oh yeah! Now this is a smoothie I could get used to 🙂
Green is good! The addition of the peppermint is perfect! I have never tried peppermint in a smoothie, but I love the idea. So fresh!