I created this festive recipe a few years back when I was pregnant because each time I was pregnant, I would CRAVE smoothies. Okay, and french fries… oh and just about anything SPICY. Hot sauce in a smoothie next? Only kidding!
This smoothie was just another one of my cravings that hit after making these incredible mint chocolate cookies, which reminded me of a cross between a mint Oreo and a peppermint patty. I thought, why not make a delicious nourishing mint chocolate smoothie that’s healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast?
Let’s do this thang!
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What makes this mint chocolate smoothie magical?
Let me tell you all about this creamy, thick, healthy chocolate peppermint smoothie recipe. It’s pretty much a winter party — St. Nick said so himself.
- It’s naturally sweetened (without banana). I personally love bananas in my smoothies, but I know that some people aren’t big fans. This smoothie is sweetened with dates! If you’re a fan of date sweetened smoothies, check out my tahini date smoothie and my chocolate zucchini smoothie!
- It’s vegan. There’s no dairy in this recipe, keeping it vegan.
- It’s perfect for customizing. You’ll see my notes about all of the amazing add-ins you can try. You really can’t go wrong!
- The flavor is out-of-this-world. If you love thin mints or shamrock shakes, you’re going to absolutely love this mint chocolate smoothie.
- You can add booze (if you want!) This chocolate mint smoothie actually makes an amazing, healthier adult beverage! See below for delicious options.
Ingredients in this chocolate mint smoothie
The base of these mint chocolate smoothie recipe is super simple and even has a sneaky veggie. Here’s what you’ll need to make it, plus some delicious mix-ins depending on what you’re feeling:
- Medjool dates: the whole smoothie is sweetened with a few dates. That’s it! Be sure to use pitted dates or remove the pit before adding the dates to your smoothie.
- Cauliflower: that’s right, we’re adding frozen cauliflower right into the smoothie. You won’t taste it at all and it keeps the smoothie super thick without watering it down like ice can.
- Cacao powder: the chocolate part of this mint chocolate smoothie comes from delicious, rich cacao powder. Did you know that 1 serving of cacao powder has a good amount of iron and manganese? I prefer cacao over cocoa for its nutritional benefits.
- Tahini: we’re adding healthy fat and creaminess from tahini. Feel free to also use their chocolate tahini – yum!
- Extracts: you’ll want to add a bit of vanilla extract and a tiny bit of peppermint extract to give the smoothie that minty flavor.
- Sea salt: trust me on this, a pinch of sea salt really brings all of the flavors together.
- Optional mix-ins: I love adding protein powder, flaxseed meal, spinach and/or rolled oats to boost the nutrients in the smoothie. Up to you! You can also add espresso powder for a minty mocha flavor or make this a peppermint mocha smoothie — see my notes in the recipe!
- Naughty & nice: you’re probably wondering where the “naughty” is coming from…feel free to make this a yummy, boozy shake by adding 1 shot of Bailey’s cream, Peppermint Schnapp’s or Kahlua!
Easy ingredient swaps
Not only is this mint chocolate smoothie perfect for adding your fav mix-ins, it’s also easy to swap in ingredients that you have on hand.
- Instead of cacao powder, feel free to use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- If you don’t have tahini, you can also use almond or cashew butter (or chocolate almond butter!)
- Yes, you can use ice instead of frozen cauliflower, but blend it carefully as ice can be hard to completely blend up and the smoothie likely won’t be as smooth.
How to make it a peppermint mocha smoothie
Turn this mint chocolate smoothie recipe into a peppermint mocha smoothie: Instead of 1 cup almond milk, add ½ cup cold coffee + ½ cup almond milk or coconut milk. Or, you can simply add a package of instant coffee granules or 1 teaspoon of espresso powder.
Don’t forget to soften your dates
Be sure you soften those dates before blending them. You’ll simply soak your pitted dates in 1 cup of warm water for at least 5 minutes. This will help them soften up and ensure you can easily blend them.
Pro smoothie-making tips
- Using frozen cauliflower as it helps keep the smoothie cold and thick. Sometimes ice doesn’t blend as well (or can make your smoothie watery), so it’s best not to skip unless absolutely necessary.
- Don’t be afraid to add more liquid if your smoothie is too thick or won’t fully blend. High powered blenders tend to blend frozen ingredients much better, so if you have a regular or personal size blender, you may need to add more milk.
- Start the blender on low speed, then gradually increase the speed to high to help blend all ingredients. End with the blender on low speed.
Meal prep this mint chocolate smoothie
Yes, you can make this easy mint chocolate smoothie ahead of time to enjoy later! I have three amazing methods for prepping and storing smoothies right in your freezer. You’ll learn the ice cube tray method, the mason jar method and the freezer pack method. Get all of my tips and tricks here!
More smoothie recipes you’ll love
- Snickerdoodle Tahini Date Smoothie
- Get Your Greens in Smoothie (the best green smoothie!)
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Good Morning Coffee Lover’s Smoothie
- Cinnamon Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie
Get all of my smoothie recipes here!
I hope you St. Nick’s Naughty & Nice Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
St. Nick’s Naughty & Nice Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie
Ingredients
- 3 pitted large Medjool dates (¼ cup packed pitted Medjool dates)
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or sub light coconut milk), plus more to thin smoothie if necessary
- ¾ cup frozen cauliflower
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon tahini (or sub chocolate tahini or chocolate almond butter)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional:
- 1 shot of Bailey’s cream, Peppermint Schnapp’s or Kahula
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 scoop your favorite protein powder
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 1 cup spinach
- ¼ cup gluten free rolled oats
Instructions
- First soak your pitted dates in 1 cup of HOT water for at least 5 minutes. This will help them soften up and perfect for blending. While the dates are soaking you can get all your other ingredients out, measured and ready.
- Next add all ingredients to a high powered blender: pitted dates, almond milk, frozen cauliflower, cacao powder, tahini, vanilla and peppermint extract and a pinch of salt. Feel free to add any optional add-ins to your smoothie if you’d like. Blend until smooth, adding more almond milk to thin, if necessary. Pour into a glass and enjoy! Serves 1. Feel free to double the recipe to serve 2.
Recipe Notes
Instead of 1 cup almond milk, add ½ cup cold coffee + ½ cup milk. Or, you can simply add a package of instant coffee granules or 1 teaspoon of espresso powder.
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This pos was originally published on December 14th, 2020, and republished on December 20th, 2023.
So good! Especially around the holidays with the peppermint! I added a scoop of chocolate protein powder + some spinach for an extra boost.
Absolutely! Great idea to add chocolate protein powder 🙂
Could you use steamed and frozen zucchini instead cauliflower? I use it raptor replace bananas sometimes and cauliflower kills my stomach?
Yes that should work! It’s mostly too thicken the smoothie 🙂
One of my go-to smoothies when craving something yummy and chocolatey. Because of you, I get excited when I see tahini and chocolate:) I use fresh mint from my garden—delish!
Aw I love that! Fresh mint sounds delicious 🙂
It’s Christmas Eve, and this was so tasty and festive! I added the protein powder and spinach so it was the perfect nutritious, protein packed breakfast before a busy, carb heavy day!! Don’t know where I’d be without your smoothie recipes, they’re THE best out there. Merry Christmas Monique! 🙂
Love that! Perfect pre-holiday breakfast 🙂 Merry Christmas!
I was out of bananas but still wanted a smoothie, so I tried this recipe. I swapped tahini and cauliflower for almond butter and ice and added chocolate collagens and spinach and HOLY CRAP this is literally now one of my favorite smoothies without bananas. Scratch that- favorite smoothie PERIOD. A MUST TRY! Not to mention perfect for Christmas coming up!! Thank you for this fabulous recipe!!!
Amazing!! So glad you loved this one!
Should the cauliflower be steamed before freezing and are you measuring florets or riced cauliflower?
I used Florets in this recipe, but riced cauliflower will work too. I didn’t steam mine before freezing, but you can if you prefer. Enjoy!
This smoothie is my wintertime treat, love it so much! Easy to throw together and bursting with delicious flavors.
So glad you are enjoying this recipe.
This was so refreshing! I wasn’t sure how almond butter and peppermint extract would taste together, so I took out the almond butter, and then added in some dandy blend for a coffee flavor instead of espresso powder. It was so good! I also used ice because I didn’t have cauliflower. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
That sounds delicious! So glad you loved it, Laney 🙂
I really liked this! I will definitely keep this in my rotation of smoothies. I did add in the flax, kale (similar to spinach but I personally don’t love spinach), and a little oatmeal. Otherwise, followed the main recipe. Next time, think I might throw in a little frozen banana! This is DECADENT!
So happy you enjoyed it! And banana would be great in here 🙂
Made this twice now in the last week. Delicious and filling. Thank you!
YAY so glad that you’re a fan!
Absolutely incredible!! I modified this to a Mexican chocolate smoothie because I had cinnamon almond butter by swapping the peppermint extract for cinnamon + a touch of cayenne. Also used Fage 0% greek yogurt and water instead of almond milk. **Chefs Kiss**
Love it! So glad you enjoyed!
So refreshing and tastey. I did two dates instead if three and added half a frozen banana for extra creaminess. Perfect for when the afternoon sweet craving hits.
Really yummy. I followed the directions exactly and added the spinach and flax. I wish mine had been a bit thicker/creamier. Maybe I’ll add more of the cauliflower rice and/or the oats next time. But great flavor and a nice afternoon “treat”.
Glad you enjoyed! And yes feel free to add a bit more to thicken it up 🙂
Best winter smoothie ever! I had it for breakfast but next time I’ll try the “naughty” version with Bailey’s as a snack.
So glad you loved it! Great idea 🙂
Hi! These glasses are so beautiful – where are they from?
Hi! They belong to my photographer, so I’m not sure 🙂 sorry!
This was so yummy, I can’t believe it’s relatively healthy too! We added Buffalo trace bourbon cream, so good!
Love it! Glad you enjoyed!
Tastes like the holidays! Easy and delicious to make!
Absolutely! Glad you liked it 🙂
So, so good! Minty and refreshing. So easy and perfect for a winter day or night. I used ice because I like thin smoothies. I didn’t have tahini or almond butter so I used peanut butter and honestly it was fine! I’m for sure adding Bailey’s next time! Thanks so much Monique for another fabulous smoothie!
Absolutely! So glad you enjoyed!