I try to drink some type of green smoothie every day. They just make me feel like I’m doing something wonderful for my body and, you may not believe this, but if you get over the whole “green” thing, they taste amazing. I try to experiment with some of my favorite flavors to change up my smoothies. My Almond Coffee Green Smoothie is my absolute favorite and has been really popular on the blog. This chai smoothie is a new favorite. If you love the flavors of chai, you’ll recognize them at first sip! I promise…you will never, ever taste the spinach.
Vanilla Almond Chai Green Smoothie
5 – 6 ice cubes
2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/8 cup whole raw almonds (12 – 18), optional
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup fresh spinach (or more, if you’d like)
1 teaspoon honey or pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of ground cardamom
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of ground nutmeg
a few cracks of black pepper
Combine all of the ingredients into a blender. Blend on high until smooth.
Serves 2 small servings or 1 large serving
Notes:
- If you are using regular almond milk, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract
- You can double this recipe to make two large servings. When doubling the “pinches” use a scant 1/8 teaspoon.
- If you are looking for a strictly vegetable and fruit smoothie without any type of dairy or non-dairy milk product, you’ll love my Green Smoothie! It’s very fresh, fruity and citrusy!
Thank you for sharing this recipe, you are absolutely right that you do not taste the spinach and I think will be a great option for my brunch menu with kids and friends who are not as in to green drinks.
The flavors are so refreshing and I definitely get the chai taste immediately, great for me as I recently given up Starbucks Chai tea!
I used unfrozen bananas, left out the honey and black pepper but otherwise followed exact. It’s amazing, going in my “fav file”.
It’ll take a while for me to lose the smile you put on my face, Tawana! I’m so happy you liked this and kudos to you for giving up your Starbucks! This is a great healthy alternative. So kind of you to take the time to share your experience!
ooohh new fave, so yummy!! I want to make another one right now! Used what I had on hand – skim milk, super greens mix (instead of spinach), 1 packet of monk fruit, skipped the cardamom cause I didn’t have any (but I will get some!). Can’t wait to make it again – thank you for the great recipe!
Yay! Love your substitutions, Christina! So happy you liked it! Yes…try it with cardamom too! You’ll love it! Thanks for the smile!
I found this recipe on Pinterest and tried it today… It was delicious! I added vanilla whey protein powder too so it’s more of a meal replacement but otherwise didn’t mess with your recipe. Thanks so much… it’s now on the regular schedule! Lol :-)
I love that you added the protein, Jennie! So glad you like it! Thanks for taking the time to comment…means the world to me!
Excellent. I used some leftover kale instead of spinach, and honey instead of stevia.
I’m so glad you liked this, Amber! Great idea to use kale and honey! Thanks so much for sharing!
This was delicious- thank you!
I’m so glad you liked it Beca! Thanks for taking the time to let me know! :)
This smoothie was awesome! Loved it so much! Thank you for the recipe, I will definitely be making it many more times in the future. :)
Thank you so much, Arielle! I’m so happy you loved it! It’s one of my favorites. It was so sweet of you to take the time to let me know!
Made this for breakfast. I have found a new love!! Even my picky son liked it. Used regular milk and 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder, instead of almond milk. Left out the stevia, since bananas are already high in sugar. Thanks for the recipe.
Great substitutions, Christine! I love your ideas and I agree…if you’ve got a really sweet banana, you can leave the stevia out. Thanks so much for sharing! I’m so glad you and your son love this…I do too. We drink so many smoothies, I just like that this is something completely different.
I think this is the best smoothie I have ever made!!! Thank you so much for posting this awesome recipe.
Elizabeth, you’ve made my entire day! I am so happy you liked it so much! That is one of my favorites too! You are so sweet to take the time to come back and let me know! Thank you!
Love this smoothie combo!!
Thank you Kelli! I’m so glad you think so. It’s my favorite!
I too am a huge fan of green smoothies! I probably have one for breakfast at least 3 or 4 times a week. It just sets my day off on the right foot. I am a huge fan of chai, so I’m thinking this will be tomorrow’s breakfast! I admire your bravery with the pepper! Does that add to the chai flavor? Thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you’ll be making this Morgan! Let me know how you like it! The pepper does sound odd, doesn’t it? But, yeah…pepper does add to the “chai” flavor. I just give my grinder a turn or two, so, it’s just a little bit. Thanks for stopping by!
This is absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I made it a second time with the addition of Vanilla Whey Protein powder and regular unsweetened Almond milk…. also delicious with the added boost of protein.
Michelle, you just made my day! I love hearing back from readers! The addition of the whey powder is an awesome idea! I’ll have to give that a try! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know you liked it and to pass along that great tip! Really sweet of you!
These flavors sound amazing together! I can’t wait to try it. I also try to drink smoothies as often as possible so this is right up my ally.
Jen, I’m so glad you think so! I wasn’t sure how this would turn out when experimenting, but I was so surprised by how good it was! I hope you love it too! :)