My favorite green monster of all time has officially been created. Move over, peanut butter green monster. There’s a new beverage in town.
It’s actually weird how much I like this green monster, ’cause I’m not even a coffee drinker, but I swear to you that this tastes like a filling, delicious, gourmet (and green) fancy coffee drink. It’s not just coffee and ice cubes, my friends, it’s magic. Even more magical than the fact that I am watching Harry Potter 7.1 for the second time in two days.
And for you coffee drinkers out there, I can’t even begin to imagine how your world is about to be rocked. I’ve tried making a coffee green monster before, and it was okay. Something about this morning’s inspiration just worked.
Café au Lait Green Monster
- 1 C coffee, chilled if possible (if hot, like mine was, compensate with some extra ice cubes!)
- 2 large handfuls baby spinach (this may not be as Starbucks-tasting with other greens)
- 3-4 ice cubes (I used more once I realized how warm mine was going to be, made with hot coffee)
- 1 really ripe banana, frozen
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 1/3 C milk
Combine the ingredients in this order: coffee, vanilla, spinach, ice, bananas.
Blend until nice and smooth, and pour into the worlds largest mug/mixing bowl with a handle fit for consumption. You can add ice until it reaches the consistency and temperature that you want, but keep in mind that you’ll be watering down the coffee (this might have been good for me!).
Here’s the kicker–pour the milk over the top and mix in. You could just toss the milk in the blender with the other ingredients, but then it wouldn’t swirl with the green foam on top and look extra pretty.
Optional: floral spoon for added fanciness.
I’m not kidding when I say that I really loved this green monster more than any other green monster. I actually laughed out loud like an addled old lady in my empty apartment this morning when I first tasted it. I also drank the whole thing in about two minutes.
(While watching Real Housewives of Atlanta and straightening my hair. Hey, girl’s gotta have some “me” time, ya know?)
I had a cup or two of coffee leftover, so I tossed it into the fridge in a Tupperware so I can try again tomorrow with cold coffee. Will let you know how that goes–but I can only imagine it will be a success.
Have a beautiful night!
17 comments
2 pings
Skip to comment form ↓
Michelle Sieburg
November 11, 2011 at 7:53 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Holy Yum… I brewed a cup of pumpkin spice coffee with my Keurig, chilled it, then made this. I also drizzed unsweetened soy milk over the top instead of regular milk… Drinking it right now and it’s the perfect breakfast for a busy day with three kids! (No, I didn’t have another one, I have my sister’s son on Fridays!) I agree, this is the my FAVORITE green monster yet.
Ashley
January 18, 2012 at 1:49 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Brewing coffee for this right now and I can’t wait! Two ideas I was going to share so the coffee doesn’t get watered down. Freeze some of your brewed coffee in ice cube trays and use that instead of regular ice cubes. You could also use frozen spinach – still good for you, not quite as expensive and helps to cool the drink.
Lauren Zietsman
January 18, 2012 at 9:15 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
hm never even thought to use frozen spinach…and the coffee cubes are such a great idea! thanks for the tips
Charlene Austin
February 20, 2012 at 4:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Girl…..you are officially my new BFF. I love everything I try from your blog but I made this Cafe au Lait green smoothie today and OMG!!! It is amazing. To die for and now my newest favorite. I love having a green smoothie every day and have yet to find one I don’t like but this is really a treat! Thank you so much!
Lauren Zietsman
February 23, 2012 at 4:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
you are my BFF because you just reminded me why I need more green monsters in my life again (I stop craving them when it gets cold out) and I just had one for lunch!
Charlene Austin
February 26, 2012 at 2:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Something tells me if anyone can come up with a “warm” green smoothie you can! Maybe a hot chocolate -banana-coffee smoothie? I do find a smoothie can cause me to get a bit cold sometimes too but I still have them daily for lunch. I have made this one with less ice and/or a banana I didn’t freeze. Hmmmm…..maybe I’ll try it with a hot coffee today. I’ll blame the snow outside for making me do it if it doesn’t work out. Lol.
Lauren Zietsman
February 26, 2012 at 7:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
let me know how that goes!!
Charlene Austin
March 2, 2012 at 3:30 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Eh….not so great. It just ended up being lukewarm so I poured it over ice. Lol.
Kimberly
April 2, 2012 at 10:49 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hey! I was trying to reply to your note on my blog but it was returned!
I am going to try some of your recipes!
And it is TOO hot here- 92 today! Blech!
Kimberly
April 2, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oops- that message was for Charlene! I’m stupid!
Julie
June 25, 2012 at 10:01 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OK, Ii’ve never made a green monster smoothie, but keep seeing them. Does the spinach completely liquify after going through the blender?
Lauren Zietsman
June 25, 2012 at 11:34 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
yes it does! let it go for a few minutes and you definitely can’t taste any leafiness…kale might be another story if you don’t have a strong blender
Blair
August 16, 2012 at 5:08 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Just discovered your blog and have been going banana sandwich trying your recipes- so amazing!!! I’m totally addicted to these green monsters! A thought that i stole from my clever mother: pour coffee into ice cube trays and freeze! It makes great iced coffee (you dont have to worry about hot coffee melting regular ice and getting watered down) and i bet it would work for this, too!
Lauren Zietsman
August 17, 2012 at 1:49 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
glad you like them! awesome idea–i’ll definitely have to try it!
AlaskaChristina
February 21, 2013 at 5:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have been looking everywhere for a list of protein shakes, smoothies, etc and via pinterest… here they/you are!! I cannot wait to try some of these! These one looks so wonderful!!
Valerie
March 11, 2013 at 8:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have been having protein shakes and smoothies for YEARS without spinach. Not anymore!! I am obsessed with them and even have our picky daughters asking for them. Thank you for your recipes and for your site. I am going to try this one next.
Nancy
April 29, 2013 at 3:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This smoothie is AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Who’d have thought that spinach and coffee can be good together! My hubby loves this one!
Mocha Green Monster » A Full Measure of Happiness
February 26, 2012 at 7:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] mocha green monster is just a twist on my current ultimate favorite, the café au lait green monster. I had a super, super, super-ripe banana (read: black) just begging to be used, so I knew this [...]
Bacon Batter Bread » A Full Measure of Happiness
February 29, 2012 at 8:48 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] felt quite so exhausted as I did at 6:30 today. Just a revitalizing shower and quick dinner (and cafe au lait green monster) later, and I’m feeling much [...]