Behold the magic of blue spirulina! While this ingredient is specialized and may take special ordering, having this vibrant blue powder in your cupboard can serve as a natural food coloring for this mint cacao milkshake and beyond. (We also use it to make blue pancakes, yogurt, and frosting.)
If you’re not familiar with spirulina, it is an algae and contains plenty of nutrients and vitamins, including protein, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, and B vitamins. Because it lacks cellulose cell walls, it’s easily digestible and is often used as a dietary supplement.
That’s where this magical blue milkshake comes in. It has two secret ingredients—powerhouse spirulina and frozen avocado. Combined, they make a creamy, nutritious, and photo-worthy milkshake you can enjoy as part of your regular diet. And as if this beauty could get any better, we’ve added peppermint extract and cacao nibs for a healthy spin on the mint chocolate chip shake.
Make. Snap pictures. Enjoy.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 teaspoon blue spirulina
½ a medium avocado, flesh removed and previously frozen for at least 30 minutes
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon cacao nibs, reserve a few for garnish
2 cup almond milk, unsweetened
½ tablespoon honey
INSTRUCTIONS:
To begin, scoop out avocado flesh into a small bowl and place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. (Freezing avocado for future smoothies is a great way to extend the life of super ripe avos.)
When you are ready to make the shake, add the spirulina, honey, peppermint extract, milk, and frozen avocado to a blender. Blend until smooth, adding additional milk until you reach your preferred thickness.
Once blended, add the cacao nibs to your shake and stir to combine with a spoon. Pour into a glass that is able to show off the brilliant blue. Top with a few extra cacao nibs, a straw, and serve.
Makes 2 servings.
NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING):
Calories 1585
Protein 2.6 g
Total fat 8.9 g
Saturated fat 1.2 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Carbs 18 g
Fiber 2.8 g
Total sugars 13 g
Added sugars 13 g
Sodium 198 mg
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Leandra Rouse
Leandra is a Fitbit coach and culinary nutritionist who has 20 years of experience helping her clients find joy in their health journey. She practices functional fitness as a fitness coach in the Discover section of the Fitbit app, as well as through her in-home personal training business. As a nutritional consultant to chefs, Leandra helps to develop and market wellness products and concepts. Over her career, Leandra has worked extensively with top Bay Area companies such as Fitbit, Airbnb, Asana, Gap, bobbie, Tipsy, and more, to create engaging wellness content and education programs. Leandra lives with her husband and two young girls on the Big Island of Hawaii, and loves the challenge of feeding and moving with her babies.