Why You’ll Love This Raspberry Cacao Smoothie

• It tastes like a chocolate-covered raspberry. Honestly, the flavor profile is just incredible. The natural tartness of the raspberries cuts through the deep, bitter-sweetness of the raw cacao powder, creating a sophisticated taste that’s far from a typical, overly sweet smoothie.
• It’s incredibly versatile and forgiving. Don’t have almond milk? Use oat. Out of fresh bananas? A scoop of frozen mango will add similar creaminess. This recipe is a fantastic base for experimentation, so you can make it your own based on what you have on hand.
• The texture is pure luxury. By using frozen fruit, you achieve a thick, almost soft-serve-like consistency that’s deeply satisfying to sip. It’s genuinely creamy without needing any dairy, making it a dream for anyone with dietary restrictions.
• It comes together in under 5 minutes. For those rushed mornings or moments when you need something nourishing fast, this smoothie is your best friend. Just toss everything in the blender, whizz it up, and you’re good to go.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 large ripe banana (preferably frozen for extra creaminess)
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
• 1 tbsp almond butter or peanut butter
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
• 1-2 pitted Medjool dates, for natural sweetness (optional)
• A handful
• A pinch of sea salt (trust me, it makes a difference!)

Tools: A high-speed blender is ideal for getting that super smooth texture.

You’ll notice I specify frozen fruit—this is the secret weapon for that perfect, spoonable thickness. And about that almond butter… it adds a subtle nutty depth and healthy fats that keep you full for hours. A little goes a long way!

Serves: 1 (generously) | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Why freeze the banana? This is the single best trick for a creamy, milkshake-like texture. A frozen banana blends into a wonderfully thick and smooth base, eliminating any need for ice cream. Just peel ripe bananas, break them into chunks, and store them in a freezer bag.
• Raw cacao vs. cocoa powder—what’s the deal? Raw cacao powder is less processed, so it retains more nutrients and has a more intense, slightly fruity, and bitter chocolate flavor. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder works perfectly fine too and will give you a more classic, familiar hot-chocolate taste.
• Don’t skip the pinch of salt. It might seem odd, but salt is a flavor enhancer. It makes the chocolate notes pop and balances the sweetness from the banana and dates beautifully. You won’t taste the salt; you’ll just taste a better smoothie.
• How to adjust the sweetness. Start with one date, or even just the banana. Blend, taste, and then decide if you want to add the second date. The ripeness of your banana will greatly affect the final sweetness, so this tasting step is key.

How to Make Raspberry Cacao Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A slice of whole-grain toast with avocado — The creamy, savory fat from the avocado provides a lovely counterpoint to the sweet and tangy smoothie, making it a truly balanced meal.
• A handful of spiced roasted almonds — The crunch and warm spices (think a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon) create a fantastic textural and flavor contrast if you’re sipping this smoothie as a snack.
• A simple side of scrambled eggs — For a protein-packed breakfast, the eggs offer a savory element that complements the smoothie’s dessert-like qualities without overwhelming them.

Drinks

• A hot cup of black coffee — The bitterness of the coffee enhances the deep cacao notes in the smoothie, making for a sophisticated and energizing pairing.
• A glass of cold water with lemon — Sometimes simplicity is best. The clean, crisp lemon water helps to cleanse the palate between sips, making each taste of the smoothie feel fresh and new.
• A light, herbal tea like peppermint — The cool, refreshing quality of peppermint tea echoes the bright raspberry flavor and makes the whole experience feel even more revitalizing.

Something Sweet

• A small, chewy oatmeal raisin cookie — The warm spices and chewy texture are a delightful follow-up, continuing the cozy, wholesome vibe of the smoothie.
• A few squares of dark chocolate (70% or higher) — Double down on the chocolate theme! A piece of high-quality dark chocolate after your smoothie feels like a truly decadent finish.
• A simple bowl of fresh mixed berries — If you want to keep things light and fruity, a few fresh blueberries or strawberries on the side are a perfect, refreshing accompaniment.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using only fresh fruit. This is the most common reason for a watery smoothie. Without frozen fruit, you’ll end up with a thin drink that lacks that luxurious, thick body. Frozen fruit is non-negotiable for the best texture.
• Mistake: Adding the ingredients in the wrong order. Putting the frozen chunks in first can strain your blender’s motor and lead to uneven blending. Always start with liquids to create a vortex that pulls everything down smoothly.
• Mistake: Not tasting before serving. Blending is your chance to customize. I’ve messed this up before too—assuming the sweetness was right only to find it wasn’t. Always do a quick taste test and adjust accordingly.
• Mistake: Over-blending. Once it’s smooth, it’s done! Blending for too long can actually start to warm the smoothie up slightly due to the friction, which can slightly alter the fresh, cold taste.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make smoothie packs for busy mornings. Portion out the frozen banana, raspberries, and even the cacao powder into individual freezer bags. In the morning, just dump the bag into the blender, add the liquid and nut butter, and blend. It cuts down prep time to literally seconds.
• Tip: Add a secret ingredient for a nutrient boost. A handful of spinach is virtually undetectable in terms of taste but adds a great nutrient punch. For a protein kick, a scoop of unflavored collagen peptides or plant-based protein powder blends in seamlessly.
• Tip: Turn it into a smoothie bowl. If you want to eat it with a spoon, use a bit less liquid—maybe just 3/4 cup—to achieve an extra-thick consistency. Then, pour it into a bowl and go wild with toppings like granola, coconut flakes, and chia seeds.
• Tip: Clean your blender effortlessly. Right after pouring your smoothie, fill the blender jar halfway with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Blend for 30 seconds, rinse, and it’s clean! This is a serious game-changer for easy cleanup.

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
You can, but the texture is best immediately after blending. If you must prep ahead, make it and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will separate—this is totally normal! Just give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend before drinking. Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing the fully made smoothie as it can become a bit icy and grainy when thawed.

My smoothie is too tart! How can I fix it?
No worries, this is an easy fix! The tartness is coming from the raspberries. The easiest way to balance it is to add a bit more natural sweetness. Blend in another half or a full Medjool date, a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey, or even a chunk of very ripe pear. The ripeness of your banana is key here too—a banana with more brown spots will be much sweeter.

I don’t have a high-speed blender. Will a regular one work?
It will, but you might need to adapt your method. To help a less powerful blender, use slightly less frozen fruit or a bit more liquid. You may also need to stop and scrape down the sides several times. Soaking the date in warm water for 5-10 minutes to soften it can also make a big difference in how well it incorporates.

Is cacao powder the same as chocolate protein powder?
Not at all! Raw cacao powder is pure, ground cacao beans with no added ingredients. Chocolate protein powder is typically a blend of protein (like whey or pea), sweeteners, flavors, and a little cocoa. They serve different purposes. For this recipe, stick with plain cacao or cocoa powder for that pure, rich chocolate flavor without the extra sweetness or protein-powder taste.

Can I use a different nut butter?
Absolutely! This is a great way to change up the flavor. Peanut butter will give it a more pronounced, classic nutty taste. Cashew butter is very mild and creamy. Sunflower seed butter is a fantastic nut-free option—just be aware it will turn the smoothie a slightly greenish-brown color (it still tastes delicious, it’s just a chemistry thing!).