Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake
This Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake is a low-carb boost of caffeine AND protein to help you make it through your day! It’s the perfect keto breakfast drink.
You are going to love the festive flavor and creamy texture of this Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake! This breakfast drink recipe is full of caffiene, fat, protein, and fiber for a well-balanced and healthy start to your day. Use your favorite protein powder to bulk up this smoothie and leave you feeling fueled and ready for anything!
This peppermint mocha smoothie requires very little prep time, doesn’t require a banana, and is a great way to use up leftover coffee! The peppermint flavoring is perfect for bringing out the Christmas spirit no matter what time of year it is. Because we swapped the ice for frozen avocado, you get the bonus of healthy fats while skipping the watered down bottom of a melted iced peppermint mocha! It’s the perfect breakfast shake for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what you need for this easy shake. Find exact measurements and full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Cold Brew Coffee – It is SO easy to make your own cold brew at home! If you don’t have any, feel free to make a strong cup of coffee and let it chill in the fridge until it’s cold.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk – This gives a great creamy texture without adding a ton of carbs. You can use dairy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk if you prefer, just know that the carbs will be affected.
- Frozen Avocado – Adds AMAZING creaminess without affecting the flavor. If your avocado is not frozen, you will need to add ice which will water down your shake. I highly recommend freezing the avocado!
- Cottage Cheese – Gives a dose of protein and fat while helping with the creamy factor.
- Sweetener – We used granular monk fruit, but feel free to use Swerve, sugar, or your preferred sweetener. Liquid stevia, maple syrup, or some local raw honey could also be great sweeteners.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Peppermint Extract, Chocolate Protein Powder – These are our flavor makers! Make sure that your protein powder is low-carb and keto-friendly if that is important to you.
Optional garnishes: Sugar-free whipped cream, chocolate shavings, crushed peppermints
How do I make a protein shake with coffee?
This couldn’t be simpler! All you need is a blender for this easy recipe. Add all ingredients EXCEPT the protein powder to a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Add your scoop of protein powder in and blend again for a few seconds until well combined. Pour into a tall glass, top with sugar-free whipped cream and chocolate shavings, and serve immediately.
Serve
This protein shake is great on its own, but you can always pair it with an easy keto breakfast like Chocolate Muffins or Cinnamon Rolls for a sweet morning treat!
Tips for making the best Mocha Protein Shake:
- Try different types of coffee — I love mine really strong, but feel free to experiment with different flavors and roasts! For a stronger coffee flavor, you can use espresso. Feel free to use coffee ice cubes if you have them!
- Adjust your sweetener — We all like different levels of sweetness, so consider starting with one tablespoon of sweetener, tasting, and then adding another tablespoon if you want it sweeter. People who have been keto for longer often like things a bit less sweet.
- Don’t make it before you’re ready — Save this for a time you can drink it immediately after making it. While it doesn’t get watered down because we didn’t use ice, I do think the texture is nicest when it’s still good and cold.
- Consider different flavor additions — You could add almond butter, toasted coconut, or whatever flavors you prefer!
- Watch your ingredients — If you’re on a low-carb diet, be careful what you use! Some milks, protein powders, and sweeteners have different amounts of carbs.
Peppermint Mocha FAQs
If you don’t want the holiday flavors and would prefer just a mocha smoothie, you can leave out the extract or replace it with vanilla extract. If you are adding peppermint, make sure it is EXTRACT, not essential oil–Those are usually not for ingesting.
We like cottage cheese for the creamy texture, low carbs, and high protein content. You could replace this with ricotta cheese, a low-carb full-fat greek yogurt, or even chia pudding if you would like.
More Coffee Drinks:
- Keto Mocha Frappuccino
- Keto Coffee Frappuccino (Starbucks copycat)
- Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino
- Keto Peppermint Bark Latte
- Iced Peppermint Latte (dairy free)
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cold brew coffee
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ⅓ cup frozen avocado
- ¼ cup cottage cheese
- 1-2 tbsp monkfruit sweetener
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅛ tsp peppermint extract
- 1 scoop keto chocolate protein powder
- Keto whipped cream, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except the protein powder) to a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Add the protein powder and blend again for a few seconds until well blended. Pour into a tall glass, top with keto whipped cream if desired, and drink up!
Notes
- Use 1 or 2 tbsp of monkfruit sweetener, depending on how sweet you want your drink and how sweet your protein powder is.
- Substitute in your unsweetened milk of choice if desired.
Peppermint mochas are my weakness! I usually only drink them around the holidays, but I would love to whip up this iced version. Sounds delicious!
I just love that flavor combo! I could drink it all year long! I think you will love this Gayle!
I had that happen my first semester of college. I thought I was genius by scheduling all my classes Tuesday and Thursday. Hello 4 day weekends! But, being in class for about 12 hours a day on Tues/Thurs wasn’t ideal. I was wiped out by the end. And I was running all over campus. Learned my lesson the following semester. This frap sounds delicious! Love a nice iced drink. And the added protein is wonderful!
This is right up my alley! I was one of those people who wanted to be in and out of the University in a morning, too, but our campus was super small! It was totally possible. Then I went home for a nap. Lol. Those were the days!
This looks amazing! I love that you can make the McCafé coffee ahead of time so that the morning rush doesn’t feel quite so rushed! Thanks for sharing #client
Oh man, walking around campus in the rain was the worst! I remember being so happy when the rubber rain galoshes became “cool” haha! These frappucinos look so good! I love making stuff like this at home and saving so much money!
I love peppermint mochas, and this is such a great recipe to make at home and save a few bucks! Plus there’s protein in it to help you feel full — great idea, Annie!
This frappuccino looks amazing! Love the peppermint flavour! 😀
I can remember running through campus too!
This drink looks amazing. I have never tried cold brewing coffee but I definitely like the idea of making a large batch. 🙂
Oh my goodness, I have such a thing for peppermint mochas! There’s just something about the strong mix of mint with chocolate that I can’t get enough of! I can’t wait to give this recipe a try 🙂
i made something similar that im posting tomorrow but mine wasnt protein packed (sad face) this is phenomenal! way to go!
I went to a big university for grad school and remember running across campus in the blazing heat. It was awful! I would have loved a cold mocha frappuccino to cool me down. These look perfect!
I love anything with peppermint, this just sounds amazing! I’ve never thought to add protein powder to my coffee before, but that’s just genius. Definitely need to give this a try!
Aww, I feel for you! I was lucky to have most of my classes in one area, but occasionally I’d have to do a mad dash, too! Love this frappuccino, looks so thick and delicious!
I went to a TINY college, so often times my classes were just down the hall from one another. I can’t commiserate on your mad dashes across campus (crazy!) but I do remember how much I relied on coffee to get through my busy schedule. Even years out of college and I still do. 🙂 This looks awesome – I love mint + chocolate (+caffeine!) together in drinks.
Mint, chocolate, and coffee. Could you EVER go wrong with a killer combo like this?! I’m seriously swooning here, Annie! These frappes look so amazing. Can’t wait to make these for my mom! Mint, choc, and coffee is her all-time fav combo!
You will love it Sarah! So easy and so tasty!
This looks delicious! SO yum 🙂
Thanks Medha! I love a good mocha!
The Perfect start to the day! Yum!