Calling all coffee lovers! We’ve got a gorgeous java-filled drink for you to enjoy that’s packed with gut health benefits and sweetened with fruit. Our creamy Coffee Caramel Coconut Smoothie made with Lifeway Lowfat Coconut Kefir blends dates, banana, and cold-brew with unsweetened shredded coconut for a satisfying smoothie packed with probiotics, protein, and a refreshing flavor you’ll love.
In the midst of trendy coffee drinks popping up everywhere, we decided to create one of our own that joins the sunny tastes of summer with cozy, deeper flavors reminscent of fall. Light, sweet banana and tropical coconut combine with Medjool dates, which provide a divine, caramel-like sweetness. These ingredients blend wonderfully with the bold notes of cold-brew coffee frozen into ice cubes ahead of time for a flavorful, frosty drink you’ll adore. Chocolate shavings on top bring everything together in this delightful, chilly sip that helps keep you full, supports your gut health, and is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with billions of live probiotics that make it a dream to use in smoothies, and it’s rich in natural protein to support healthy muscles and overall metabolic health. Our Lowfat Coconut Kefir is the perfect flavor choice for this recipe, but if you can’t find it, don’t sweat it! Several options would work beautifully here, such as our Organic Whole Milk Coconut Honey Kefir, our Lowfat or Whole Milk Vanilla flavors, or even our Lowfat Plain or Whole Milk Plain if you want it less sweet. Choose your favorite variety, then head to the kitchen to blend this up with us — you’ll be glad you did!
Find Lifeway Kefir and our other probiotic offerings in a store near you or shop online, and discover more ways to use Lifeway products in the kitchen here.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health.
Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, support the digestive system, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1. Lifeway Kefir also contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health including vitamins D3, K, and B 12 along with calcium and potassium. Along with our kefir, we also offer our creamy, cultured Lifeway Farmer Cheese, a high protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that’s easy to spread and contains no added salt or sugar.
Prep Time: 5 mins Servings: 1 large serving or 2 small servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold brew coffee, frozen in an ice cube tray beforehand
- 1 1/4 cup Lowfat Coconut Kefir
- 1 large frozen banana (sliced if needed)
- 3 pitted Medjool dates
- 2 tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut
- Garnishes: chocolate shavings/flakes or chocolate chips, banana slices, additional unsweetened shredded coconut
Directions
- Prep: Be sure the coffee is frozen into ice cubes ahead of time.
- Add the Lifeway Kefir, frozen banana, dates, and 2 tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut to a blender, and blend to combine. Add in the frozen coffee ice cubes last, blend again, then pour into 1-2 glasses.
- Garnish with chocolate flakes or chips, additional unsweetened shredded coconut, and banana slices. Serve right away and enjoy!
