This Chocolate Espresso Smoothie recipe and product giveaway are sponsored by SweetLeaf. All content and opinions are my own.
Since we’re smack dab in the middle of summer and the humidity is crazy over here in NYC, I thought a refreshing smoothie recipe was in order. I make smoothies daily this time of year. They’re quick, easy, don’t require turning on the oven, and can be very nutritious if made the right way.
For me, a healthy smoothie should contain a good dose of protein, no excess sugar, and be relatively low in fat. If I want to sweeten a smoothie naturally I like to add ripe frozen bananas, a couple of dates, or these SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops.
Just 1-2 tiny drops of this liquid stevia adds so much delicious flavor without adding any calories, sugar, or artificial ingredients. These drops come in a variety of flavors and can be used in so many different ways: in desserts, oatmeal, yogurt, coffee, and more. I used the chocolate drops in this Chocolate Espresso Smoothie recipe and the Vanilla Creme drops are delicious in homemade lattes!
Unlike other sugar-free syrups that are often used in your favorite coffee drinks, these drops are made from stevia, which comes from the stevia plant, and don’t contain any chemicals or added junk.
This Chocolate Espresso Smoothie is perfect for breakfast or as a mid-morning boost because it has everything you need to fuel your day: protein, caffeine, and good carbs. I used unflavored egg white protein powder to make this recipe, but it would also work with a vegan protein powder, such as pea protein.
For even more nutrients, you’re welcome to add a handful of fresh spinach leaves. When they’re blended up with all of the other ingredients, you don’t even taste them, promise!
I know you’re going to love this Chocolate Espresso Smoothie because it pretty much tastes like an ice cream milkshake, but without dairy, excess sugar, and fat. Besides, who doesn’t like the convenience of having your breakfast and coffee in one glass!?
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Sweetleaf is giving away FIVE of their flavored Sweet Drops and a box of SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener packets (retail value: $75).
–> To enter: Just leave a comment on this post stating your favorite smoothie ingredient.
I will randomly select one winner a week from today, Friday, July 27th at 5PM ET. USA only. The winner will be emailed directly. Good luck!!!

This Chocolate Espresso Smoothie recipe is protein-packed and contains two shots of espresso to kick-start your morning! Dairy-Free, Vegan & Ready in 5 min.
- 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk*
- 2 shots brewed espresso (about 1/4 cup)
- 3/4 frozen banana**
- 2 Tablespoons unflavored dairy-free protein powder
- 1-1.5 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder or carob powder, to taste
- 3-4 drops SweetLeaf Chocolate Sweet Drops
- 3-4 ice cubes
- handful fresh spinach (optional)
-
Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour smoothie into a glass and serve immediately.
*I like my smoothies thick. If you prefer a thinner smoothie, add more almond milk.
**The riper the banana that you use, the sweeter the smoothie will be.
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Megan
I love me some PEANUT BUTTER in my smoothies! This one looks great, can’t wait to give it a try
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Me too!! PB in smoothies is the best!
Esther
This is quite the yummy treat and healthy to boot!
betty
Berries
always berries
Charles Sedano
Agreed! I prefer blueberries but just about any berry will work nicely.
Linda McFail
I like to add almond butter to my smoothies to give it a little more potein, love the sweetleaf drops for added sweetness
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
I love almond butter, too!
Chrissie N
Raspberries
Kaylee Callister
Almond milk is definitely a HUGE must for me with any smoothie…it just gets the creamy texture right. I love so many different types of smoothies, so that’s my basic favorite 😂😂
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Me too! I love almond milk in my smoothies!
Judith Bayer
I love a strawberry smoothie with either pineapple, banana or blueberries added. It’s so refreshing especially during the summer.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Perfect summer flavors!
Michele
Wow…did not know about these Chocolate Stevia drops. So cool! Thank you!
My favorite smoothie ingredient is good old frozen bananas. Just love the texture they give to a smoothie.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
They’re really awesome and you can use them in so many different things!
Michele
Yum! Looks great girl!
http://www.afitandfabulousmichele.com
Angela Beauchamp
I am a big fan of kale.
Sheila V.
bananas
Dawn
I don’t care for avocados but love adding them in my smoothies as I cannot taste them.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Yes! They make them nice and creamy!
Liz
I love adding fresh lemon juice and ginger!!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
So healthy and refreshing!
Irina
Strawberries and almond butter
Dawn Kaestner
Chocolate Stevia–who knew!? Maybe I can get the entire family on board when they know my favorite spinach isn’t the only option!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Yes!! try it!!
Jessica Cook
Mint Chocolate is my favorite!
Livi
Bananas are by far my favorite smoothie ingredient !! I could have every fruit in the world, but it’s never complete without some bananas.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
AGREED! My fave!
Kristi L
Must have strawberries!
Margaret Koehler
I love to add a frozen banana!
Heather Savka
I am a strawberry girl!!!! This sounds amazing I bet I could add some chocolate to it!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Yes! Chocolate covered strawberry smoothie!
Cynthia C
I like to add any kind of berries to smoothies. Strawberries are probably my favorite.
Danny G
I like putting spinach and a banana in mine.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Me too! You can’t even taste the spinach.
Jean Millsap
Oh, most definitely berries for a morning smoothie!
Jean Millsap
Berries for a morning smoothie, please!
Robyn Wiggins
Banana and peanut butter are my favorite to add to my smoothies.
Ronda Patrick
I love spinach smoothies, its my main go to all the time, of course sweetened. I love Peanut Butter and think the chocolate with that would be amazing!!!!!
Kelly
Blueberries
Denise W
Mine is a banana, either fresh or frozen. When I use the latter, though, I have instant ice.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Exactly! My favorite ingredient!
cindy miller
strawberries
Sheila V.
Protein powder, frozen bananas…chocolate drops would make this combo amazing!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Yes! Love all of those!
Sue Ann Armour
Chocolate of course!
Jerry Smith
Wow! I can’t wait to try your product!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
It’s really great!
Ally
We actually really love watermelon in our (fruit) smoothies–adds juice/liquid but also fiber!
Casey the College Celiac
I love adding zucchini to my smoothies! It adds so much creaminess and volume – plus hidden veggies!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
I’ve never tried that!
Lori Pierce
Mine is Berries and Stevia Clear. I have to have my Stevia Clear in my Smoothies.
Alessandro pampolino
i love strawberries
Lori Pierce
Mine is Berries and Stevia Clear. I have to have my Stevia Clear.
Sara Sullivan
Spinach! I love to hide a few veggies in my smoothies!
Joan
I love Ripple milk in my smoothies
Natalie Hartmann
Strawberries
Donna Teller
My favorite smoothie ingredient is bananas.
Leisl Gering
I love to sneak in some fresh spinach!
Jennifer M.
I like bananas.
Grant D
ALmond Butter
Char
I love spinach, thank you so much for the great offer!!!
Karley Moore
My favorite smoothie ingredient is spinach. It goes with any kind of fruit and always make me feel so much healthier! Thanks for the fabulous giveaway!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
I agree!
Kristin McCall
I love adding cacao powder to my smoothies.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Yum!
Jennifer Maslowski
Raspberries
Cynthia McCourt
My fav is definitely peanut butter powder,
joanie pond
stevia rocks
joanie pond
chocolate
Karla Cyr
I love using blueberries in my smoothies.
Meredith Brooks
My favorite smoothie ingredient is always strawberries! yum yum
Kelly D
Bananas are my favorite.
Anna Rios
I love powdered peanut butter in my morning smoothie!
Amy Welling
Bananas are my go to ingredient but I also love strawberries!! ,
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Great choices!
Deb Ford
I love Strawberries in my smoothies
Kelly Grant
Spinach and strawberries
al
Bananas
Michele T
I love to add peanut butter to my smoothies.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Me too! Tastes like such a treat!
KP
Frozen bananas
Meghan
I love bananas!
latanya
Strawberries
Gretchen Christman
Love adding bananas and strawberries to my chocolate protein shake
Rebecca W
I like to make my smoothies with fruit, vanilla Greek yogurt, and juice. Chia seeds also add protein to smoothies!
Alena Svetelska
My favorite smoothie ingredients are strawberry and blueberries..yum
Nicole Flynn
I absolutely love SweetLeaf Stevia’s Vanilla Cream drops, adding it to some Strawberry and blackberries for a sweet fruity smoothie really makes a morning go the right way.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
I love that you love these drops, too!
Nicole Flynn
I use them in coffee instead of sugar too.
LETICIA DENMARK
berries
al
Blueberries
Gricelda Castro
Berries for me!
Tiffany Seybold
Strawberries are my favorite smoothie ingredient. So refreshing!
Donna Rhodes
peanut butter for me please! 🙂
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Me too!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Me too!!
Danielle
Fresh berries
al
Sometimes Strawberies
John H.
I like bananas.
Jennifer H.
I like adding in pineapples.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Pineapples are perfect for summer smoothies!
Jaylee
Chia seeds and/or powdered peanut butter. 🙂 I use powdered stevia almost exclusively–I’d love to try the flavored liquids!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
The liquid is perfect for smoothies and coffee!
Sharon Yarrell
Strawberries.
al
Oranges
judith
frozen mango is amazing
Marissa S.
I LOVE fresh fruit in my smoothies, especially blueberries.
Amy Hall
For flavor, vanilla extract. Put it in everything. For texture, xantham gum.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Never tried xantham gum in my smoothies!
Amy Hall
Xantham gum, guar gum, glucomannan are all thickeners to help give that thick milkshake feel without using ice cream or bananas. None add significant carbs.
DANIELLE MCKEE
I like hiding a vegetable inside a smoothie, I mostly use Kale
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Yes! Great way to sneak in veggies!
Darlene Carbajal
One of my favorite smoothie ingredients would have to be chia seeds!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Great choice!
monique s
I like strawberries in my smoothies
Liz N.
Definitely strawberries for me!
Anne Perry
I have so many… my favorite smoothie ingredient is avocado.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Yum! Makes it so creamy!
and…CONGRATS, you won!!! I will be emailing you to discuss details! Thanks for entering!
Kelly skibbe
Smoothies must have bananas!
Audrey Stewart
I love strawberry and banana smoothies.
Ken ohl
strawberries are my favorite
Robin
Banana is my favorite ingredient.
Lindsay Hess
My favorite smoothie ingredient is Bananas. It goes great with everything!!
Leah Shumack
Bananas are a constant in my smoothies!
Michelle H.
I like to add bananas.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Love frozen bananas in my smoothies!
Brenda Elsner
Strawberries are my favorite ingredient.
Julie Waldron
My favorite is bananas.
Shakeia Rieux
My favorite ingredient is mango.
Kelly Grant
Strawberries are my favorite.
Sand
I like avocados in my smoothies!
kelly woods
I also like peanut butter and this looks good. Thanks good
B.J. Bernal
I love bananas in my smoothie.
Breanne
Bananas are my favorite.
Roxann
Strawberries are my favorite smoothie ingredient.
Aaron B.
I like pineapple.
Megan Wilson
My favorite is chocolate and peanut butter!
Aaron
My favorite smoothie ingredient is bananas.
Kerry P
My favorite smoothie ingredient is raspberries. It covers the taste of any unpleasant vegetables that I may put in it.
al
Bananas, definitely.
Ae Minx
Chocolate!! lol.. and avocado
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Chocolate in everything!!
Joe C
I would have to say peanut butter.
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Best choice! 😉
meghan
I love bananas in my smoothies!
Julie L.
dragonfruit is my fave but its hard to get. Secondly i love frozen cherries!: )
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
I’ve never tried either in smoothies! Sounds delicious!
Jennifer Maslowski
Peaches
desiree
banna and strawberrys
Anne Perry
Avocado makes my smoothies rich and creamy.
Margaret S Porter
I love to add blueberries to my smoothies!
Carol Cole
Sweetleaf Chocolate drops sound intriguing! Other than that, bananas are my favorite!
Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
They’re a great way to add flavor without adding calories and sugar!
Hesper Fry
Strawberries are my favorite ingredient in a smoothie.
Jacob Bray
I’d say peanut butter hands down.
Karen R
Blueberries! They are SO good!
Janine Hwang
My ave smoothies ingredient is peanut butter! In a chocolate smoothie
Rachel O
Bananas are my favorite!
Leela
Vanilla soft serve.
LisaY
Lime