Maca Coconut Mocha

All the coffee, like this Maca Coconut Mocha, is needed to get through this week and next with everything I have to get done before heading to Expo West and leaving from there for a trip up the coast to spend a week in Napa with the hubby to celebrate our 15 wonderful years of marriage. Yes I feel old writing that and not only because it will be 15 years but my birthday falls that week. However I know I’m not that old and still got it because I get carded buying my wine, people don’t believe me when I tell them how old I am, my teenager steals my clothes, and I don’t feel old! Age is just a number like the scale and really it’s just a number. So all the coffee! Now what does one do when they can’t get a maca coffee they love because it’s sold out, they don’t have time to run to the store (which luckily just last week it my Whole Foods started carrying it so I don’t have to drive 30+ minutes to stock up), or they just feel like making their own at home…. they get in the kitchen and play with coffee! The day I was recipe testing these I probably shouldn’t have had a few shots of espresso and an Americano.

Upping the coffee game with this Maca Coconut Mocha! Not a fan of coffee or wanting to enjoy this later in the day you can omit the coffee and it’s a delicious good for you Maca Cacao Milk! Adding maca to my coffee or smoothies isn’t new for me as it’s been a staple for many years for many different reasons as I’ve talked about. I’ve made versions of “bullet proof” coffee with coconut oil, cacao powder, and maca but this is different. This is a simply indulging, no I don’t mean super sweet, rich and creamy cold cacao coffee drink with so many benefits!

Breaking down the goods… coffee, maca, cacao, coconut milk, and maple syrup or sweetener of choice. We all know coffee gives you energy, a shot or two of espresso is one of my favorite ways to fuel up for a workout. Maca as I’ve said I love it and it’s been a staple for so many years first for fertility reasons and most recently for balancing hormones, it’s adaptogenic like qualities that help my body deal with stress, and enhance stamina and energy. Cacao powder, not cocoa powder, is good for you and loaded with antioxidants and contains magnesium. Coconut milk is packed with healthy fats medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which the body burns as fuel. It’s said to improve immune function and is great for skin and nail health (which hey getting older I’ll take all the help I can get). None of these are magical or cures but they are a healthier option than coffee shop sugary drinks (not knocking the coffee shops on the go I stop there too, being conscious about what I’m getting but sometimes liking a treat). They are also what my body needs when I have so much to get done and I have added stress. Sugary coffee drinks would leave me with sugar and caffeine crashes and shaky, and wouldn’t help my body deal with the stress and would tax my adrenal glands.

Now making a Maca Coconut Mocha there are two ways because I know not everyone is going to make coconut milk. If you’ve made nut milk at home you know how different it is than store bought nut milks and the same goes for coconut milk. Homemade coconut milk is so much creamier and richer in texture and taste. It’s actually easy to make as you don’t need to soak coconut like you do nuts. You just need to cut and scrap out Thai Coconut (unless you can find it already removed) which isn’t hard but takes a little time. You can do this ahead and freeze it in bags. Making it once you have your Thai coconut meat takes less than 5 minutes. That said if you aren’t going to make your own I suggest making it with canned coconut milk like So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk. For coffee I like cold brew as it’s less acidic or you can use chilled strong brewed coffee. For sweetener I’ve tried coconut palm sugar, maple syrup, and stevia and I prefer maple syrup but it’s all personal preference. From there you blend it up and you’ve got a nice creamy good for you Maca Coconut Mocha!

Maca Coconut Mocha, with homemade coconut milk
Makes 1 serving
1c Homemade Coconut Milk, recipe below
1/2c cold brew, or cold strong brewed coffee*
1-2 TBSP cacao powder (Navitas Naturals)
1 tsp gelatinized maca powder (Navitas Naturals)
pinch cinnamon
1-2 tsp pure organic maple syrup, or sweetener of choice

Maca Coconut Mocha
Makes 1 serving
1/2c cold brew, or cold strong brewed coffee*
3-4 TBSP canned full fat coconut milk, chilled (So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk, Original)
1-2 TBSP cacao powder (Navitas Naturals)
1 tsp gelatinized maca powder (Navitas Naturals)
1-2 tsp pure organic maple syrup, or sweetener of choice
pinch cinnamon
ice, optional

*Coffee can be omitted for caffeine free Maca Cacao Milk. Or you can also use 2 shots of cooled espresso.

To make the thickest creamiest drink refrigerate coconut milk before making or blend up your drink and then chill and shake before drinking. If using canned coconut milk use the thick coconut cream. You can also blend with ice to chill.

Blend coconut milk, coffee, cacao powder, maca, sweetener, cinnamon, and optional ice together in a Vitamix or high-speed blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Homemade Coconut Milk
Makes 32 ounces
1/3c organic unsweetened shredded coconut
1/3c young Thai coconut meat (5×2″ strip) weigh??? 2.5 oz
3 1/2- 4c water
pinch pink Himalayan salt

To make Homemade Coconut Milk blend everything together in a Vitamix, or high-speed blender, for 30-45 seconds. Strain using a nut bag, reserving pulp for smoothies or another use. Store in an airtight container (I use glass jars/jugs) for up to 3 days.

Like it? PIN it for later!