Pumpkin Maca Mocha and Pumpkin Reishi Chocolate

Today’s recipe is sponsored by REBBL, maker of my favorite grab and go coconut milk-based elixirs!

It’s back, yep pumpkin season! If you’re a pumpkin lover like me I’m sure you’re as excited as I am. There always comes that time of year, that first cooler day, which is usually in August here, that you get a pumpkin craving. You fight the craving and then often debate when it is it ok to give into everything pumpkin – the first of September or the first day of fall, which is weeks later. Not that pumpkin is only a fall thing, I love it year round, but the pumpkin lattes, mochas, candles, pies, everything pumpkin, caramel, and spice are traditionally fall favorites. One of the first things I want when it comes to pumpkin is all the pumpkin candles so my house smells yummy and the PSL, pumpkin spice latte. Oh yes, I said it. While I’m not a fan of the sugary coffee house pumpkin lattes, I love making them at home. This year, I’m making something a little different. I’m craving pumpkin and chocolate together, oh they make a delicious combo! If you’re a regular reader or know me, you know I love my coffee all day every day. Well, I’ve been trying to drink less, and I’ve recently tried to eliminate it from my daily routine, because it’s not agreeing with me despite my attempts to ignore it. It’s been a little easier since I first put my lips on a cup of warm homemade Pumpkin Maca Mocha! Yes, a coffee-free mocha that tastes so good and is good for me. Since the weather during this time of year is a little all over the map, I had to make a cold version to enjoy during the warmer days. There is a reason why both hot chocolate and frozen hot chocolate, warm coffee and cold blended coffee drinks exist; there are drinks to hit the spot for whatever you’re craving and whatever the weather is.

It all started with my Pumpkin Maca Mocha, which is easy to make hot or cold with only 3 ingredients (4, if you add the optional coconut whipped cream). All you need is a bottle of REBBL Maca Mocha, which happens to be one of my favorite REBBL flavors, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. If you missed my post talking about REBBL coconut milk-based elixirs in my Golden Banana Bread Chia Oats, let me tell you that I love REBBL! Their elixirs are more than just delicious bottled beverages, they are also good for you. If you are a regular reader, you know I don’t usually do sponsored posts. If I do, it is only for products I love and my family or I consume and buy on a regular basis. It’s also about the company behind the product. REBBL uses organic ingredients, fair trade when available, and is made with real food ingredients (no thickeners or artificial flavors). Their name says it all – Roots Extracts Berries Bark and Leaves. Their beverages are dairy free, soy-free, organic coconut milk based, and all vegan with the exception of their Turmeric Golden-Milk and their Matcha Latte as those both include organic honey. You can read more about their sourcing, philosophy, and how they give back with Not For Sale. Because I feel good when I drink it and because I trust the company behind the product, REBBL is one of the brands I love. Perfect to have on-hand for the times when I’m trying to reduce or cut out coffee, I grab a Maca Mocha (no coffee) for a quick pick me up. I also love the Golden Turmeric Milk elixir for the times that I’m in the mood, but don’t have the time to make it myself. It’s great that I can still have the healthy superfoods I want when things get crazy like right now when I have to take and pick up the girls from school, volunteer at the school, juggle both girls competitive soccer schedules, gymnastics, my blog, and balance all the household duties while still trying to make time to take care of myself. I actually drive over 30 minutes to the closest local store that carries them and stock up. It’s a Co-Op and they are very helpful and will order whatever I want if they aren’t in stock and the product usually only takes a day to arrive. REBBL’s elixirs are one of my favorite grab and go drinks and I wish they were more easily available here where I live. Their distribution is still expanding, so I’m hoping they will soon be in stores closer to home. When we were in California they were available everywhere! It was great since we were on the go and didn’t have a kitchen or big fridge. I could just stop into a Whole Foods and get one of my favorite drinks. If you are like me and not lucky enough to have REBBL in your local Whole Foods or grocery stores you can request them or check with other health food stores or Co-Ops.

So back to the Pumpkin Maca Mocha. If you’re a regular reader, you also know I love my maca. Maca is used to support healthy energy levels, stamina, and endurance, which are all important if you are working out a lot or always on the go. As a mom, this is one of my superfood superpowers. It also supports healthy hormone balance, which is how I was first introduced to maca years ago and started using it. Because it also supports a healthy and balanced adrenal function, I’m now using it to help me reduce/cut out my coffee intake. So this Pumpkin Maca Mocha is going to be a staple for me this fall, hot or cold.

Mixing things up, because healthy or not there is such thing as too much of a good thing, I also made a version with REBBL Reishi Chocolate. I like this option because some of the protein powders I use regularly also contain maca, I sometimes add maca to my smoothies, and I also enjoy maca chocolate bars. So I don’t blend any of my protein powders that contain maca with REBBL drinks that also contain maca. Reishi is a mushroom that has been used to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, support cardiovascular health, promote healthy aging, help with fatigue, and aid in protecting and detoxification of the liver. Just like the REBBL Maca Mocha, it’s so delicious that you might forget about all the superfoods and nutrients packed into the drink that are good for you.

Hot or cold both recipe options are so delicious and healthy, you won’t think twice about other sugary nutrition lacking pumpkin drinks this fall! If you want a real treat, that’s still healthy, top with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice! Make it easy on yourself and purchase coconut whipped cream, like my favorite So Delicious Coco Whip, or make your own at home. It’s easy to make at home with an isi Whipper (finally got one last year), using a hand mixer, or just whipping by hand. You just have to plan ahead and chill your canned coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight.

Again, I’m not a doctor or a dietitian but I do my research and try to do what’s best for my body using whole food nutrition and superfoods to give my body what it needs.

Pumpkin Maca Mocha/Pumpkin Reishi Chocolate HOT version
Makes 1 serving
12oz, 1 bottle REBBL Maca Mocha or Reishi Chocolate
1/4c pumpkin puree, or 1/3c if you want it really thick
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
optional whipped cream and/or pumpkin pie spice

*REBBL Elixirs can be heated to 180 degrees F and still maintain the efficacy of the herbs, but they shouldn’t stay at this temperature for more than 30 seconds to a minute. For reference when I steam my milk for lattes or mochas I have it set between 135-150 degrees F. Most coffee shops steam milk between 145-165 degrees F from what I’m told.

There are a couple ways to make this drink hot depending on what you have at home. You can steam the REBBL elixirs if you have an espresso machine/steamer and then blend in a Vitamix, or high-speed blender,with pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Or you can whisk the REBBL elixir, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice together in a pot over medium heat, and continue whisking until warmed to desired temp. Or you can warm the REBBL elixir, and then blend in a Vitamix with pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Top with coconut whipped cream if desired and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Maca Mocha/Pumpkin Reishi Chocolate COLD “Frappe” version
Makes 1 serving
12oz bottle REBBL Maca Mocha or Reishi Chocolate
1/2c frozen pumpkin puree*
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2-1 scoop chocolate protein powder, optional (I like to use Vega)
optional whipped cream and/or pumpkin pie spice (So Delicious Coco Whip)

*Measure and freeze pumpkin puree into ice cube trays. You can do this in advance and just grab the number of cubes needed, just remove from tray and place in a sealed container or cover so they don’t get freezer burnt. You can use non frozen pumpkin puree and add ice but it won’t be as rich and creamy.

In a Vitamix, or high-speed blender, blend REBBL, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and optional protein powder if desired until smooth. Top with coconut whipped cream if desired and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!
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While I do receive some Vega products from time to time, which I listed as an option in this recipe, I do purchase much of it on my own. It has been my plant-based protein of choice since before I started blogging. I do not make any money off any Vega sales or posts. I only write about foods I love, my blog is an extension of my hobby to make fun healthy food creations for me and my family.