Mocha Protein Smoothie

Coffee · Coffee

Cold brew, cocoa, and yogurt give you coffee-shop flavor without the drive-thru sugar bomb. Popular on tours that start early and stay loud.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups cold brew coffee
• 1.5 cups plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 medium banana
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Instructions

1. Line up every ingredient for Mocha Protein Smoothie in the order you will cook — measure spices into ramekins, trim proteins on a dedicated board, and set tongs, thermometers, and hotel pans within arm's reach before any heat goes on. Use honey or maple syrup as listed — measure each before heat goes on.
2. Preheat ovens, griddles, or grills to recipe temp before the crew arrives — cold equipment extends cook time and dries out batch Blend. Confirm burners ignite evenly and sheet pans are greased or lined.
3. Blend yogurt, milk, cocoa, and coffee until the cocoa is fully dissolved — no dry cocoa pockets. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.
4. Add banana or protein powder if using. Blend until frothy on top, about 60 seconds. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.
5. Taste before adding sweetener — coffee bitterness varies batch to batch. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.
6. Serve over ice if you want it colder; foam on top is normal from the yogurt. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.

Substitutions

• Instant espresso (2 tsp + ½ cup water) works if cold brew is not stocked.
• Skip protein powder if the crew prefers whole-food protein only.

On shift

Caffeine plus protein in one cup — useful when the pot is empty but the board is not.

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