How to Add Caffeine to Smoothies (6 Ways)
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Do you love smoothies but wish they had a bit more of a caffeine kick? You’re in luck! Adding caffeine to smoothies is easy and can give you the boost you need to start your day or power through a workout.
In this article, we are going to look at six ways to add caffeine to smoothies – NOT just talk about how to add coffee to a smoothie, although that is certainly one of the ways to add caffeine we will discuss. However, if you aren’t a coffee drinker (like me!), you’ll be glad to learn of five other ways to add caffeine to your smoothie.
What is Caffeine?
Before we get into how to add caffeine to smoothies, let’s talk a little bit about what caffeine actually is. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It is found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans – which is why we often associate it with those beverages. It’s also found in the leaves, seeds and and fruits of other plants.
Caffeine can also be found in a variety of manufactured products, such as most sodas, energy drinks, and even over-the-counter medications. It is added to some foods, like candy bars.
While caffeine is considered safe for most people when consumed in moderation (recommendation is below 400mg per day for healthy adults), it can have some side effects. These may include anxiety, jitters, headaches, and trouble sleeping. If you have any concerns about caffeine, be sure to speak with your doctor before adding it to your diet. (1)
Why Add Caffeine to a Smoothie?
Adding caffeine to a smoothie is a great way to get an extra boost of energy, especially if you are drinking it first thing in the morning or before a workout. It can help you to feel more alert and wake up your body and mind.
Caffeine can also help to improve your focus and concentration, which can be helpful if you are working on a project or need to be productive during the day.
In addition, some research suggests that caffeine may have positive effects on physical performance, including increased endurance and improved muscle contractions. (2)
6 Ways to Add Caffeine to Smoothies
Now that we know a little bit more about caffeine and why you might want to add it to a smoothie, let’s talk about how to do it!
Coffee
The most obvious way to add caffeine to a smoothie is with coffee. If you are a coffee drinker, this is probably the easiest and most convenient way to do it. Simply brew up a cup of coffee, let cool and add it to your smoothie ingredients.
You can also freeze coffee into cubes ahead of time and add those to your coffee smoothies. This is a great way to make sure your coffee smoothie has a really great texture and you won’t have to brew fresh coffee and cool it down every time you want a coffee smoothie.
If you’re a coffee lover it doesn’t really matter what type of coffee you add as long as it’s not hot – you don’t want to ruin your blender. (Plus a hot smoothie isn’t really that great!) So, if you prefer cold brew coffee, drip coffee, etc feel free to use what you like, except decaf because it contains no caffeine!
Healthy Coffee Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup regular brewed coffee, cooled
1 cup oat milk
1 frozen banana
1 tablespoon honey
1 scoop protein powder (optional)
Instructions:
Brew coffee and let cool. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend this coffee banana smoothie until smooth. Enjoy immediately!
This smoothie is really delicious with just a small amount of whipped cream on top!
Tips for Using Coffee in Smoothies
If you are using fresh brewed coffee, be sure to let it cool before adding it to your smoothie. This will help to prevent your smoothie from becoming watered down.
You can also freeze coffee into coffee ice cubes ahead of time and add those to your smoothie. This is a great way to make sure your coffee doesn’t water down your smoothie.
If you are using cold brew coffee, you may want to add a little bit of water to thin it out before adding it to your smoothie.
You can use coffee grounds or instant coffee instead of brewed coffee if you prefer, or use leftover coffee.
Flavors that go well with coffee smoothies include nut butter such as peanut butter, cashew butter or almond butter, vanilla and chocolate. Adding in nut butter or protein powder will give you a great coffee protein smoothie.
Tea
Another way to add caffeine to a smoothie is with tea. Both green and black tea are good options. Just like with coffee, you’ll need to brew it first and then let it cool. Green tea is included in several of our weight loss smoothies because it is so good for the body and for metabolism.
Tea has a host of antioxidants and nutrients that can provide health benefits, and many varieties are also anti-inflammatory. So whether you prefer green tea, black tea or white tea, use it in place of any liquid called for in your smoothie recipe – just be sure not to use a decaffeinated blend!
As with coffee, you can also freeze tea into cubes ahead of time and use those to help blend a creamy, thick smoothie.
Another great way to use tea to add caffeine to a smoothie is with matcha powder. If you enjoy the taste of matcha, it’s a great way to add some energy into your smoothie!
Try our banana matcha smoothie recipe for a great way to combine matcha powder and smoothies.
Green Tea Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup green tea
1 cup spinach
1 banana
1 cup pineapple
1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Brew tea and let cool. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately!
This smoothie is great topped with coconut flakes.
Check out our other green tea smoothie recipes:
Tips for Using Tea in Smoothies
Check the label to learn about the caffeine content of your tea as caffeine content varies widely by tea variety.
If you are using fresh brewed tea, be sure to let it cool before adding it to your smoothie.
Try using matcha powder for a refreshing energy smoothie.
Chocolate
If you want to add a little bit of flavor to your smoothie while getting your caffeine fix, chocolate is a great option! You can use cocoa powder (check to ensure your brand contains caffeine) or chop up a chocolate bar and add it to your blender.
Chocolate milk is also a good option – just keep in mind that it will add some extra sugar to your smoothie. We recommend using a dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao for the healthiest option. Many bars will have caffeine content printed on the label, so check and find the best one for you.
Chocolate Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk
2 Tbsp dark chocolate
1 banana
1 scoop protein powder (optional)
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately!
Tips for Using Chocolate in Smoothies
We recommend using a dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao for the healthiest option.
Cocoa powder can be a bit tricky to work with and it’s easy to use too much, so we recommend adding it slowly and tasting as you go to get the desired flavor.
You can also top your smoothie with chocolate shavings or chips.
Protein Powder with Caffeine
If you are looking for a way to get more protein and caffeine in your diet, there are several protein powders on the market that contain caffeine. These can be a great way to fuel your body before or after a workout.
Protein powders with caffeine often have other ingredients added, like vitamins and minerals and sweeteners, so make sure you check the label to see what else is in it.
Caffeine Protein Powder Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 scoop protein powder with caffeine
1 cup almond milk
1 banana
1 Tbsp chia seed
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately!
Tips for Using Protein Powder with Caffeine in Smoothies
Be sure to check the label to see how much caffeine is in each serving of protein powder.
Check the label to ensure you aren’t ingesting any unwanted ingredients.
Most protein powders with caffeine are coffee flavored, so this may not be a great option if you don’t enjoy the taste of coffee (like me – I save that for the hubs who enjoys it).
Our favorite protein powders with caffeine:
- Includes 1 (2.03 pound) Orgain organic plant based iced coffee protein powder
- 21 grams of organic plant based protein (pea, brown rice, chia seeds), caffeine, low net carbs, 0 grams of added sugar, 170 calories per serving
- USDA organic, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, low net carbs, no added sugar, soy free, kosher, non GMO, carrageenan free, and no artificial ingredients
- Mix with water, milk, or your favorite protein shake recipe for a quick breakfast or snack drink. Use when baking to give your cakes, muffins, brownies, or cookies a protein and energy boost
- Ideal for healthy, on-the-go nutrition for men, women, and kids. These are great for meal replacement, smoothie boosters, muscle recovery, and pre or post workouts.
- Calling all coffee lovers—this café latte flavored protein powder is for you
- Rich in flavor – with 95mg of caffeine – Each serving contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee to help you feel alert
- 30g Protein per serving, with all the essential amino acids and 100% of protein from Whey to feed your muscles and curb your hunger
- Each tub comes with 17 servings and a scoop – just add water for smooth, decadent but easy post-workout recovery
- Guilt free yum: 1g Sugar, 3g Carbs, 150 Calories and Low Fat; No Soy Ingredients, Gluten Free
Caffeine Powder
If you want to get a concentrated dose of caffeine, you can buy caffeine powder. This is often used by athletes or people who need an extra boost of energy. It is important to be very careful when using caffeine powder because it is very easy to overdose on it.
Start with a very small amount and increase gradually as needed. We recommend starting with no more than ¼ teaspoon and increasing from there as needed, with the best option being a kitchen scale to weigh it.
Smoothie Made with Caffeine Powder
Ingredients:
¼ tsp caffeine powder
1 cup coconut milk
1 banana
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup berries
1/2 cup spinach
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately!
Tips for Using Caffeine Powder in Smoothies
Caffeine powder is very concentrated and it is very easy to overdose, so start with a very small amount and increase gradually as needed.
A kitchen scale is the best way to measure caffeine powder, but if you don’t have one, use a very small spoon and be sure to level it off.
You can also buy caffeine in pill form and dissolve in water to use in your smoothie. This will ensure the amount of caffeine (ex. 100mg in each tablet).
Here is a natural caffeine powder:
- 1 Gram of Guarana Extract Per Serving (100 Servings)
- Each Serving of Guarana Contains 220mg of Natural Caffeine
- 1000mg of Guarana Per Scoop (included)
- 100 Grams of Guarana Powder Per Bottle
- Non-GMO, Gluten Free, and Made in A GMP Compliant, FDA Registered Facility
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is a South American herb that contains caffeine. It has a slightly bitter taste, so it’s not for everyone. If you do like the taste, you can add it to your smoothie in powder form or as a tea.
Yerba mate tea bags are available at most grocery stores, or you can buy the loose leaves online. If you want to use the powder, start with a small amount and increase as needed.
Yerba Mate Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup brewed yerba mate
1 banana
1 cup spinach
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately!
Tips for Using Yerba Mate in Smoothies
Yerba mate has a slightly bitter taste, so it may not be for everyone. Start with a small amount and increase as needed.
You can buy yerba mate tea bags or the loose leaves online.
The powder form is also available, but it is very concentrated so start with a small amount and increase as needed.
Yerba mate can be a great way to get caffeine and antioxidants in your diet.
Common Questions about Caffeine in Smoothies
If you don’t like the taste of coffee or want to avoid it for other reasons, there are several other ways to add caffeine to your smoothie. You can use tea (either brewed tea or matcha powder), chocolate, protein powder with caffeine, caffeine powder or yerba mate.
It depends on your personal caffeine tolerance and why you’re adding caffeine to your smoothie. If you’re using it for energy, start with a small amount and increase as needed. It’s always best to err on the side of less rather than more when it comes to caffeine.
Yes, there is such a thing as caffeine powder. It is very concentrated, so it’s important to start with a small amount and increase gradually as needed. A kitchen scale is the best way to measure it, but if you don’t have one, use a very small spoon and be sure to level it off. We’ve listed some of the most popular ones in this article (both just caffeine powder and protein powders with caffeine).
Yes, you can put ground coffee in a smoothie. It won’t hurt you to eat coffee grounds, and they will give great flavor to your coffee smoothie. Plus, you won’t have to brew any coffee if you add the grounds!
Final Thoughts on How to Add Caffeine to Smoothies
We hope you enjoyed this article about the different ways you can add caffeine to smoothies. While coffee and tea are the most common way to add caffeine, there are other options as well such as chocolate, protein powder, caffeine powder and yerba mate. Be sure to start with a small amount and increase as needed. Have fun experimenting!
Happy Blending!
Amanda
