Higher Grounds Recipe

Name: Tree City Juice and Smoothie Cafes HIGHER GROUNDS Recipe
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 1 cups organic cold-pressed espresso (cooled); 1 cups nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt; 1 cups whole milk; 1 scoops whey protein powder (vanilla or unflavored); 2 tbs ground chocolate (finely grated or cocoa nibs, for blending); 1 tsp freshly ground coffee (fine grind); 1 cups ice (optional, for thicker texture); 1 tsp sweetener (optional: honey or simple syrup); 1 tsp ground chocolate (for dusting); 1 pinch coffee grounds (fine, for light dusting)

Inspired by Tree City Juice and Smoothie Cafe

Time10m

Serves1

Organic cold-pressed espresso, nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt, whole milk, ground chocolate, coffee grounds, whey protein.

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Ingredients

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Smoothie Base

1 cups organic cold-pressed espresso (cooled)

1 cups nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt

1 cups whole milk

1 scoops whey protein powder (vanilla or unflavored)

Flavor & Texture Additions

2 tbs ground chocolate (finely grated or cocoa nibs, for blending)

1 tsp freshly ground coffee (fine grind)

1 cups ice (optional, for thicker texture)

1 tsp sweetener (optional: honey or simple syrup)

Garnish (optional)

1 tsp ground chocolate (for dusting)

1 pinch coffee grounds (fine, for light dusting)

Method

Smoothie Base

Prepare espresso

If espresso is freshly made, allow it to cool to near room temperature (about 5–10 minutes). You want cold-pressed espresso chilled or at least not hot so it doesn't melt the frozen yogurt immediately.

Add 1 cup cooled organic cold-pressed espresso, 1 cup nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt, 1 cup whole milk, and 1 scoop whey protein powder to a blender.

Flavor & Texture Additions

Add 2 tablespoons ground chocolate and 1 teaspoon freshly ground fine coffee to the blender. If you prefer a thicker smoothie, add up to 1 cup ice. If you prefer sweeter, add 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup.

Secure the blender lid and blend on medium-high for 30–45 seconds, pause and scrape down the sides with a spatula, then blend another 15–20 seconds until the mixture is smooth and evenly textured. If the mixture is too thick, add 2–4 tablespoons milk and blend again until desired consistency is reached.

Serve & Garnish

Pour the smoothie into a chilled 16–20 oz glass.

Lightly dust the top with 1 teaspoon ground chocolate and a very light pinch of fine coffee grounds for aroma and a subtle crunchy accent. (If using actual coffee grounds for garnish, ensure they are labeled for culinary use — use sparingly.)

Serve immediately with a straw and an optional stir stick.