Thick. Luxurious. Coconut
A few years ago, after drinking a coconut chai shake at Bonobos, I created my own version of the delicious spicy-sweet shake. I’m re-posting an updated version of the recipe today, because the old one was a little hard to follow.
Put on a lei, close your eyes, and pretend you’re lounging under a palm tree in Hawaii.
Coconut Chai Shakes
- Meat and juice of one Thai coconut (or 1 can full-fat coconut milk plus 1 cup coconut water)
- 1 tbsp Indian chai masala (Or 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cloves, dash pepper and cardamom. Or omit completely for a plain-jane coconut shake.)
- Sweetener (I like it without, but for a taste like Bonobos’, add 2-3 tsp agave or other sweetener to taste.)
- Cinnamon for sprinkling on top, if desired
Blend all of your ingredients together (I use a Magic Bullet). You can also try freezing this and then re-blend in your Vita-Mix for an amazing ice cream!
See the following link if you’d prefer a coconut-free version: Vanilla Chai Breakfast Shakes.
Don’t cry over spilled coconut milkshake.
NYC Recap Continued…
Neither my friend, Jess, nor I were impressed with our food at The Organic Grill. It was mediocre and bland. We quickly paid our bill and moved on to yummier things. Yummier things such as chocolate-strawberry cheesecake from Whole Earth Bakery. (I ordered two, to-go. They’re sitting in my fridge right now, and I can’t say I haven’t been dreaming about them!)
We spent a few hours exploring after our lunch and bakery stop. In NYC, you really don’t need to have a jam-packed itinerary, filled with trips to museums and tourist attractions. Just walking around is entertainment enough!
Hot and thirsty, we arrived just in time for snack at Bonobos.
I went straight for the coconut chai, which they gladly blended up for me sans sweetener. Jess ordered the gingerade. Our drinks offered the perfect antidote to the summer heat, and they totally made up for our less-than-stellar lunch experience!
What are some of your favorite spices?
My favorites are probably cinnamon and ginger. Oh, and oregano and basil. And my least favorites are nutmeg and cilantro!
For more milkshakes, see: Healthy Milkshake Recipes.
I love the creativity of this! I would have never dreamed coconut and chai would mesh, but it looks so delicious that I’m going to have to try this pronto!
I have everything on hand but the coconut water? Where can I find that?
Most health-food stores, and even many regular grocery stores (in the health food section) have containers of coconut water. Look for names like Zico or One. Or ask the people who work at the store :).
I am so addicted to chai anything lately. I recently made chai rice pudding – delicious!
Do you know if Chai Masala and Garam Masala are the same thing? I have the garam masala and am wondering if I can use that. Thanks!
They’re definitely not the same thing. If you don’t have chai masala, use the alternative listed in the recipe (the combination of other spices listed). 🙂
I made your low-fat Chai-Nana milkshake the other day. Delicious! I made a double batch and turned part of into posicles. Also delicious!! Thanks for the great, easy, and VEGAN!! recipes! 🙂
Oh wow, popsicles? That sounds like something I MUST try!
Great milkshake, I tried it and I loved it!! Another fresh healthy drink that I do a lot for breakfast, very tasty and healty is that one: http://www.amandarussellworkouts.com/node/73 it was suggested by an integrative nutrition doctor and it totally rocks! 🙂
I’m so glad you liked it! And the pear banana shake looks yummy!
I tried the Nana-Milkshake because I don’t have all of the ingredients for coconut. But it was delicious! And it made like 2 cups. It was so creamy 🙂
So glad you tried it!! 🙂
I love this milkshake……. I didn’t have coconut milk or water in the house, so I used almond milk and shredded coconut instead. (The shredded coconut makes the milkshake a bit chewy, like pulp in your orange juice. But I always like pulp in my orange juice ;p)
And I love the chai spices… I mixed them all up straight from my spice cupboard. It tastes just like the chai mix from Starbucks!
Thanks 😉
Your recycled outfit is soooo cute and this shake looks delish!!!!
I think no one has mentioned my favorite spice yet: cardamom!
I also eat the whole cardamom seeds pure… just like that. Cardamom is heaven…
I was wondering if you would recommend using vanilla extract with alcohol free rather than vanilla extract with alcohol as for the flavoring would it alter in your food?
What is so special about the Vita-Mix because it seems like every time you talk about something frozen you suggest using the Vita-Mix (ex: for this recipe you said to blend in a Vita-Mix for an ice cream but can’t a regular blender work also?), I don’t own one so I was wondering if it freezes for you as you blend it or something like that? Isn’t it just like a blender and that’s all?
Katie please make a drink using Thai tea or Bubble tea.
Does the 1 can of full-fat coconut milk contain coconut water already in it or is it just plain water?
Hi Katie,
I’m a HUGE fan of your blog and your desserts. I came across this recipe and see that it’s been a while since you posted it. I work with a chai company called Tipu’s and their product, “The Simple Life” (instant black tea and spices, no sweetener) would probably work perfectly for something like this, or even for your baking (It happens to be vegan and gluten free too). I’m not usually out to “sell-y sell” online, but I read this and just thought it would be a perfect fit. If you ever want me to send you a bag to try, just let me know! 🙂 I’m happy to hook you up!
Cause I try to be as simple as possible, is there anyway to do this with a Chai teabag???