*This post was sponsored by Almond Breeze. All opinions are my own.*
There are some really brave and admirable pregnant women who will go caffeine free throughout their pregnancy.
I am not one of them.
You might think that’s absolutely horrible. In fact, it’s much, much safer than the other option, which is an un-caffeinated me (and, yes, I know that’s not a word).
I told my husband the other day that having my cup or two of coffee in the morning is actually the responsible thing to do, because I wouldn’t want to see what my morning drive to work would look like minus the caffeine.
I’m 33 weeks pregnant, and lately I feel like I could sleep until 9am if I was ever allowed to. Which, to me, is super late, because I have always been an early riser. That is, before I was a mother.
So Almond Breeze so kindly sent some almond milk for me to try out and make some recipes with, and it was actually the first time I tried almond milk. I wanted to do a drink recipe first, and I’m sure it’s wonderful in smoothies and cold beverages, but hey — it’s the end of October in Manitoba. A nice, steaming cup of something rich and chocolatey is where it’s at.
And you know how there are those days when you know it’s either going to be a cup of coffee or a nap? Or maybe even both? It was definitely one of those days. So I went for the caffeine.
My daughter and I sampled 3 kinds of Almond Breeze one afternoon: original unsweetened, vanilla unsweetened, and vanilla sweetened.
Now, this was my first experience with almond milk but not my first experience with lactose-free milk. Growing up, we went through a lot of milk in my family. In fact, I hated water. I would never drink water unless I was playing sports. Milk was just what we drank.
A few years ago, I was feeling sick a lot so I asked my doctor about it and she suggested I lay off the dairy milk for a while. But I couldn’t live without any milk, so I bought lactose-free milk for a while. And I’ve got to say, it just doesn’t compare. It’s bitter and not something I would drink plain.
And I think that’s why the Vanilla Sweetened Almond Breeze was my favorite. I mean, I’m sure that’s probably what you would have guessed, if you follow my blog at all, but it’s just totally, incredibly delicious. It’s like a treat, really. The one thing I missed when I was drinking lactose-free milk was that slight sweetness, and the Vanilla Sweetened definitely has that.
Now, keep in mind that the Vanilla Sweetened has no more sugar than a regular serving of 1% milk, it has 30 fewer calories and is packed with all kinds of good things, like Omega 3’s and calcium. And for those reasons, I actually like it more than regular dairy milk, even though I incorporated dairy milk back into my diet long ago.
We also like the Vanilla Unsweetened, and I think the Original Unsweetened would be awesome in savory dishes or smoothies.
How was that for a tangent?
So this beverage.
It’s SO good. I am a big lover of anything Almond Joy, and that’s the first place my mind went when I thought of almond milk. You could definitely make this caffeine free by substituting the coffee for more almond milk. You could also make this completely dairy free by choosing a hot chocolate mix with no dairy.
Almond Joy Mocha
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla unsweetened or sweetened Almond Breeze
- 1 1/2 cups leftover brewed coffee
- 2 tbsp hot chocolate powder
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract you could also add in coconut milk
- whipped topping or whipped coconut cream
- toasted coconut toasted almonds, chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- In a small pot, combined Almond Breeze, coffee, hot chocolate powder and coconut extract. Heat over medium heat until hot.
- Pour into one large mug or two smaller mugs, and top with whipped topping and garnishes as desired.
Nutrition Information
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- 1 cup vanilla unsweetened (or sweetened) Almond Breeze
- 1 ½ cups leftover brewed coffee
- 2 tbsp hot chocolate powder
- 1/2-¾ tsp coconut extract (you could also add in coconut milk)
- whipped topping or whipped coconut cream
- toasted coconut, toasted almonds, chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles for garnish
- In a small pot, combined Almond Breeze, coffee, hot chocolate powder and coconut extract. Heat over medium heat until hot.
- Pour into one large mug or two smaller mugs, and top with whipped topping and garnishes as desired.
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
I don’t even know what an Almond Joy is and almond milk is crazy expensive here so I have only tried it once or twice – but I could still totally jump through my screen into those pictures right now! 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Nora! Almond joys are the most amazing chocolate bars — one if our favorites!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
This would be perfect for me all day long. I love that almond milk, it’s my favorite!
Ashley says
Thanks Dorothy! We’ve definitely been enjoying it!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Ooh yum! I’m obsessed with Almond Joy recipes 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
I am kind of obsessed with this! I have never tried almond milk but this will certainly make me! Almond Joys are my favorite!
Ashley says
They’re definitely a favorite here too! Thanks Annie!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I don’t blame you one bit… I could never give up coffee!! This mocha looks SOOOO YUMMY!! What a decadent way to wake up! 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Jess! I’m totally not the model pregnant woman, but I’m okay with that 🙂
GiGi Eats says
Don’t even…. Ah! These are overflowing with SCRUMPTIOUSNESS!! I cannot look anymore because I will want to jump through my computer screen!
Ashley says
Hahaha, thanks! It’s pretty amazing!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
My favorite local coffee shop makes an almond joy mocha that I love! Can’t wait to try this!
Ashley says
Thanks Jessica!
Beth @ The First Year says
This looks so good, how could I not want to grab the glass off my screen?! 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Beth!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Oh my! I can’t resist this decadent drink! Pinning!
Ashley says
Thanks Annie!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Pregnant or not, I would definitely not be able to turn this down! It looks so so delicious! I am obsessed with anything Almond Joy and am drooling over that coconut whipped cream. Pinning – <3 this!
Ashley says
Thanks Kelly! I’m a little obsessed myself 🙂
Isadora @ she likes food says
I have to admit, I think I’m the only one on the planet who doesn’t drink caffine, ha! I had a horrible experience with it in college and I just can’t do it. I do love the taste though and this drink looks awesome! I’m a big fan of almond milk and I enjoy it much more than the other non-dairy milks out there.
Ashley says
It is way better! I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to try some! I didn’t actually get into coffee until university, but now I’m totally hooked :S
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
Since I am a caffeine addict, I don’t know how I’ll survive when I’m pregnant! Those who give up caffeine are saints. 🙂 I can’t wait to give this recipe a try–especially since almond joy candy bars are by far the best leftover halloween candy a girl could ask for!
Ashley says
Leftover Halloween candy? I make sure I go out the next day and stock up when it’s all 50% off, because I can’t leave that to chance! I LOVE Almond Joy! And yeah, I definitely do NOT give up my morning coffee… lol
Danielle says
I can’t blame you, going without caffeine for so long would be difficult. This almond joy mocha looks delicious! I love almond breeze and use it all the time, I will have to try this out.
Ashley says
Thanks! I have a feeling it might be making a regular appearance in our fridge from now on Danielle — we’ve really been enjoying it! And you can’t beat all that extra good stuff in it!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Mmmmm I couldn’t imagine going with my morning cup of coffee, and now I can’t imagine starting my day off WITHOUT this awesome almond joy mocha! Awesome recipe. 😀
Ashley says
Thanks Jess! I think it would be seriously dangerous if I ever did…. lol
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I’ve never tried almond milk either, but may have to to make this drink! It snowed here in Alberta last night so just looking outside is making me cold today, and my cup of coffee has been in my hand all morning! And if you can drink coffee while pregnant, I say go for it! I wished I could with all 3 pregnancies to help combat the extreme tiredness, but caffeine made me super sick when I was pregnant. Couldn’t wait for that first cup of real coffee after they were born!
Ashley says
Oh man Stacey, I can’t even imagine! I have to say, I’ve been pretty lucky — I haven’t been sick with my first or second pregnancies! I heard you guys got snow over there, and I’m totally hoping it stays away for a little while. Though I am kind of feeling the Christmas spirit already, so I might not even complain when it comes!
Matt Robinson says
Almond Joy is my absolutely favorite candy bar, so I would go crazy for this drink!!
Ashley says
If I had to choose, I think it might be mine, too, Matt! My husband and I both LOVE them, but then again, I don’t know if we’ve met a chocolate bar we didn’t like!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I definitely couldn’t go without caffeine either, so I don’t blame you! This almond joy mocha sounds fantastic, Ashley! I love the chocolate and almond flavors in here. Such a fun way to jazz up a coffee drink!
Ashley says
I’m glad I’m not the only one! The almond milk totally makes up for the caffeine and chocolate, right?? lol