The Chocolate Collagen Cold-Brew Shake That Beats the Drive-Thru

There’s a particular kind of morning that calls for an iced mocha. Maybe it’s hot out. Maybe you slept through your alarm. Maybe you just want something cold, chocolatey and caffeinated that feels like a treat. We get it.

This shake is our at-home answer: smooth cold brew, creamy frozen banana and a full serving of Brazen Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides in Chocolate, blended into something thick, frosty and properly delicious. It takes about five minutes, and you don’t have to find your car keys.

Why it works

Coffee and chocolate are an old, happy couple. Cold brew is naturally smooth and mellow, which lets the chocolate come through instead of fighting with it. The frozen banana does double duty: it sweetens the shake and gives it a thick, milkshake-y body without needing a ton of ice. And because our chocolate collagen already carries the cocoa flavor, you don’t need syrups or extra chocolate to make it taste like a mocha.

Ingredients

Makes 1 generous shake.

2 scoops Brazen Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides, Chocolate (one serving)
4 oz (½ cup) cold brew coffee, not concentrate (or use 2 oz concentrate plus 2 oz water)
4–6 oz (½–¾ cup) milk of choice: dairy, oat, almond or whatever you love
½ frozen banana, sliced before freezing
1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter (optional, for extra richness)
A small pinch of flaky sea salt
A handful of ice (about ½ cup)
Maple syrup or honey, to taste (optional)

Our label recommends mixing two scoops into 8–10 oz of beverage, so the coffee-plus-milk combo above lands right in that range.

Steps

Liquids first. Pour the cold brew and milk into your blender. Adding liquid before powder helps everything mix evenly and keeps collagen from sticking to the bottom of the jar.
Add the collagen. Add the two scoops of chocolate collagen and blend on low for 5–10 seconds, just until the powder disappears.
Add the good stuff. Drop in the frozen banana, nut butter (if using), pinch of salt and ice.
Blend. Blend on high for 30–45 seconds, until completely smooth and frosty. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk; too thin, add a few more ice cubes or a couple more banana slices.
Taste and adjust. Want it sweeter? Add a little maple syrup or honey and pulse once more.
Serve. Pour into a tall glass and drink right away, while it’s at peak frostiness.

Tips for a better shake

Freeze bananas in advance. Peel ripe bananas, slice them into coins and freeze them flat on a tray before bagging them up. Coins blend far more easily than a whole frozen banana, and your blender will thank you.
Make coffee ice cubes. Freeze leftover cold brew in an ice cube tray and use it instead of regular ice. Your shake stays cold without getting watered down.
Don’t skip the salt. A tiny pinch makes chocolate taste more chocolatey. It’s the same trick bakers use.
Shaker bottle version. No blender? Shake the collagen with the cold brew and milk in a shaker bottle, then pour over ice. You’ll miss the banana’s thickness, but it’s a great iced mocha on the go.

Variations

Mint mocha

Add a small handful of fresh mint leaves, or just a drop or two of pure peppermint extract (it’s strong, so go easy), before blending. Top with a few cacao nibs for crunch. It tastes like your favorite after-dinner mint, just colder.

Mexican-style mocha

Add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne to the blender. The cinnamon brings warmth, and the cayenne adds a gentle glow at the back of your throat. Inspired by the cinnamon-spiced chocolate drinks of Mexico, and absolutely worth trying.

No-coffee chocolate shake

Skipping caffeine or making this in the afternoon? Swap the cold brew for more milk, so you’re using 8–10 oz of milk total. Add a date or two (pitted) for caramel-y sweetness. It’s basically a chocolate milkshake with a serving of collagen tucked inside.

Make it a habit

The easiest way to enjoy this regularly? Keep the jar of chocolate collagen right next to the blender, and keep a bag of banana coins in the freezer. When the morning calls for a treat, everything’s already within reach.

Where Brazen fits

Brazen Grass-Fed Collagen Peptides in Chocolate is made to be stirred or shaken into any hot or cold drink, which makes it the easiest upgrade to your morning coffee, smoothie or, yes, a cold-brew shake that beats the drive-thru.

This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Talk to your healthcare professional before starting any supplement.