Even when I was very little, I always favored rich, nutty, chocolatety desserts over their tangy, fruity counterparts, but since I’ve been drinking hot lemon water every morning, I’ve started developing a taste for citrus. This vegan almond lemon milkshake combines the best of both worlds–the bright zest of lemon and the comforting decadence of chocolate and almonds. Although there’s a lot of banana, the lemon is undoubtedly the lead flavor. I served this milkshake to my fiancé–who’s not a fan of bananas (weird, right?)–and he finished it off in 60 seconds flat!

I encourage you to play around with the toppings! I love the contrasting textures of blackberries, almonds, and frozen banana. It’s fun to have a smoothie with a little crunch 😉

Vegan Almond Lemon Milkshake

Ingredients:

(Serves 2)

1 1/2 cup cold, unsweetened almond milk

2 frozen bannas

1 cored apple (a sweet variety like Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady)

1 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. coconut nectar, stevia, or sweetener of choice

1 pinch cinnamon

1 pinch nutmeg

Toppings:

Handful of blackberries

2 tbsp. cocoa nibs

2 tbsp. chopped almonds

Directions:

Blend milk, bananas, apple, lemon zest, and spices until creamy like soft serve ice cream. Pour into glasses and top with almonds, cocoa nibs, and blackberries. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Also in Desserts: Biscuits with Whipped Cream and Jam

Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones

Easy Peasy Vegan Ice Cream

Photos: Mary Hood