Classic Iced Mocha Collagen Latte

This Iced Mocha Collagen Latte is the perfect balance between a sweet treat, a classic mocha chocolate flavor and rich espresso. This is one fantastic latte because of its creamy milk texture and balanced dark, sweet flavor. I know you’ll start making this recipe everyday before work!

Coffee is more than just a beverage. Whether you like a drip coffee or cold brew, black coffee or a creamy espresso, I’ve come to learn it’s a big deal. All this knowledge comes from growing up in the Pacific Northwest.

Every city in Washington State has at least two Starbucks locations … and a handful of independent coffee stands sprinkled in for good measure. Let me tell you, THEY ARE ALWAYS BUSY! Coffee is a part of the culture around here and I’m beginning to see why.

What I don’t like about coffee stands is they serve up drinks full of sugary syrups, caffeinated espresso and a full meal’s worth of calories. I believe everyone should enjoy a dessert-like espresso but not like that!

I find it’s really important to have breakfast in the morning. Some people disagree and say they don’t need food—I get it. Yet what seems to be a part of everyone’s morning routine whether it includes breakfast or not, is the morning beverage. This collagen latte is the best way to get your daily scoop of collagen in and still enjoy that morning espresso. So make sure you have these few ingredients on hand (and maybe even overstock it so you’ll never run out!)

• Espresso: we use a Nespresso machine so I’ve got Nespresso pods and a reusable pod
• Collagen: look for a grass fed, unflavored collagen. This is a protein powder so quality matters!
• Milk: organic grass fed whole milk and almond milk is the best combination in my opinion
• Sugar free Vanilla syrup: try making your own and use our recipe or buy one from the grocery store
• Sugar free Chocolate syrup: either make your own or find one at the grocery store
• Ice: be sure to have plenty in the freezer!

How easy is this latte recipe to make?

The morning time is not when you make a big mess. All you need is one serving cup or glass and one small shot glass, small ramekin or small mug. This latte comes together so quick, it’s a 3 step process!  Just think, in minutes you’ll have your iced latte in hand and be ready to head out the door. I bet this will even be faster than waiting in any coffee shop drive thru line.

• Prep your serving cup first: This is where you can take a minute and make your glass look fancy with the drip lines of chocolate syrup or you can skip that – everyday doesn’t need to be extra. Go ahead and add the two syrups and your milk of choice to the cup. No need to mix them together because that comes later.
• Make the collagen espresso: At my house, we use reusable Nespresso pods so I weigh out the beans and grind them fresh. It surprised me to realize this extra step really wasn’t all that extra. Of course, purchasing the Nespresso pods already filled is another great way to streamline your morning latte. So go ahead, add that pod to your Nespresso but before you hit that button, put the scoop of collagen into the small mug or shot glass that’s going to catch the espresso. Collagen dissolves much better in a hot beverage than a cold one.
• Pour the collagen espresso over your milk and add ice: Such a quick step but it does turn out better to pour the collagen espresso into the glass and then mix up the liquids before adding the ice on top.

What else can I pair this collagen latte with?

This collagen latte is my travel beverage. I’ve gotten up in the morning and made this before work but I’ve also made this the night before and stored it in the fridge. What ever time you decide to enjoy this latte, pair it with a snack or a meal to help slow some of the caffeine jitters. My favorite snack with this latte is a serving of mixed nuts for that 10am boost. If you’re wanting to have this a part of your breakfast, go ahead and pair it with some of these.

• Oatmeal or Overnight Oats: A bowl of oatmeal with berries and seeds like chia or flaxseeds
• Veggie Scramble: a few eggs with mushrooms, bell pepper and cheese
• Sprouted Chocolate muffins: a latte and a muffin will always be the classic coffee shop breakfast
• Breakfast sandwich: a bagel, fried egg and bacon sandwich with some spinach, red onion and cheese
• Potato Breakfast Hash: our family’s classic weekend breakfast with eggs, potatoes, veggies and cheese!

Could this latte be a different flavor other than mocha?

Using the base of this recipe, you could turn your latte into all sorts of different combinations. Have you seen how many syrups they have at any coffee stand? Some of them have flavors I haven’t even thought of trying out before. For example, have you ever tried a black forest latte or a rose latte? Those two flavors could easily be made at home as long as you have the flavored syrups.

I’ll either make my own syrup to have on hand or, if I’m looking for a syrup that’s harder to make at home, I look for a syrup that’s sugar free. Store bought syrups can be a sticky subject to navigate and, when it comes to my regular latte, I’m looking for the best option possible since I have a few lattes a week. Here are some of my favorite combinations to have.

• Vanilla Honey Cinnamon latte
• Caramel latte
• Peppermint Mocha latte
• Maple latte

What are the health benefits of a collagen latte?

Consuming collagen as a supplement is still a debated topic. One side of the argument says collagen is an easy supplement which adds protein to your diet and helps with the connective tissue used to support your skin, hair, nails, cartilage, tendons and bones. On the surface level, this sounds great because over time, and due to certain lifestyle choices, our bodies slow down the manufacturing of collagen. Now our bodies don’t depend on a collagen supplement because we are capable of producing our own collagen. Eating protein rich foods will supply us with the amino acids needed for our own collagen production.

This is why the other side of the argument says that collagen supplements are unnecessary. Consuming enough protein each day from complete protein food sources will do more than any collagen supplement will. Personally, supplementation is what I choose to do. I try to consume enough protein each day to support my body but the bonus of supplementation is the small chance of boosting my own diet. In today’s economy, I complete understand why some might need to stop purchasing collagen because of the added cost. 

Do I need collagen? Can I substitute it for another protein powder?

Collagen is a supplement. It is not crucial to the flavor or texture of this latte. Even if you have a different kind of collagen, like a flavored one, you could still add it to this recipe. If you find yourself out of collagen but still want to add some protein to your coffee, I would recommend whey protein powder.

Keep in mind that whey protein is a different type of powder but it still dissolves better when frothed or blended in a hot liquid. Just be careful when blending whey protein. Whey will increase in volume the longer you blend the drink. I’ve personally over blended whey protein powder and it takes on an airy quality, which is not what we want in a latte recipe. In the end, whether you choose to add collagen to your latte or not, this recipe will still be just as enjoyable so try it out either way.

Purpose of the Plate

One of the hardest things to find at any coffee stand is a stand that has good quality syrups. What I mean by that is coffee stands don’t carry a syrup with better quality ingredients. Now, I know flavored syrups are a processed food, but the wonderful thing about today’s market is there are healthy-er processed options out there.

Syrups should be water, sweetener, flavor and maybe something to stabilize it because the syrup is a packaged product with a shelf life. It’s important to read the labels and know what it is you’re eating. When you’re at the grocery store, try to find the best options you can or better yet, order them online. Of course, the best option is spending the time and make your own at home. Sugar is not the enemy here at Plate on Purpose but it is an ingredient that I watch with intention.

So for your homemade syrup, use something like honey or coconut sugar or even just add some maple syrup directly to your collagen latte. If you’re going to go the sugar free route, make something with stevia and monk fruit. These no sugar sweeteners come from natural plant derived sources and, even though some super healthy granola people might argue that it’s still a processed food, I want to try and get the best I can while still enjoying my favorite collagen latte. Have you found a quality syrup for us to try? Leave me a comment and share with me your favorite brands.