Last Updated on August 28, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

A dreamy recipe of pure wellness, this Erewhon-inspired Cacao Cloud Smoothie features rich cacao, vanilla plant protein, raw almond butter, luscious avocado, a frozen banana, & your go-to non-dairy milk. Served in a glass decorated with coconut yogurt & cacao powder for a dessert-like experience!

Cacao Cloud Smoothie with a straw in it, in a glass decorated with coconut yogurt & cacao powder, sitting on a white marble counter.

More than just a protein drink, this Cacao Cloud Smoothie is a ritual. Inspired by Erewhon’s iconic coconut cloud smoothie—the breathtaking blue one—this version puts a rich cacao twist on the classic.

While the $17 LA blend is loved by many, chocolate smoothies are more of my vibe, which is why I created this cacao-inspired recipe that’s just as showstopping but way friendlier on your wallet.

With relatively the same wholesome ingredients, just amped up with decadent cacao, this smoothie is perfect for all the cacao-holics out there!

Why You’ll Love This Erewhon-Inspired Smoothie

Cacao Lover’s Dream: Full of rich chocolate flavor, thanks to the raw cacao. It seriously tastes like a dessert in a glass!
LA-Worthy: Inspired by Erewhon’s $17 version, made affordably at home.
Clean & Nourishing: Packed with healthy fats, plant protein, & antioxidants to fuel your body with intention.

Cacao Health Benefits

To make this Erewhon-inspired extra decadent, we’ll be adding organic raw cacao powder. Not only is cacao full of rich chocolate flavor, but it’s also loaded with powerful nutrients. Here are just a few incredible health benefits of cacao powder.

High-Vibrational Energy
Shown to Relieve Mild Stress & Promote Relaxation
Reduces Inflammation
High in Magnesium to Enhance Overall Health
Promotes Hormonal Balance

Check out this Cacao Powder 101 post to learn more!

Cacao Cloud Protein Smoothie with a straw in it, in a glass decorated with coconut yogurt & cacao powder, sitting on a white marble counter.

Ingredients

Organic Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: Any non-dairy milk works in this recipe; just be sure to use homemade or trusted brands for the best quality. Some of my favorites include MALK Organics, Three Trees, or Native Forest.
Organic Vanilla Plant Protein: Adding a scoop of protein powder helps to keep you full & satisfied longer. When selecting a protein powder brand, it’s crucial to look at the protein content and, most importantly, the ingredients. Check out this Cleanest Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Powders post to learn what to look for, the best brands, & the recommended daily protein intake.
Organic Cacao Powder: For that rich & decadent chocolate flavor, cacao powder is a must! Note: cacao powder is different from regular Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Review this Cacao Powder 101 post to learn more!
Organic Raw Almond Butter: Adds creaminess, healthy fats, & a little extra protein. Choose raw & organic for the cleanest option. Trust me, don’t skip this!
Sea Salt: A healthy pinch of sea salt is rich in a ton of minerals & beautifully enhances the flavor.
Organic Avocado: Fresh or frozen, both work. Just make sure that it’s ripe—it’s key to that velvety, cloud-like consistency.
Organic Frozen Banana: To make the smoothie thick, creamy, & naturally sweet.
Organic Servings: For that iconic Erewhon-inspired smoothie, swirl some coconut yogurt at the bottom of the glass & a pinch of cacao powder prior to pouring in your smoothie.

How to Make

Blend the Liquids & Powders. First, add the non-dairy milk, plant protein, cacao, almond butter, & sea salt to a high-speed blender. Blend these ingredients until smooth.
Blend the Frozen Ingredients. Next, add in the frozen avocado & banana. Blend until smooth & creamy. If needed, you can pause the blender, remove the lid, & scrape down the sides so that everything is fully incorporated. You may need to add a little more liquid depending on how thick/thin you like your smoothies.
Decorate. Swirl some coconut yogurt at the bottom of the glass with a pinch of cacao powder.
Serve. Pour into a chilled glass & enjoy!

Cacao Cloud Smoothie in a Vitamix on a white marble counter.

Optional Smoothie Add-Ins

Make it your own. Here are a few easy ways to elevate & personalize your Erewhon-inspired Cacao Cloud Smoothie:

Organic Hemp Seeds: Include a tablespoon of hemp seeds to provide this blend with even more healthy fats, protein, omegas, & minerals.
Organic Cacao Nibs: Add 1 tablespoon of organic cacao nibs at the last minute, then blend once more to give this smoothie lots of texture at every sip!
Organic Greens: Greens are packed with so many minerals, vitamins, & antioxidants. I recommend baby spinach if you’re new to green smoothies, but kale, Swiss chard, mustard greens, collard greens, or mixed greens all work.

Tips for Making the Perfect Smoothie

Want to master the art of the perfect smoothie? As someone who blends one up daily, here are my top tips for getting it just right every time:

Use a Frozen Banana: The frozen banana adds natural sweetness & icy thickness, creating a creamy consistency.
Adjust Liquid Amount: If you find that your smoothie is too thick to blend, don’t worry! Just add a bit more liquid, blend, open the cover, scrape down the sides if needed, & blend again. When possible, always use a larger high-speed blender instead, as it will blend the ingredients much better.
How to Make: Blend your liquids & powders first, before adding your frozen ingredients. This method ensures that your powders fully dissolve & blend smoothly.
Smoothie Blending Tip: Start your blender on low to medium speed. Jumping straight to high makes it hard for the blender to properly mix the ingredients. Begin slowly, then gradually crank up the speed to achieve the smoothest consistency.
Chill Your Glass: Place your serving glass in the freezer while you blend to enjoy a dessert-worthy experience!

Smoothie FAQs

Do I have to use a frozen banana?

The frozen banana in this recipe provides a thick & creamy texture. If using a fresh banana, be sure to add a handful of ice cubes to achieve a cold smoothie. However, if you’re looking to remove the banana altogether because you’re allergic or simply don’t like them, I recommend adding 1 organic pitted Medjool date to maintain its sweetness.

Is it healthy to have a smoothie?

Duh! I wouldn’t post something that was unhealthy. Having a smoothie full of protein, healthy fats, & superfoods for a post-workout breakfast is great because you’ll be getting essential vitamins, nutrients, & protein first thing. However, some smoothies on the market or on the web can be loaded with tons of fruit, added sugar & nonsense, making them a less healthy option.

What is the best protein powder to use?

I used an organic vanilla plant protein powder for this Cacao Cloud Smoothie recipe. When selecting a protein powder brand, it’s crucial to look at the protein content and, most importantly, the ingredients. Check out this Cleanest Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Powders post to learn what to look for, the best brands, & the recommended daily protein intake.

How can I add protein without using protein powder?

If you don’t have vanilla protein powder on hand, no worries! To increase the protein content, you can add a tablespoon of organic hemp seeds & use a total of 2 tablespoons of organic raw almond butter without changing the taste that much.

Can I make this smoothie recipe in advance?

Totally! Feel free to make this Erewhon-inspired smoothie recipe as is or double it for later. To achieve the best results, check out this How to Prepare Smoothies in Advance post.

Cacao Cloud Smoothie Recipe with a straw in it, in a glass decorated with coconut yogurt & cacao powder, sitting on a white marble counter.

More Cacao Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

If you make this Cacao Cloud Smoothie recipe, please leave a review & rating below. I love hearing from you, & it helps others learn more about the blog as well. Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more healthy content!

Xoxo.

CMG.