When the first bags of Smoothie Booster landed in our office, they didn't stay on the shelf for long. Everyone grabbed one, took it home, and started stirring it into whatever they were already making. And that was exactly the point. Smoothie Booster was never meant to be one more thing on your to-do list.

It started with Molly, who's always looking for small, easy ways to bring a little more health into her and Meherwan's day. Not a new routine. A better version of the one you already have.

“Our mornings are the one moment of peace Meherwan and I have together before the day starts. I wanted something that fits right into that ritual, not something that takes us out of it.” Molly Irani, Co-Founder

So we handed it to our team and asked them to make it fit real mornings. Our Culinary Director, Alyse, took the coffee-and-weekend shift: fluffy protein pancakes, a frothy golden latte, and a golden mocha made with our Classic Hot Chocolate. Maddy, our Social Media Director, took the busy weekdays, blending golden, chocolate, and berry smoothies and whisking a spoonful into a seven-minute pot of oatmeal.

These are the seven recipes we kept coming back to. Every one tastes like golden milk, with warm cinnamon, earthy turmeric, and a little ginger kick, and every one fits into a morning you already have. Start wherever you like!

Golden, Chocolate & Berry Smoothies

These were the first recipes we tested, the ones that made Meherwan say, “Yep, we need to make this product. It's too delicious, I'd drink this every day! Molly is going to love this.”  

Each one starts with frozen fruit and a cup of milk, then two tablespoons of Smoothie Booster. Go golden for pure golden milk flavour, add cocoa for a chocolatey version with a little spice, or blend in berries and Greek yogurt for something bright and tangy. All three come together in about five minutes!

Make it your own:

• More protein: add Greek yogurt or a tablespoon of nut butter.
• More add-ins: blend in a handful of spinach, chia seeds, or flax seeds.

Golden Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen banana slices
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 2 Tbsp Spicewalla Smoothie Booster
• ½ tsp honey or other sweetener of your choice

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.

Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen banana slices
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 2 Tbsp Spicewalla Smoothie Booster
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• ½ tsp honey or other sweetener of your choice

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.

Berry Smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup whole milk
• ¼ cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
• ½ banana (frozen or fresh)
• 2 Tbsp Spicewalla Smoothie Booster
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract or paste
• Maple syrup or agave syrup, to sweeten (optional)

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Start blending on low and slowly increase to the highest speed until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add more milk as needed.
2. Taste and adjust the sweetness to your liking.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Golden Oatmeal

We've been obsessed with this cozy oatmeal that's ready in about 7 minutes. Simmer quick-cooking oats in almond milk with a pinch of flaky salt and a drizzle of agave, then whisk in our Smoothie Booster for an earthy, delicious twist. It's the perfect busy-morning breakfast for two (or one, if you're extra hungry like me).

Serves: 2 · Prep time: 5 minutes · Cook time: 2 minutes

Ingredients

• 1¾ cups milk of choice (we used almond milk)
• Pinch of flaky salt
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1 Tbsp agave syrup
• 1 Tbsp Spicewalla Smoothie Booster
• Fruit, nuts, or other toppings, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle boil.
2. Add the salt, oats, and agave syrup.
3. Turn the heat to low and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add the Smoothie Booster and whisk until incorporated.
5. Serve immediately with fruit, nuts, or other toppings.

Protein Pancakes

These are our Sunday morning pancakes (with lots of leftovers for the freezer so we can reheat on busy mornings).

Our Culinary Director, Alyse, built them from scratch and they're perfection: Greek yogurt keeps them tender, a mix of flours gives them a little heft, and Smoothie Booster turns the whole stack golden with warm cinnamon and ginger. Make a full batch, keep them warm in the oven, and pile on blueberries, butter, and maple syrup.

Makes: about 12 pancakes · Prep time: 15 minutes · Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup white whole wheat flour or oat flour
• ½ cup Spicewalla Smoothie Booster 
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1¼ cups plain Greek yogurt
• 1¼ cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp avocado oil, or 1 Tbsp oil plus 1 Tbsp melted butter for some butter flavour

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, whole wheat or oat flour, Smoothie Booster, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Break up any clumps of Smoothie Booster so you don't get dry pockets.
2. In a second bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt and milk until completely smooth. Whisk in the eggs, maple syrup, and oil. If you're using melted butter, let it cool slightly first.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold with a spatula until just combined. Small lumps are fine. Don't overmix!
4. Rest the batter for 5 minutes. It will thicken and get a little bubbly. If it's too thick to pour easily, thin it with milk, 1 Tbsp at a time.
5. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low (or a griddle to 275°F) for a couple of minutes, then lightly brush it with oil.
6. Pour about ⅓ cup of batter per pancake and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. It's ready to flip when bubbles form across the surface, and the edges look set.
7. Flip once and cook for about 2 more minutes, until golden.
8. Keep finished pancakes on a sheet pan in a 200°F oven while you cook the rest. Lightly re-oil the pan every batch or two.
9. Serve immediately with your favourite toppings. We like blueberries, butter, and maple syrup. Enjoy!

Golden Latte

This is the one I make every morning. Froth a tablespoon of Smoothie Booster into warm milk, pour it over a shot of espresso, and finish with a dusting of cinnamon! It tastes like the golden latte from your favorite café, with a little extra warmth and depth. Prefer it cold? The iced version is at the bottom.

Ingredients

• ½ cup milk of choice (oat or whole milk froth best)
• 1 Tbsp Spicewalla Smoothie Booster
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup or honey (optional)
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 shot espresso
• Pinch of ground cinnamon, for dusting

Preparation

1. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low until steaming, with small bubbles at the edges (about 150°F). Don't let it simmer or boil. If you're using the frother on your espresso machine, skip this step.
2. Stir in the Smoothie Booster, plus the maple syrup or honey and vanilla if using. Froth with a handheld frother or your espresso machine's frother for about 20 seconds, until foamy.
3. Pull a shot of espresso into a mug, then pour in the frothed milk.
4. Dust with ground cinnamon and serve immediately.

Iced version: shake the Smoothie Booster, cold milk, sweetener, and vanilla in a jar until smooth, then pour over ice and espresso.

Golden Mocha

Golden milk, meet our bestie, hot chocolate!

We whisk Smoothie Booster into our Classic Hot Chocolate with a double shot of espresso, then top it with frothy milk and whipped cream. The chocolate rounds out the earthiness of the turmeric, and the cinnamon makes it taste like a cozy holiday treat. It's practically dessert, and we're not mad about it.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp Spicewalla Classic Hot Chocolate
• 1 Tbsp Spicewalla Smoothie Booster
• 2 shots of espresso (or ½ cup strong coffee)
• 1 cup milk of choice
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Pinch of ground cinnamon, for dusting

Preparation

1. Combine the Classic Hot Chocolate and Smoothie Booster in your favourite mug. Add the hot espresso and whisk until completely smooth.
2. Warm the milk over medium-low heat until steaming (about 150°F), taking care not to let it boil. If you're using the frother on your espresso machine, skip this step.
3. Froth the milk with a handheld frother or your espresso machine's frother until light and bubbly, then slowly pour it into the chocolate-espresso base, stirring gently to combine.
4. Top with whipped cream or extra foam, dust with cinnamon, and enjoy immediately.

Iced version: mix the chocolate base with hot espresso, let it cool slightly, then stir in chilled milk and pour over ice.

Boost on!

Alright, friends. That's the lineup! 

Seven recipes, most of them ready in a few minutes (the pancakes are worth the wait), and not one of them asks you to change how you start your day. That was always the point 😊

Pick the one that fits your morning, make it your own, and keep the bag somewhere you'll see it (I keep mine right next to the coffee). And if you come up with a new way to use it, share it with us @spicewalla! I'd love to see where yours ends up.

Spread love, glow up your day!
Cara Manning, Spicewalla's Director of Marketing