Warm Apple Pie Smoothie

In the summer I easily get excited about cooling drinks such as smoothies or juices. But in the winter - especially when it’s snowing outside - I crave hot drinks that will warm me up from the inside out.
However, I find it hard to come up with anything more than a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa. I mean, you can call them Mochas, Lattes or Macchiatos...it’s still coffee with some add-ons.
Don’t get me wrong, coffee (or tea) is awesome, but sometimes it’s nice to mix things up a little.
And I’m not talking about getting your booze on.
In that case there’s a variety of hot drinks to choose from: Hot spiced wine, eggnog with a dash of brandy or hot buttered rum. But as much as the idea of getting wasted in the morning is tempting, that’s not really how I roll.
So...back to square one?
No, not that fast.
How about a warm smoothie?
Don’t turn up your nose just yet; not before you’ve heard it all.

I came up with this recipe as I was IMing with my friend Anthony (aka Cooney) the other day.
He said (well, more like he typed), he'd whipped up a rad smoothie in the morning using nothing but apples, ginger, honey and fresh mint. Easy, healthy, good.
Then it dawned on me, I should make a warm apple pie smoothie.
A smoothie that tastes like warm apple pie, without the hassle of making the pie.
A thick, creamy, nutritious warm smoothie, perfect for a cold winter morning.
And if you’re into Christmas Carols - just like Cooney - you can sing “Oh the weather outside is frightful / But the fire is so delightful, And since we've no place to go / Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snoooooow!” while you enjoy it.

Warm Apple Pie Smoothie                                                                                       Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 1

1 apple, cored and cut into chunks (peeled if you don’t have a high-powered blender)
½ cup / 120 ml water (for a creamier smoothie you can use yogurt)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or raw organic honey)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
A pinch of nutmeg
A pinch of allspice

1 scoop protein powder (optional)

Directions

Combine apple, water, vanilla, maple syrup and spices in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a mug and microwave on high for about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle with cinnamon, and if you’re feeling particularly daring, add a bit of whipped cream on top. Serve!

Nutrition facts

The smoothie yields 124 calories, 0 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbs and 0 grams of protein.