I have never been fond of hot weather. I believe it’s better to be cold rather than hot, because you can always put on more layers, but you can only take off so much.
My first time in Texas was surprisingly filled with decent weather. It was definitely on the hotter side, but this heat brought me to a little grocery store and cafe called Foxtrot.
As someone who loves cold drinks and coffee, I immediately gravitated toward their Coffee Date Smoothie. A mix of La Colombe cold brew, Medjool dates, coconut yogurt, white miso, vanilla, cinnamon, oats, and soy milk created this wonderful drink that I have been determined to recreate for the past two years.
After scouring the internet for ingredient lists and copycat recipes and testing different combinations myself, I have come up with two recipes worth giving a try.
My base recipe comes from Spoon University. The student writer talks about trying to remake this smoothie since it came from their favorite study spot. Unfortunately, Foxtrot had closed all locations in April 2024 – the month I had just discovered it too!
I don’t know when I’ll return to Dallas, but in January 2025, Foxtrot was set to reopen two of its locations, according to Eater Dallas.
Until I can find my way back to enjoy the smoothie in person, I’ll stick to my at-home recreation. Here are two versions you can try making at home.
Cold brew
In a blender, add all the ingredients and blend on high until fully combined.
If you would like to make cold brew at home rather than use a store-bought one, you can follow a simple 1-to-4 ratio of coffee to water for a strong concentrate.
For example, you can take 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee beans and 4 cups of water. Or you can also experiment with using grams and milliliters.
Into a jar or an airtight container, add the grounds and water, then stir. You can either brew it on the counter, away from direct sunlight, or refrigerate it overnight or for up to 12 hours.
Once the brewing is complete, you can strain the concentrate through a coffee filter. One way to avoid straining is to brew the cold brew concentrate in a French press, which can separate the grounds from the liquid when pressed down and poured out.
Espresso
In a blender, add all the ingredients and blend on high until fully combined.
Since three shots of espresso are a lot less liquid, I balanced it with more milk. The coffee flavor remains strong because espresso is highly concentrated.
You also don’t need a fancy espresso machine. There are great instant espressos on the market. My personal favorite is Nescafé Gold Espresso in the blonde flavor.
Smoothie advice
To achieve that store-like quality, make sure your ingredients are as cold as possible.
Soaking your dates is important for them to fully incorporate. Soak them in warm water for at least 10 minutes.
You might think half a teaspoon of miso is small, but anything more will overpower the drink. If miso isn’t a common ingredient for you, peanut butter offers a similar saltiness.
I would not recommend plain yogurt for this drink because it leaves a slightly sour taste. Coconut yogurt is what the original drink uses, which has a natural sweetness. However, if coconut isn’t your favorite, plain vanilla yogurt works just as well.
Drinks that are too sweet aren’t usually a problem for me, but if you like things on the less-sweet side, you can reduce the vanilla syrup if you use vanilla yogurt.
Dates have a fruity sweetness but can be expensive. Maple syrup and honey are common substitutes. You can also use a more ripe frozen banana or more vanilla syrup.
Whether you try the cold brew or espresso version of the smoothie, both result in a refreshing coffee treat that is perfect as the months begin to warm up.
