MARY’S MOCHA COLA
The concept of energy drinks may be a great one but the execution of most leaves a lot to be desired - quite a few have some pretty awful ingredients! How do you get the added pep in your step without compromising on nutrition? Mary’s Mocha Cola will put the vim back in your vigor and give a surprisingly healthy boost to your day. This guilt-free recipe is easy, satisfying, and refreshing!
Yield: 1, 16 oz. or 2, 8 oz. drinks
Prep time: 5 minutes for assembly; additional time to brew coffee
Cook time: N/A
Skill level: Easy
INGREDIENTS
8 oz. prepared COFFEE (see notes)
1 serving size (usually about 4 Tablespoons) COLLAGEN POWDER
2 Tablespoons SUGAR
8 ounces real sugar COLA such as Mexican Coke or Boylan Sugar Cane Cola
ICE
DIRECTIONS
Brew coffee to preferred method (see notes).
Two options:
Into freshly prepared, hot coffee, mix in collagen powder and sugar until well blended. Chill ahead of step three for best results.
Into previously made, already chilled coffee, mix in collagen powder and sugar until well blended.
Fill an 8 oz. or 16 oz. glass (depending on serving size preference) with ice.
Into the glass of ice, pour in 1 part prepared coffee to one part cola (e.g., 4 ounces coffee preparation to 4 ounces cola).
Mix well and serve.
NOTES/VARIATIONS
You can use whatever coffee blend and preparation method you like. If you want to cut back on caffeine, it’s totally fine to use decaf or half-caf. Mary’s Mocha Cola tastes especially delicious with cold, leftover coffee or cold brew (one of my go-to ways to enjoy coffee in the summer). Don’t worry, the sugar and collagen powder will dissolve if the liquid starts off cold. The secret is to mix it in slowly, drizzling it into the coffee instead of dumping it in, and stirring as you go until the sugar and collagen are completely dissolved. You can also use one of those handy whirr-er gadgets or put it in a blender (such as a magic bullet).
This is the cold brew recipe I came up with that is about the strength of regularly brewed and doesn’t require diluting, as some cold brews do. It is what I most often use in Mary’s Mocha Cola. Feel free to adjust it to your personal taste, of course:
Into an 8 cup jar or pitcher, place 1 cup of your favorite ground coffee (decaf, regular, or a blend)
Pour 6-7 cups of quality, filtered or spring water (less water = stronger coffee)
Stir, cover, and let sit on counter in a cool area for 8-12 hours
Strain into serving pitcher, clean jar, or grolsch top bottle. I use a strainer like this.
Use as directed in Mary’s Mocha Cola or turn it into your own creation!
Adjust the ratios to your liking. For instance, if you feel that is too much sugar for you, cut it down. If you like a little more mocha and a little less cola, you know what to do!
Speaking of sugar, it isn’t evil, it is necessary! Don’t be afraid of it. Want to learn more? Try reading this: The Sugar for Therapy Book, study some of these resources, or talk with your favorite FNTP (that’s me!).
There are many health benefits to collagen and I encourage you to do some digging on your own. To get you started, try this article and this article. In addition to the outlined advantages of including it regularly in one’s diet, I also like that it helps boost my protein intake - something that can be hard to do in the mornings when eggs aren’t available or an option.
For a vegetarian version, use fish/marine collagen and there are plant based collagens that you can substitute to make this vegan.
Think caffeine is contemptible? Read this article by Ray Peat and you’ll think again.
This recipe can be made in advance without the ice but tastes best if it is put together right before drinking. As with any soda, if it sits too long, it will loose its fizz.
As articulated in the What’s for Dinner article, always aim for the highest quality ingredients.
CREDITS/REFERENCES
Thumbnail photo credit: Soda fountain, 1941 | Soda fountain, Vintage restaurant, Vintage diner
I created this homemade energy drink when I happened to have half a glass of unfinished cold brew coffee (with the sugar and collagen powder already mixed in) and some Boylan Sugar Cane Cola on hand. I didn’t have high hopes for it, to be honest - I was just thirsty and didn’t want to waste. I mixed both in equal parts of the prepared coffee and cola and added some ice. I was SO surprised at how yummy it was, I actually laughed. I have been able to recreate the same flavors consistently with this recipe and look forward to it, especially when I don’t finish my morning cuppa joe. I hope you like it, too!
Pssst! Why “Mary’s”? My dad used to call me Mary!