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I changed the name from “Bulletproof Chai” to “Velvety Chai” 12.6.16 because I thought it would be safer not to use a copyrighted name. This is the same recipe!
Bulletproof coffee is all the rage right now, but what if you’re not into coffee? Like me. I abhor coffee. Good news, fellow-non-coffee-addicts drinkers, there is a bulletproof-style drink for you, too! To be honest, I didn’t really expect this to work. I’d never tried the bulletproof thing before, but the thought intrigued me (and I knew I could make it a Deep S for Trim Healthy Mamas, and we all know we need more of those recipes in this world). I thought chai might be a good backdrop for the whole creamy/buttery/frothy thing that supposedly happens when you add butter and coconut oil to a hot drink and blend it. I was way more right than I thought I was going to be. I tasted the stuff and couldn’t believe how good it was. I’m officially a chai bulletproof addict drinker.
Click here for more non-coffee “Velvety” (Bulletproof-style) drinks!
The great news is that this cozy drink is chock full of stuff that’s good for you! It’s sweetened with stevia (I recommend this brand for its superior flavor profile), so you get the sweetness without the unpleasant effects of sugar.  This drink contains half a scoop of protein powder because I wanted to use it as a snack (the protein powder helps it froth up, too. You could probably use a whole scoop in this drink, but I didn’t want to be able to taste it so I went halves.). There are lots of healthy fats in this drink as well: butter (I’ve heard that grass-fed is the best, but I just used plain ol’ butter) and coconut oil (again, in the spirit of economy and using what I had on hand, I used our cheap refined coconut oil. I think MCT oil is what you’re technically supposed to use, and virgin coconut oil would probably be better than what I used as well, but we don’t have either of those. I don’t know how the others would affect the flavor, so if you try them, let me know how your drink turns out.).
This drink is a Deep S for Trim Healthy Mamas, meaning that it focuses on foundation fats – not the fats from cream, peanut butter, nuts, cheese, etc. that are often over-done. You can learn more about Deep S meals in the Fuel Cycle chapter from the book Trim Healthy Mama.
New to this whole “Trim Healthy Mama” thing? You can read my quick summary here. That page also includes a bunch of links to products I’ve found extremely helpful, so feel free to check it out for inspiration!
Question of the day (comment below!): are you a coffee or a tea person?
You can find a cleaned-up version of this recipe in my cookbook, Necessary Food.
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 bag Vanilla Chai tea (I used Bigelow brand. Feel free to substitute your favorite chai flavor.)
- ½ scoop vanilla whey protein powder (this drink is also egg free if you use a compatible protein powder)
- ½ T butter
- Rounded ½ T refined coconut oil
- Pinch salt
- 2 doonks THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder (a doonk is 1/32 tsp. Feel free to use more if you like.)
- Pinch each of cloves and cinnamon
- Dash of vanilla extract
- Heat the water and almond milk and steep the tea bag in the liquid for 5 minutes. Squeeze out the tea bag to get all the flavor you can, and transfer the hot liquid to a blender (I used my Ninja single-serve cup). Add the other ingredients and blend until smooth and frothy. Always use caution when blending hot liquids.
(I changed the name to "Velvety Chai" 12.6.16, but the recipe has not changed.)
Suggested products:
How would you make this drink a E?
You would have to remove the fats and add a carb source in order for this drink to become an E, and since that would completely change the flavor and purpose of this drink, I don’t recommend it. 🙂
While I have been a coffee drinker since I was about 17 (55 now) I had surgery a couple of months ago and I believe the anesthesia messed with my senses of taste and smell. I cannot handle the smell or taste of coffee anymore so I’ve switched to herbal tea. I’m totally going to try this vanilla chai tea and turn it into one of these yummy drinks can’t wait to try it.
I l Be the taste, but am left with a LOT of grit at the end with the protein powder. I’ve experimented different ways to make it non gritty. Anyone else have this problem? Solutions?
That’s no fun! I’ve never had the happen and am not sure why it would, unless it got too hot somehow and clumped up. Try adding the protein powder at the very end, right before blending next time. 🙂 The brand you use may make a difference as well. I use Swanson’s and never have issues with it emulsifying.
Before I gave up sugar and started eating THM, I was a daily Starbucks Chai Latte drinker. I really, really, really miss my comfort food. I am really hoping this will be on the money! I love Chai latte.
I noticed that you used whey protein powder. Isn’t that a dairy item? Or is Deep S only concerned with dairy fat sources? Thanks!
Not all dairy is banned in Deep S. For example, butter and whey protein powder are welcome. It’s stuff like cream cheese, cheese, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt that are cut back on due to the amount of carbs they contain. 🙂 Fine for a typical S setting, but Deep S really cuts back on those fat ingredients that also include a few carbs.
Would it still work if I would use only coconut oil instead of butter so I could make it dairy free?
That should work just fine. 🙂
Soon good!! I’ve been adding 1 tsp of sunflower lecithin as well and it makes it soon creamy! (especially because i use a vegan protein powder). Thanks Brianna! You have broken my Starbucks cravings!!!
Question on the link to the Swansons whey powder. Is it on plan NOW? It was then it wasn’t . If not could you explain why it is not? I have used both THM and Swansons. Just want to keep on the right side of eating. Thanks ?
Hi Pat! I don’t believe it is technically on plan now, but I still use it because I like the taste better than the THM protein powder and I can usually find good sales and free shipping from Swanson. The nutritional info really didn’t change that much, but now I believe it uses whey protein concentrate instead of the preferred whey protein isolate.
This is great, and super healthy!
If you want to make it a bit more simple, you can look into our product – The PowerCreamer. It will combine the Grass fed Butter and Coconut Oil, and add in some MCT Oil.
Keep the recipes coming…
This is lovely!! It will be a new morning staple for me. I used 2 T. collagen instead of the whey powder, liquid vanilla stevia instead of one of the doonks, and one bag of oolong with one bag of chai rooibos. I’ve been looking for more Deep S recipes, glad to find your blog!
As I am type 1 diabetic protein also effects my blood sugar, so I need a fat only option. so does there have to be protein powder for this to work? Or could I add a bit more coconut or almond milk?
I’ve never tried it without the protein powder, but I’m guessing that if you omit it you would need to experiment with adding some extra butter or coconut oil (or both). Maybe try a full tablespoon of one or the other instead of half a tablespoon. If it’s still not creamy enough, increase the other one to a complete tablespoon as well. 🙂
There are more short chain fatty acids in unrefined coconut oil and that should be used for everything you’re not cooking(this is where most of the health benefits are). Refined coconut oil is great for cooking on the stove top as it doesn’t get converted into the bad omega-6’s until it gets really hot(unlike butter or any other cooking oil).
I’m a coffee person. I was a THM person. I need to be a THM person again! Looking forward to trying your bulletproof Chai – sounds super yummy! Thanks!
DELICIOUS!! I enjoy your recipes a lot!
Make it, own it, love it! I make mine the same way except I used virgin coconut oil, no change in flavor. I’ve done half and whole scoops of protein, again little to no change in flavor. You should try a salted caramel BPT … One word, yum!
Gave up coffee for Lent so this has been my new adventure!
What’s BPT?
LOVE this! Didn’t have chai tea on hand so used 3/4 cup Earth Milk and 3/4 c almond milk instead. Oh my goodness! Fantastic. Thanks for all the great ideas. You are very inspiring.
I cannot wait…CAN.NOT.WAIT to try this. I ate according the THM plan last year and loved it. I have been very free and loose with my eating the last 4 months and just do not feel as good mentally or physically so I;m back following THM…but I miss my Chai. My warm, creamy scoop of Spiced Chai from the big canister I buy at Sam’s. I am so looking forward to trying this recipe. I’ll let you know how it goes as soon as I get some protein powder in so I can make it.