My favorite sip this week wasn’t a pint of beer, a glass of wine, or even a cocktail (believe it or not). It was, in fact, something called “The Health Nut”, a coffee concoction that I will forever try to replicate at home because it was just that good.
If you read my post last week, you may remember I was traveling to Jacksonville, Florida for a business trip.
And while I enjoyed the food and drink I found in Jacksonville (thanks to those who recommended spots!), I wouldn’t necessarily add Jacksonville to my list of vacation destinations in the future. That said, if there is one reason to go back to the city, it’s for The Health Nut.
Tucked away at the bottom of the Bank of America building in Downtown Jacksonville, the Urban Grind coffee shop is serving up delicious coffee drinks that are unique to their storefront.
They have fancy latte flavorings that I had never thought to combine with coffee before (hello, coconut and lavender), and pastries that are way more tempting than they should be. But The Health Nut called my name when I saw it’s delicious list of ingredients on the blackboard.
Here’s what’s in it:
2 shots of espresso
1 banana
Almond butter
An unknown quantity of pumps of Ghirardelli dark chocolate (but it can’t be much, ‘cus the drink isn’t super chocolatey)
Protein powder
This drink hit the spot after early morning workouts at the hotel, and served as a great meal each morning. Better yet, as I enjoyed the taste of The Health Nut, the caffeine also helped wake me up and get me ready for the day! The consistency is similar to a Starbucks Frappuccino, making it feel substantial and filling as you enjoy it.
The flavors of The Health Nut’s ingredients blend together to create an entirely new flavor experience (sort of like “third taste” in wine pairing…sorry, had to geek out there for a second), making it one of the best coffee drinks I’ve ever had. It’s sweet from the chocolate and banana, yet bitter from the coffee. Rich and smooth from the almond butter, but cool and refreshing from its smoothie-like consistency. I’m not kidding when I say I’ll be trying to replicate this drink at home soon! Recipe to come, perhaps?
If you find yourself in Jacksonville, a visit to Urban Grind is a stop that cannot be missed.
And if The Health Nut doesn’t quite sound like your thing, try one of their other fabulous coffee or tea drinks. During an afternoon run to Urban Grind, a drip coffee with a splash of hazelnut hit the spot. I really don’t think you can go wrong with anything on their menu!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy your morning coffee? Do you have a drink like The Health Nut that you would recommend? Let me know in the comments below!
