This delicious Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch recipe is a healthier take on the delicious traditional Jamaican Peanut Punch, which includes bold flavors of Peanuts and Rum (optional) and is beautifully textured to create a smooth drinking experience. This Vegan version boasts it’s creaminess, velvetiness, nuttiness, and generous play on warming spices and a hint of oats. The perfect drink to enjoy during family lunch or dinner or a great way to kick start your morning. Blender-free option!
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When it comes to drinks in general, they truly have a special place in my heart. If you’ve been following Orchids + Sweet Tea for sometime, then you’re aware of how excited I get whenever I am able to represent my Jamaican background in recipe form and this deliciously creamy Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch is one of the ones that I have on repeat in our house. I literally make this and store leftovers in the refrigerator for my husband and I to enjoy and it's just as good!
I know that people enjoy more fruity drinks, however, so I highly recommend trying my Jamaican Me Happy Mocktail.
OK, so in case you aren't too familiar with this drink, let's talk about it. As I mentioned previously, traditional peanut punch is considered "Jamaican Strong Back" for this main reason: it has it's advantages for men. There is a notion that this drink (when made traditionally) helps to enhance sexual performance, perhaps because it's said to increase testosterone levels. How? Mainly because of the health benefits of peanuts themselves, which include:
Vitamins + Minerals: i.e. Vitamin E which has antioxidant, Magnesium which is important for muscle function + energy production, and a host of other things.
Niacin: An excellent source of this important B Vitamin that helps to convert food into energy, aides in digestion, the nervous system, and helps with the skin.
Biotin: Contains an excellent source of biotin, which enormously helps with physiological well-being.
Protein: Protein is essential for building and repairing body cells.
Plus others: Healthful fats, Fiber, etc.
Ok, now let's get back to this Peanut Punch! I love using Peanut Butter and have always been a HUGE fan since I was a kid growing up. Honestly, I can only eat chocolate (and truly enjoy it) when there's peanut butter involved. Anyone else can relate?
While traditional peanut punch contains raw peanuts, if for any reason you don't have any on hand and still want to enjoy this drink, substituting them with organic peanut butter works and gives you some of the health benefits as raw nuts would.
So, of course, having this drink mostly made of peanut butter was a WIN, WIN for me! Haha. Because I love it so much, I chose to add a few extra dollops of peanut butter to create a thicker consistency. Rest assured, you don't need to do this unless you're a lover of this stuff like I am.
Usually, I enjoy using Justin's Peanut Butter, but on my recent trip to the Organic Market, I came across Earth Balance's Peanut Butter with Flaxseed and I had to give it a try! Thank goodness I did! It's so tasty! Plus, it comes loaded with Omega-3, Sweetened with Agave, 0 grams of trans fat, and a host of other things that makes it a great Vegan option!
Here's what you need to make this Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch:
First, I must let you know that Sweetened Condensed Milk is a canned milk that has 60 percent of it's water content removed, making it thicker in consistency.
Also, it has 40-45% sugar, making it a great sugar substitute in recipes that use sugar. More importantly, condensed milk creates a caramelized flavor along with it's sweetness, which give the dishes that require it, a beautiful kick of flavor.
That being said---I generally love using the original Sweetened Condensed Milk like the Eagle Brand's version, however, in this recipe, I love using Edward's & Son's Let's Do Organic's dairy-free coconut version for vegan-friendly meals.
The Best Healthy Sugar Alternatives + Substitutes list is all about finding better ways to enjoy your favorite sweets without compromising your healthy lifestyle. For those who follow a vegetarian and/or vegan lifestyle, this lists offers a few great ideas to incorporate healthy sweeteners into your diet.
It is required that you soak your cashews for quite some time before blending. By soaking the cashews, you are softening them to prepare the nuts for blending. Without soaking your nuts, the nut milk would contain grit and a less pleasant texture. Soaking the nuts also creates a creamy texture that does not require straining the solids.
My preferred method of soaking my cashews is overnight at room temperature. I also cover the soaking container with plastic wrap so that everything stays really fresh. If you do not have all night or many hours to soak your cashews, you can instead use boiling water.
By using boiling water instead of room temperature, the nuts will soak much faster due to the presence of heat. Soak the nuts in the hot water for only 30 minutes before blending. While this is a great way of quickly soaking cashews, the overnight method produces the optimal texture and creaminess, in my opinion.
If for any reason you aren't able to use a blender, you can still enjoy this delicious Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch. Instead, you can use a hand-mixer and have a perfectly whipped peanut punch drink on hand.
To start, simply crush the raw peanuts (if using) or cashews a bit and add them in a deep bowl with the milk. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes so that they soften a bit more. Next, using an electric hand-mixer, whip on low-speed until nuts are blended in. Then add softened peanut butter (if using), vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, oats, maple syrup, and dairy-free condensed milk and whip again until smooth and combined.
Add your peanut punch to your fave glass(es), top with a dollop of coconut whipped cream (optional), a few pinches of cinnamon or nutmeg and wallah!
When it comes to vegan milk options, there are so many possibilities. From oat milk (which I use in this recipe) soy milk to nut milk to the newest trend, potato milk, you can find a delicious plant-based option you love. And what makes these milks even better? You can make them from scratch at home! All of these dairy-free milk recipes will work for this deliciously creamy Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch recipe:
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, wooden spoons, high-powered blender, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
When properly stored in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed jar, leftovers lasts for 3-4 days. NOTE: Ensure that you do not store leftover peanut punch with any ice as this will "water down" the drink greatly. Always only add ice when serving.
If you're loving this Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch, then you're sure to enjoy these other options as well:
If you make this Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch, tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea!
Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
Jamaican Vegan Peanut Punch.
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This is great recipe! I have a smoothie of some sort daily, so I was looking for a new recipe and came across this one. It was so tasty! I'll be making this one again, thanks!
Thanks so much, Kristine! I think that You'll definitely enjoy this one! Be sure to let me know how you like it!
These photos look fabulous! I need this right now and everyday for breakfast!!
Thanks so much, Jillian! It really is the perfect breakfast treat!
Peanut butter and banana are heaven to me!! This is one of my fave shakes. I'll have to try it with the Earth Balance peanut butter.
Yes! They really are a great combo, right? Trust me, the Earth's Balance version is so good! Plus, I love the addition of flaxseeds, although you don't taste it!
This peanut punch has to be the perfect start to the day! I love how quickly it comes together. Your photos do full justice to it. I want to make it now!
Thanks so much, Saima! I do hope that you get a chance to try it! It's SO good!
So creamy and delicious! Love that this uses pantry ingredients. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes! It's so easy and quick to make! I hope that you get a chance to give it a try!