Protein shakes and other supplements can be great for keeping you on track to hit your nutritional goals, but drinking them every day can become mundane—especially if you find yourself repeating the same flavours over and over.
So, we certainly don’t blame you for wanting to learn how to make protein shakes taste better. After all, you’re much more likely to stick to drinking them regularly if you like how they taste.
In this blog, we’ll look at 7 unique ways to make your protein shakes taste better so you can boost your protein intake without getting bored (and a mouth full of lumpy powder!)
How to make protein shakes
Making a protein shake is relatively quick and easy. You’ve probably already got a favourite recipe (or recipes), but here’s a basic one in case you’re still relatively new to making them:
Ingredients
- 1 scoop of your chosen powder
- 250-300ml of your chosen liquid (usually water or milk)
As we’ll come onto later, you might also choose to add things like fruit, vegetables or nut butter—but this is purely optional.
You can then use either a shaker or a blender to blitz everything together until smooth and ready to drink. Add more powder if you prefer a thicker consistency, or loosen it with more water or milk for the opposite.
How can I make my protein shakes taste nicer?
So you know how to make protein shakes but want to know how to take them to the next level when it comes to taste? You’ve come to the right place.
1. Try different protein powders
Not all powders are created equal, so when looking at how to make protein shakes taste better, it’s good to experiment with different types of powder to understand your preferred tastes.
It’s practically impossible to eradicate all taste, too, so even unflavoured protein powders will have a slight one.
While it may not be strong, it can still affect the overall taste of your drink, so get to know each type before experimenting with different bases and flavour enhancers.
The most common types of protein powder include:
- Whey powder: perfect for a smooth texture and allows your body to absorb protein swiftly to begin the muscle reparation process as soon as possible
- Casein powder: thicker than whey but provides a slow-release source of protein and essential amino acids
- Hemp powder: a good plant-based source of antioxidants and minerals (namely iron and magnesium), with an earthy taste that blends well in most bases (excluding water)
- Pea powder: a good plant-based source of protein for reducing blood pressure and cholesterol. Pea powder has an extremely smooth texture
- Collagen powder: has a range of health benefits on the skin, joints and bones and is easy to blend with most bases
Try a few different powders and see what tickles your fancy. You might also find it useful to order sample packs—brands like MyProtein normally offer cheap samples, so you can try a small amount before buying a bigger tub.
2. Purchase unflavoured protein powder
If you’re used to purchasing flavoured protein powder and mixing it with milk or water to find it tastes sub-par, we’d suggest ditching the pre-flavoured powders altogether.
This can give you more control over your shakes’ flavour, making them taste less processed.
Natural sweeteners like stevia, honey, or agave syrup are great to experiment with alongside fresh fruit or juice if you’re making a protein smoothie.
3. Switch up the base liquid of your protein shake
Any delicious protein shake or smoothie starts with the foundations, and as we’ve already discussed, it’s good to try different powders and bases to find a combination that suits your taste buds.
Some of the most popular protein shake bases include:
- Whole milk: great for adding a creamier texture to your protein shake or getting rid of chalkiness
- Semi-skimmed milk: works well with powders that produce shakes that are too thick when mixed with whole milk
- Plant-based milks: almond, oat, soy, coconut or cashew milk can transform the flavour and texture of your shakes
- Fruit juice: perfect for sweet and nutrient-boosting protein smoothies
- Kombucha: with many different flavours available, kombucha can be an interesting way to change up the taste of your protein shakes
- Water: ideal for adding to shakes that are too thick, but doesn’t usually taste great used in isolation (it can create chalky textures)
Once you find a base and powder combination (or multiple) you like, you can then experiment further with different recipes to make your protein shakes taste even better.
4. Experiment with different flavours and textures
Now is when things get exciting. You can enhance the flavours and texture of your shakes or smoothies in a variety of ways by adding ingredients such as:
- vanilla or mint extract
- nut butters like peanut, almond, or cashew
- powders and spices like cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, or cocoa
- sugar-free flavoured syrups or drops
- espresso shots
- nuts and seeds
- yoghurt
- low-calorie ice cream
Ingredients like ice cream, yoghurt, and nut butter will make a creamier and more filling drink. On the other hand, adding nuts and seeds to a lighter juice-based protein smoothie will add earthier flavours to tone down the sweetness.
Whether you’re in the mood for a Starbucks-inspired coffee shake or something more along the lines of a fragrant turmeric smoothie, experimenting with different recipes is the best way to make protein shakes taste better.
You might just want to wing it, and that’s fine—but remember to write useful information down for next time in case you stumble on a winning combination!
5. Don’t be afraid to add more ingredients
Want to make your protein shakes more filling and flavourful without adding a ton of extra calories? One of the best ways to do this is by adding fruits and vegetables that mix well with your other ingredients.
This will not only provide a nice flavour boost but also add a range of nutritional benefits depending on the combination you go for.
Popular fruits to add to protein shakes include:
- frozen berries
- bananas
- mango
- pineapple
- apple
Popular vegetables include:
- kale
- spinach
- pumpkin
- celery
- avocado
Just check that your ingredients (including the drink’s base liquid) mix well, and you’re ready to go.
6. Blend your protein shakes for longer to improve the texture
While shaker cups are convenient, especially when in a rush or on the go, they aren’t always the most effective way to mix a protein shake. We’ve all taken a sip prematurely and been greeted by a mouth full of powder!
Protein shakes almost always taste better when blended, even if you only use powder and a base liquid.
Blending is the only way to guarantee a smooth texture, especially since most blenders are transparent, so you can easily see when the mixture is ready to drink. It takes slightly longer, but avoiding gritty or lumpy protein shakes is definitely worth it.
7. Remember to add ice
Last but not least, as this one of the most important steps when learning how to make protein shakes taste better. A shake that is room temperature, or even worse—lukewarm—will never taste good.
Protein shakes left sitting out for any period of time can also congeal and start to taste off, which isn’t great when the whole point is to make them taste better!
Adding ice to your shakes or storing them in an insulated bottle when you’re on the go can help solve this problem and ensure your drinks always taste cool and fresh.
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