If you’re looking for tasty ways to maximize your protein intake, you’ve come to the right place. And the right recipe! This Coffee Protein Shake is one of my favorite way to refuel after a tough workout. It’s cold and refreshing, and tastes like a keto frosty!
Over the last few years, I’ve shifted the focus of my diet to incorporate more high protein recipes. Having done quite a bit of research into the subject, I feel strongly that we need more high-quality protein (and more exercise) to support healthy aging. So strongly that I even wrote a book on the matter! The Protein Advantage Cookbook – I hope you will check it out.
And in that vein, I have created a number of delicious low carb recipes that help boost your protein intake. Reader favorites include Peanut Butter Protein Balls and Keto Chocolate Breakfast Cookies. And this coffee protein shake recipe tops the list too! You won’t ever pay for pre-made shakes again with this recipe at hand.
What readers are saying…
“Chocolatey and delicious! Made it as a Sunday morning treat, my husband loved it. Now I have a new, any time of day or night, treat!” — Denise
Why We Love This Recipe
- Super easy: Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend it up.
- Clean ingredients: Nothing strange or suspect here. Just 6 keto-friendly ingredients so you know exactly what you’re getting.
- Delicious flavor: The coffee is frozen into cubes so this keto shake doesn’t get watered down by melting ice. It stays creamy and rich for as long as it takes you to drink it
- Energizing: Caffeine plus protein make the perfect blend of energy and refreshment.
- Customizable: Use decaf coffee, switch up the flavors of protein, adjust the sweetener, and make this recipe to suit your tastes and macros.
- Low carb: No added sugar and only 3.1 grams net carbs make it perfect for low carb and keto diets.
Ingredient Notes
- Coffee: Cold brew is a good choice for this recipe, as it has a strong coffee flavor. But you can use any cold coffee, including espresso. You can also use decaffeinated.
- Low carb milk: I like to use hemp milk in smoothies and shakes, as it has no carbs. But you can also use almond milk or macadamia milk. Just be sure to choose the unsweetened variety.
- Whipping cream: Heavy cream adds richness and thickness to this coffee protein shake.
- Protein powder: You can use whey, egg white, collagen, or plant-based protein in this recipe. Feel free to play with different flavors of protein as well. Chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel would all be lovely.
- Sweetener: You can use your preferred sweetener here, but powdered or liquid versions work best to avoid grittiness.
- Cocoa powder: A little cocoa powder makes it taste like a mocha milkshake. But you can skip it if you like.
How to Make Coffee Protein Shakes
- Freeze the coffee: Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- Blend the ingredients: Transfer the cubes to a blender and add the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth.
- Adjust the sweetener: Taste the mixture and add more sweetener as desired.
- Serve and enjoy! Divide between two tall glasses.
Carolyn’s Expert Tips
A standard ice cube tray will make enough coffee cubes for two protein shakes. But you can easily make one and store the remaining cubes in the freezer for another day.
If the protein powder you use is unsweetened, you may want to add an additional tablespoon of sweetener to the shake. You can easily taste and adjust the sweetener after the ingredients are blended together.
Dairy-Free Option: You can make this shake dairy-free by replacing the whipping cream with full fat coconut milk or coconut cream.
Sweetener Options: This protein shake recipe doesn’t rely on the kind of sweetener for consistency. So you can use highly concentrated sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract if you prefer.
Coffee Protein Shake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (355.5 g) cold brew coffee, (or any strongly brewed coffee)
- 1 cup (236 g) unsweetened hemp milk
- 1/4 cup (59.5 g) heavy whipping cream
- 6 tbsp (32 g) whey protein powder, (chocolate or vanilla)
- 2 tbsp (45.5 g) powdered sweetener
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions
- Pour the cold brew into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours.
- Place the coffee ice cubes in a blender and add the milk, cream, protein powder, sweetener, and cocoa powder. Blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust the sweetener to your liking. Blend again, then pour into two glasses and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Be wary of pre-made protein shakes or mixes. Even ones that label themselves as “keto” often have quite a few carbs and/or some sketchy ingredients. Read the labels carefully. Better yet, make your own keto protein shake at home!
I don’t recommend making these more than 30 minutes in advance as they do melt. The flavor doesn’t get watered down but they become more liquid as they sit at room temperature. If you keep the shake in an insulated mug, it will stay colder longer.
You can also make the coffee ice cubes in advance so you have them ready to go at any time. They will last in the freezer for months.
Most homemade protein shakes used bananas to create a thick smoothie. This recipe skips the high carb fruit and uses frozen coffee cubes for a rich, creamy consistency. And you can used whatever protein powder or sweetener you prefer!
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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I tried at least 3 different store-bought protein shakes in the past and couldn’t force myself to go beyond the trials. This one? It is FANTASTIC in every way! I’ll definitely be making this over and over and over again!!
Yay!!! Thanks so much.
The blog says there is 20g protein but the macros have 12.5 per serving. Which one is accurate? Going to make it for a grab and go breakfast but will bring some cottage cheese or yogurt because I shoot for a certain amount of protein each meal. Thanks!
This looks really good and I can make it with decaf. However, you state there is 20g of protein, but the chart below the recipe shows 12. ???
wow, this is my new favorite drink for this summer! the only downside is, that it’s finished way too fast.
Hi! I decided to follow a keto/low carb diet a few months ago & your recipes & YT channel have helped me stay on track. I have so far made your peanut protein balls, keto cowboy cookies & baked oatmeal & currently have a dozen more in my queue to try out. This is my 1st shake from your site. I have a bag of unflavored collagen peptides & a separate product for a vanilla protein powder. Can I combine these 2 & if so can you guide me on how to measure out? Thanks so much for the fantastic recipes, your site & channel has truly been a game changer!
Sure you could combine them. Maybe do half the amount of each?
Love it!!
Can I use regular unflavored protein powder in place of collagen protein powder?
I have the Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder in chocolate, which I “think” would be good in this recipe. I assume I would skip adding cocoa powder in this case, or does the cocoa powder add something to the recipe I’m not considering? In addition, I am making this for myself so a single serving would be 3 tablespoons of the powder (without cocoa)? Thanks for the great recipe (and the many others!!!) – summertime blended coffee without all the sugar hoopla is bliss!
Bad recipe! They didn’t include any measurements, you can’t give us estimated calories and carbs if you don’t give us an actual recipe. Stupid.
You didn’t scroll down to the ACTUAL recipe card, which contains everything. You are just reading the blog post. And there is a big “Jump To Recipe” button at the top of each post. Please refrain from being abusive on my website. Do you really think I would post recipes that weren’t complete? Do you really think my website would be one of the most well respected recipe sites if I did that?
Wow…you are rude! Apparently you are the stupid one.
Instead of assuming the recipe is bad, take a look at the full information. Your negative attitude is very inappropriate and shows a lack of respect. Grow up. You should apologize.
Jo I beg to differ with you….ALL the measurements and nutritional values are very plainly stated on the recipe card…..READ…
Hi, Carolyn! Funny this should pop up today. I am in love with Black Rock’s Mexican Mocha Blended, and was wondering how I could make something similar that is Keto. You answered my question! Now I have a question for you – would almond milk work instead of the hemp milk?
Thank you, and I love your recipes!!!
Yes, absolutely to the almond milk!
awesome, thank you!! going to the store today to get the ingredients that I don’t already have. 🙂
I have made this 4 times now, tweaking it slightly each time. I find that with the unsweetened, unflavored collagen peptides it needs more sweetener, but other than that, I am loving drinking this on my way to work in the morning!!! It is saving me lots of money (and drive thru time).
You’re the best!!! I plan to make two other of your recipes this weekend and my husband and I are going to purchase some cookbooks. Your recipes are the best out there!!!
I am ashamed to say how long it has taken me to make this, but here we are. I absolutely love this shake! I love the added protein and the flavor – was not sure I would like a cold coffee beverage. Did not have hemp milk but used an almond/cream milk blend I have on hand. I also added about a cup of fresh spinach to make me feel healthier.
I don’t drink coffee (don’t care for the taste) HOWEVER, I adore Chai Tea. I make my tea in the am with 2 TBL collagen, a pinch of Himalayan pink sea salt and heavy cream. I’m thinking I may try this recipe with frozen Chai Tea. The cocoa powder would probably be yummy with Chai.
Sounds good!
WoW made it without any substitutions and in the process of making it with decaffeinated caramel coffee for tonight’s dessert YUM
Delicious!!
If I don’t want a milkshake, but something similar to a Premier Protein drink texture, can I just refrigerate the coffee overnight instead of making frozen cubes then mix the ingredients in the morning?
I am not familiar with that drink but you can certainly try it that way.
You cannot go wrong with coffee plus chocolate! I’ve been making protein shakes lately and since I usually make them for later rather than for breakfast, Decaf is the way to go. Another good recipe!!
To me, this tastes like a Wendy’s frosty! So yummy and soothes my sweet tooth!
It does taste like a Wendy’s Frosty…the only thing I liked at Wendy’s…and I’d been wanting one for a year and a half. Having had my per meal carbs restricted, the Frosty was no longer allowed. I’ve just made these my second time. I make them an hour or so ahead of my plans to have my first one, then put them in the freezer, and I get the Frosty consistency. 😃