Save There was a Tuesday morning when I was halfway through my workout and realized I'd skipped breakfast—my usual routine completely derailed by an early meeting. I stood in the kitchen, staring at a bottle of cold brew I'd made the night before and a vanilla protein shake, and thought: why not just mix them? Five minutes later, I had this silky, satisfying drink that tasted like a dessert but gave me exactly what my body needed. It's become my secret weapon on mornings when I need energy that actually sticks with me.
I brought this to my gym buddy one Saturday after class, and she took one sip and asked for the recipe immediately—then she started making variations with chocolate protein and almond milk. Now it's become this funny thing where we text each other our flavor experiments. What started as a personal hack turned into something we bond over.
Ingredients
- Cold Brew Coffee: Use 150 ml of chilled cold brew—it's smoother than hot coffee over ice and won't taste watered down as it chills.
- Protein Shake: A 200 ml ready-to-drink bottle of vanilla or chocolate works perfectly; you want something smooth that blends easily without chunks.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: Just 1–2 teaspoons if you need it sweeter; the protein shake usually brings enough creaminess that you might skip this entirely.
- Ice Cubes: Fill your glass generously—they keep everything cold and add that satisfying texture.
- Cinnamon or Cocoa Powder: A light pinch on top adds visual appeal and a subtle flavor boost that makes it feel more intentional than just mixing two things together.
Instructions
- Set the Foundation with Ice:
- Fill a tall glass right to the top with ice cubes. You want plenty because it keeps the whole drink properly chilled and gives you something satisfying to crunch on as you drink.
- Pour the Coffee:
- Add your 150 ml of cold brew over the ice slowly—watch it pool and chill instantly as it touches the ice. The coffee should cover the ice about halfway.
- Add the Protein Shake:
- Pour in your entire 200 ml of protein shake. This is where the magic happens—the two liquids start blending and creating this gorgeous creamy color.
- Sweeten If You Need To:
- If the combination tastes a bit flat to you, drizzle in 1–2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey. Stir it in gently so it dissolves through the drink.
- Blend Until Creamy:
- Use a straw to stir thoroughly, or for a thicker frappe-like texture, pour everything into a blender with extra ice and blend for 30 seconds until it's smooth and velvety.
- Finish and Serve:
- Pour into a fresh glass if you blended it, add a light dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder on top, and drink it immediately while it's perfectly cold and creamy.
Save One morning I brought this to my mom, and she drank half of it before asking what was in it—she expected some complicated recipe. When I told her it was just cold brew and a protein shake, she laughed and said I'd discovered something she wished she'd known about years ago. It became this small moment where something simple felt genuinely helpful.
Playing with Flavors
Once you nail the basic version, you can get experimental without changing the formula. A caramel-flavored protein shake tastes like fancy coffee shop magic, while mocha varieties let you double down on the chocolate notes. I've even tried vanilla protein with a dash of hazelnut syrup swirled through, and it transforms into something that feels almost dessert-like. The best part is you can taste-test each variation in about a minute, so there's no risk in trying something new.
Making It Work for Your Diet
This drink is naturally adaptable to whatever you're doing nutritionally. If you're vegan, swap in a plant-based protein shake and make sure your cold brew wasn't made with any animal products—suddenly it fits your lifestyle perfectly. For gluten-free, just check your protein shake label since some brands sneak in gluten, but most are naturally clear. You can add a handful of spinach to the blender version for an extra nutrient boost without changing the taste at all.
The Texture Debate
There's something deeply satisfying about how this drink comes together, and you get to choose your own experience. Some mornings I'm in a hurry and just stir it with a straw for a quick drink that's still creamy from the shake. Other days when I have five extra minutes, I'll blend the whole thing with extra ice to get this silky frappe texture that feels more substantial and luxurious.
- Blended version: Use a standard blender, add all ingredients with a full glass of ice, pulse until smooth—it'll be thicker and colder.
- Stirred version: Perfect when you're actually rushing, just stir with a straw or spoon and you get creaminess with way less effort.
- Cold brew strength matters: If your cold brew tastes weak, use 200 ml instead of 150 ml—taste as you go and trust your instincts.
Save This drink proves that the best recipes sometimes come from happy accidents and lazy mornings—when you just combine what you have and it works. It's become something I make on mornings when I need to feel strong and capable, and there's real power in that simplicity.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use any protein shake for this blend?
Yes, you can use dairy-based or plant-based protein shakes depending on your preference or dietary requirements.
- → How can I make the drink thicker?
To achieve a frappe-like texture, blend all ingredients including ice until creamy and smooth.
- → Is it necessary to use cold brew coffee?
Cold brew coffee provides a smooth, less acidic flavor ideal for this drink, but chilled coffee works as an alternative.
- → What sweeteners work best with this blend?
Maple syrup or honey can be added to sweeten naturally, but you can adjust or omit based on taste.
- → Can I customize the flavor profile?
Yes, using flavored protein shakes such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel, or mocha lets you tailor the taste to your liking.