Add a holiday twist to your protein shakes with these easy recipes.
Whey Protein Shakes to Help You Power Through Your Holiday Workouts
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte Protein Shake
Enjoy the flavors of fall with this pumpkin spice-flavored protein shake recipe. You only need these five ingredients:
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 3 tsp instant espresso powder
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 scoop vanilla-flavored Evertrain Protein + Health
How to: Put everything in a blender and process until smooth. If you want to skip the caffeine, substitute coffee with other ingredients like fruit or rolled oats.
2. Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake
Here’s a holiday protein shake you will enjoy as a pre- or post-workout drink. To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 cup of ice
- ½ cup almond milk
- 1 drop peppermint flavor
- ½ cup brewed coffee or espresso
- 1 scoop chocolate-flavored protein powder
Tip: If you want to treat yourself to an extra sweet beverage, you may also add whipped cream, dark chocolate shavings or peppermint candy sprinkles. Again, you can always leave out the coffee if you’re staying off caffeine.
3. Gingerbread Protein Shake
If you’re not fond of sweets, here’s a spicy holiday protein shake you will like. You need:
- 1 cup ice
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup almond milk
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 scoop vanilla-flavored protein powder
Tip: Use ½ teaspoon of ground ginger if you want a spicier protein shake. If desired, you may also add crushed gingersnap cookies as toppings.
4. Eggnog Protein Shake
Turn this classic holiday beverage into a healthy and high protein drink. All you need are the following ingredients:
- ¼ tsp cloves
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 banana, frozen
- ¼ cup greek yogurt
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 scoop vanilla-flavored protein powder
How to: Process all the ingredients in a blender and serve chilled.
5. Irish Coffee Protein Shake
Here’s another coffee recipe that will give you a much-needed energy boost. You need:
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 tbsp instant coffee
- 1 ½ tsp Irish cream syrup
- 1 scoop vanilla-flavored whey protein
Tip: Opt for sugar-free Irish cream syrup to cut down on calories. You may also substitute instant coffee with cold brew coffee if you prefer.
6. Chocolate Fudge Protein Shake
Who says you can’t make protein shakes that will indulge your sweet tooth? Here’s a recipe that does just that:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 banana, frozen
- pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp chocolate-flavored protein powder
Tip: Add 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter for extra protein and flavor. If the consistency is too thick, add a little more almond milk or a little bit of water.
7. Sugar Cookie Protein Shake
Sugar cookies may not be good for your diet but this protein shake is. To make a sugar cookie-inspired high protein beverage, you need:
- pinch of salt
- ¼ cup raw oats
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp imitation butter flavor
- 1 scoop vanilla-flavored protein powder
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened
Tip: You can find imitation butter flavor in the baking aisle of supermarkets. Or you might want to substitute this ingredient with a little bit of melted margarine, which is made from vegetable oils and is healthier than butter.
8. Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Smoothie
This recipe is perfect for dessert lovers. Indulge in this sweet drink minus the added sugar and guilt. All you need are the following:
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ cups strawberries, frozen
- ½ cup banana, frozen and sliced
- ¼ cup vanilla-flavored protein powder
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
Tip: Make this recipe even healthier by adding ½ cup of uncooked rolled oats. Who knew healthy desserts exist?
Related: Protein Shake Recipes To Break From The Norm
9. Snickerdoodle Protein Shake
This snickerdoodle-inspired drink is packed with all the protein you need for your workouts. To make it, prepare the following ingredients:
- 3 oz liquid egg whites
- 1 tsp peanut butter
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 scoop vanilla-flavored whey protein powder
Tip: Opt for natural peanut butter to avoid added salt and sugar.
10. White Chocolate Mocha Protein Shake
Recreate this popular holiday beverage and make it better by turning it into a protein shake. All you need are these four ingredients:
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp instant coffee
- ½ cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 scoop vanilla-flavored protein powder
Tip: The original recipe also included white chocolate chips and white chocolate syrup. These are just added sugar but if you feel like having a cheat day, go ahead and add these to your protein shake.
11. Black Forest Protein Shake
Cherry and chocolate is always a good combination. For this beverage, you will need:
- 1 cup cherries, frozen
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup chocolate-flavored protein powder
Tip: You may substitute spinach with any greens. If you’re not a fan of veggies in your protein shakes, you may also opt not to include greens at all.
12. Toffee Nut Protein Shake
If you’re looking for a healthy chocolate fix, here’s the perfect recipe for you. Enjoy a chocolate protein shake that packs on flavor and nutrients. Prepare:
- 2 dates, pitted
- 1 banana, frozen
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsalted almond butter
- 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
- ¾ cup almond milk, unsweetened
- 1 scoop chocolate-flavored protein powder
Tip: Garnish with grated dark chocolate if you want to make your drink extra special.
13. Mexican Chocolate Breakfast Protein Smoothie
If you want chocolate, then it’s best to go with this Mexican chocolate breakfast protein smoothie instead. It can replace your breakfast meal, and best of all, it will keep you full until lunchtime!
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 cup milk (almond, soy, or coconut)
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Honey or maple syrup to taste
- 1 small banana
How to: Combine the oats, cinnamon, milk, cocoa powder, and sweetener in a bowl. Leave this mixture overnight. The next day, slice the banana into several pieces and blend together with the oat mixture.
Tip: You can add more milk if the mixture is too thick. You can also lessen the sweetener if you find it too sweet.
14. Salted Caramel Protein Shake
Ditch the frappucino and opt for this healthier and protein-packed alternative. All you need are the following ingredients:
- dash of salt
- 1 tsp caramel extract
- 1 ½ cups vanilla almond milk
- 1 scoop chocolate-flavored whey protein powder
Tip: Add an extra teaspoon of caramel if you feel like rewarding yourself after a strenuous workout. If you need a pick-me-up, you can also add a teaspoon of instant coffee or ½ cup of brewed coffee.
15. Oatmeal Protein Shake
If you’re having issues with digestion lately due to the stuff you’ve been eating at the dinner parties, then add oatmeal to your protein shake. Try this recipe.
- ¼ cup dry oats
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ cups water or almond milk
- a handful of ice cubes
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
How to: Just mix everything in a blender and process until smooth.
Try our muscle-building pumpkin spice protein shake this holiday season:
These protein shakes are all you need to power your workouts during the holidays. You are free to tweak these recipes to suit your preferences. Switch almond milk with any milk of your choice, add more fruit or greens, or leave out the coffee — it’s up to you!
Do you have other recipes for protein shakes? Share them with us in the comments section below!