The Most Delicious Protein Shake I’ve Ever Made

We found a protein shake that not only tastes good, we look forward to drinking it. Intrigued? We thought you'd be.

If you're serious about working out, losing weight, or getting stronger, then you already know the importance of having a lot of protein in your diet. Protein provides the building blocks for muscle growth. Muscle magazines recommend 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. That can seem like a daunting number, and many guys turn to supplementation to get their daily intake.

The problem is: protein shakes suck. They don't taste good, they're chalky, they clump, they're expensive. I've tasted a number of brands and flavors over the last 8 years and some were better than others but none of them were great. I eventually came to rely on a brand called Optimum Nutrition, usually playing it safe with one of the variations of vanilla or chocolate. They always tasted okay, better than many of the other options but still not that enjoyable.

A few weeks ago Amazon was having a sale on a flavor by Optimum Nutrition called “Extreme Milk Chocolate.” It had 4.5 stars and almost a thousand reviews, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Protein shake with a hand blenderI'm glad I did, it tastes great — almost good enough that I actually look forward to drinking it. Good flavor and good consistency when I used my hand blender. Extreme Milk Chocolate sort of tastes like cold hot chocolate, and as with all protein powders, tastes better with milk than water.

Then it happened. I got adventurous with some old standbys one day and threw in a banana and a tablespoon or two of peanut butter. And my face exploded.

There's a place here in Los Angeles called “Millions of Milkshakes” and they do one thing and one thing well. Along with being able to create your own concoction, they also have a bunch of milkshakes named for celebrities. My favorite? … the Miley Cyrus. I'm not proud of it's name but with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and cookie dough it's so good it's not even worth the risk trying anything else.

Long a late night vice packing in extra calories and junk, I can now get similar satisfaction from a protein shake. This banana, peanut butter, and Extreme Milk Chocolate mixture tastes incredibly similar to the Miley, and where it lacks in ice creamy goodness, it definitely makes up for in its protein content.

If you're looking for a protein powder that actually tastes good, check out Extreme Milk Chocolate. Also do yourself a favor and pick up a hand blender like I have and your snack binging will easily be replaced with protein shakes.

Nutrition fact diagram

Andrew Snavely

Andrew founded Primer in 2008 and brings 15+ years of men's style expertise. Known for his practical, relatable approach to style and self-development, he has been a recognized speaker at conferences and has styled work for top brands. Off-duty, he loves photography & editing, and enjoys road trips with his dog, Leela. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, educated in DC, and living in LA for nearly 20 years, Andrew's diverse experiences shape the relatable and real-world advice that has helped millions through Primer. On Instagram: @andrewsnavely and @primermagazine.