Protein Iced Coffee
I started drinking these during a summer internship when the office coffee was undrinkable and the cafe downstairs charged $6 for an iced latte. A scoop of protein powder and cold brew concentrate over ice — it's creamy without milk, gives you caffeine and 25 grams of protein in one glass, and takes roughly 30 seconds if your cold brew is already made.
I started drinking these during a summer internship when the office coffee was undrinkable and the cafe downstairs charged $6 for an iced latte. A scoop of protein powder and cold brew concentrate over ice — it's creamy without milk, gives you caffeine and 25 grams of protein in one glass, and takes roughly 30 seconds if your cold brew is already made.
Instructions
- 1
Fill a tall glass with ice.
- 2
In a separate small cup or shaker, whisk the protein powder with about 2 tablespoons of the cold brew until smooth — this keeps it from clumping. Then stir in the rest of the coffee and the milk.
Tip: Protein powder clumps in cold liquid. Mix it with a small amount of liquid first to make a paste, then thin it out. A milk frother wand works wonders here. - 3
Pour the coffee-protein mixture over the ice. Stir, dust with cinnamon if you like, and drink immediately.
Variations
- Mocha version: Use chocolate protein powder and skip the vanilla.
- Salted caramel: Caramel protein powder + a tiny pinch of sea salt on top.
- Blended frappe: Throw everything into a blender with extra ice for a thicker, frostier drink.
- Decaf: Use decaf cold brew or brewed chicory — same ritual, no jitters.
Make Cold Brew Ahead
If you don’t keep cold brew in the fridge, steep 1 cup of coarse-ground coffee in 4 cups of cold water overnight (12-16 hours) in a jar, then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Keeps in the fridge for up to a week. Having it ready is what makes this drink a 30-second affair instead of a project.
Protein Powder Dissolving Trick
The number one complaint with protein coffee is gritty texture. The fix: mix your protein powder with room-temperature liquid first, not ice-cold. Warm the milk slightly if needed. Once it’s smooth, the cold brew and ice don’t cause clumping.