Protein shakes are a portable way to fuel your body when you’re crunched for time or out and about. But given all of our very hectic lives, even blending your favorite protein powder into a shaker cup can sometimes feel like it requires one step too many. Especially the last part, when you have to clean the shaker cup.
When convenience is what matters most, ready-to-drink protein shakes come in clutch. These premade drinks pack all of the protein and nutrition you need—without any prep, assembly, or liquid detergent necessary. Whether you’re in a rush, going to be away from the kitchen for a while, or just want to treat yourself to something as functional as it is delicious, ready-to-drink protein shakes make the perfect companion.
Many options are made with milk or whey protein, but that doesn’t mean plant-based-fuelers are out of luck. You’ve got plenty of vegan protein picks nowadays!
Try one of these popular RTDs to give your muscles a boost and make on-the-go gains easy-peasy.
Alani Nu Fit Shakes
Made with a combo of milk protein concentrate and isolate, Alani Nu’s protein shakes are real-deal creamy—because they’re made with actual cream! For 140 calories, each milkshake-level drink provides 20 grams of protein for just six grams of sugar. Their flavors—Fruity Cereal, Chocolate, Vanilla, and Munchies (think salty-sweet)—also can’t be beat. And don’t worry: If you don’t jive with dairy, Alani Nu’s shakes also contain lactase to help you digest it more easily.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Drinks
ON’s Gold Standard 100% Whey protein powders are an all-time favorite—and their ready-to-drink shakes package it up in a perfectly portable container. Every serving offers 24 grams of the high-quality whey protein concentrate you love, including 5.5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to support muscle recovery and growth. Both the classic Chocolate and Vanilla flavors contain just two grams of sugar.
OWYN Plant-Based Protein Drinks
Looking for plant-based shakes that seriously deliver on taste? OWYN’s drinks pack 20 grams of plant-based protein from a blend of pea, pumpkin, and flaxseed. They also offer a blend of kale, spinach, broccoli, fiber, and omega-3s, so you know you’re getting well-rounded nutrition with every sip.
OWYN goes above and beyond in the flavor department, with Dark Chocolate, Smooth Vanilla, Cold Brew Coffee, Strawberry Vanilla, Cookies N’ Creamless, and Golden Mylk options—all for about four grams of sugar per shake.
Orgain Grass-Fed & Vegan All-In-One Protein Shakes
Orgain is famous for its commitment to squeaky-clean ingredients, so you can bet that their on-the-go protein shakes keep it simple—yet delicious. Their grass-fed All-In-One shakes contain 16 grams of organic protein, 24 vitamins and minerals, and a balanced ratio of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Try them in Creamy Chocolate Fudge, Bananas and Cream, Iced Café Mocha, and Sweet Vanilla Bean.
If you prefer to fuel up plant-style, though, their vegan shake offers a similar nutritional profile using brown rice, hemp, chia, and pea proteins. Both the Smooth Chocolate and Sweet Vanilla Bean go down oh-so easy.
RedCon1 MRE Protein Shakes
If you dig RedCon1’s famous whole food protein-based MRE powders, you’ll fall hard for their ready-to-drink shakes fast. Completely free of whey or lactose, these shakes use a unique blend of beef, pea, brown rice, and egg white proteins for easy-to-digest fuel. Every drink contains 19 grams of protein and zero grams of sugar, which is impressive considering how decadent their flavors are. Good luck choosing between the Milk Chocolate, Blueberry Cobbler, Strawberry Shortcake, and Vanilla Milkshake.
Quest Protein Shakes
With so many other delicious protein goodies—from bars to chips to peanut butter cups—it’s no surprise that Quest’s ready-to-drink protein shakes are tasty with a capital T. Whether you go for the Chocolate, Vanilla, or Salted Caramel, you’ll score a whopping 30 grams of protein for just three grams of carbs and a single gram of sugar per shake. They’ve also got a pretty short ingredients list compared to some of the other sips out there—a plus if you prefer to keep things on the clean side.
Labrada Nutrition Lean Body Protein Shakes
Available in Chocolate, Banana, Café Mocha, Cookies & Cream, Mint Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, and Strawberry, Labrada’s Lean Body Shakes are a long-time favorite, famous for their super-creamy taste. Made without sugar, gluten, or lactose, they pack in a hardcore 40 grams of protein and 23 vitamins and minerals a pop. If you’re serious about making gains, it’s the perfect pick.