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Protein Coffee (Proffee): Iced Recipe, Protein and Calories

By Mara EllisonReviewed by Online Coffee Guide editorial teamPublished Updated 5 min read

Protein coffee, or proffee, combines coffee with protein powder or a prepared shake. This iced vanilla version mixes the powder into cold liquid before adding coffee, giving a light coffee-shake texture without dry powder clumps.

Tan iced coffee in a tall glass beside an unbranded shaker and a scoop of pale powder.
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Drink Snapshot

Caffeine
50 mg reference120 g generic prepared brewed coffeeUSDA 40 mg/100 g gives 48 mg before rounding. Count any caffeine in a different powder or shake too.
Calories
Estimated 60 kcalNamed 15 g French Vanilla Crème whey portionOptimum Nutrition UK 30 g label, halved, plus 120 g generic black coffee. Water and water ice add no calories.
Serving, sugar and sources
Serving
1 glass: 120 g (4.2 oz) coffee + 120 ml (½ US cup) water + 15 g (0.5 oz) powder + 100 g (3.5 oz) ice
Made with
Cooled brewed coffee and vanilla protein mixture
Sugar
Estimated 0.5 g total. From half the selected powder's 30 g label serving. Milk sugar is included in the total.
Preparation
About 5 minutes; coffee already cold

Estimated 12 g protein. Named label estimates checked 25 September 2026. See the full calculation or label comparison.

Key Takeaways

  • 1Choose the protein product for its flavor as well as its protein content; coffee will not necessarily hide an aftertaste.
  • 2Mix powder into cold liquid before adding ice so you can break up lumps more easily.
  • 3Use only fully cooled coffee in a sealed shaker; never seal or shake hot or warm liquids.
On This Page9 Sections

Iced Protein Coffee Recipe

Use a scale for the coffee and powder, a measuring jug for water, a cold-liquid shaker and a 400 ml (13.5 US fl oz) glass.

Use ready-to-drink black coffee rather than undiluted cold-brew concentrate.

Recipe

Iced protein coffee

Makes:
1 serving
Time:
About 5 minutes, with the coffee already cold

Ingredients

  • 120 g (4.2 oz) fully cooled brewed coffee, not undiluted concentrate
  • 120 ml (½ US cup) cold water
  • 15 g (0.5 oz) vanilla protein powder suitable for cold mixing; Optimum Nutrition UK Gold Standard 100% Whey French Vanilla Crème for the stated estimate
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) ice

Equipment

  • Digital scale
  • Measuring jug
  • Shaker designed for cold liquids
  • 400 ml (13.5 US fl oz) glass

Method

  1. Mix the powder. Add 120 ml (½ US cup) cold water to a shaker, then 15 g (0.5 oz) protein powder. Secure the lid and shake until dispersed, following the product instructions.
  2. Add cold coffee. Add 120 g (4.2 oz) fully cooled brewed coffee, secure the lid and shake briefly again. Never seal or shake hot or warm liquids.
  3. Serve. Put 100 g (3.5 oz) ice in a 400 ml (13.5 US fl oz) glass. Pour in the mixture, leave headroom and serve.

Estimated nutrition: 60 kcal · 0.5 g total sugar. Per drink, using 15 g Optimum Nutrition UK French Vanilla Crème whey.

Protein powder shaken with cold water, followed by fully cooled coffee, then poured over ice.
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Disperse the powder in cold water before adding fully cooled coffee and serving ice.

Prepare the coffee with the drip-coffee method, then cool it fully before weighing the 120 g (4.2 oz) portion.

Leave headroom for ice, powder solids and foam. BlenderBottle's guidance supports the liquid-first order and warns against using hot or warm liquid in a sealed shaker.

Protein Coffee with Powder vs. a Ready-Made Shake

A powder lets you choose the amount; a prepared shake removes the mixing step. Measure the chosen product using its label.

Our comparison below keeps the coffee at 120 g (4.2 oz). The two named label portions have different volumes.

Protein Coffee with Powder vs a Ready-Made ShakeScrollable table
Protein Coffee with Powder vs a Ready-Made Shake
RouteProtein ingredientOther liquidApproximate glass nutrition
Powder recipe above15 g (0.5 oz) Optimum Nutrition UK Gold Standard 100% Whey, French Vanilla Crème120 ml (½ US cup) cold water60 kcal; 12 g protein; 0.5 g total sugar
Ready-made variationHalf of one Premier Protein US Vanilla 340 ml (11.5 US fl oz) bottleNo added water80 kcal; 15 g protein; 0.5 g total sugar

For the shake version, gently mix the 170 ml (5.7 US fl oz), half the named bottle, with 120 g (4.2 oz) cooled coffee, then pour over 100 g (3.5 oz) ice. Omit both the powder and the recipe's 120 ml (½ US cup) water. Use a larger 500 ml (17 US fl oz) glass for headroom because the liquid portion differs. This calculation uses the 340 ml (11.5 US fl oz) bottle, not another package shown on the manufacturer's page.

Both selected examples contain milk and soy ingredients. A plant-based powder needs its own label calculation and may mix differently. Choose the ingredient for your needs, then measure the portion.

Protein Coffee Nutrition and Caffeine

One glass with 120 g (4.2 oz) brewed coffee, 120 ml (½ US cup) water, 15 g (0.5 oz) Optimum Nutrition UK French Vanilla Crème whey and 100 g (3.5 oz) ice provides an estimated 12 g protein, 60 kcal and 0.5 g total sugar, with a 50 mg caffeine reference.

Ingredient calculations and sources

Powder weight × label protein ÷ label serving weight gives the protein contribution. The selected Optimum Nutrition UK flavor declares 24 g protein, 113 kcal and 1 g sugars per 30 g serving. At 15 g, that is 12 g protein, 56.5 kcal and 0.5 g sugar. Add the small generic coffee contribution and round the drink to 60 kcal.

The Premier Protein US label declares 30 g protein, 160 kcal and 1 g sugar per 11.5 fl oz bottle. Half supplies 15 g protein, 80 kcal and 0.5 g sugar before coffee. Use the actual flavor’s label; these rounded-label estimates do not apply to every 15 g powder portion.

For caffeine, USDA's generic prepared-coffee record FDC 171890 contains 40 mg per 100 g. The recipe's 120 g gives 48 mg, rounded to 50 mg. Actual beans, brewing and concentration vary. Water and ice dilute the drink without removing caffeine.

Want less caffeine? Use prepared decaf coffee and check any premixed protein ingredient for added caffeine. Decaf is not necessarily caffeine-free.

What Does Protein Coffee Taste Like?

The iced vanilla version on this page tastes like a light coffee shake: sweet vanilla meets the roasted edge of cold coffee. The powder supplies much of the sweetness and body, so a different brand or flavor can change the drink as much as a different coffee.

A well-mixed cup should be easy to sip, but some powders leave a chalky texture or a lingering sweetener finish. More powder makes the drink thicker without making the coffee stronger. If you want more coffee character, adjust the coffee component rather than piling in powder.

I prefer starting with a protein powder I enjoy on its own, because I want the coffee to add a roasted contrast rather than disguise an aftertaste I dislike.

Compared with an iced latte, protein coffee takes more of its flavor and texture from the added protein product. Bulletproof coffee uses added fat instead, giving a different kind of richness.

Protein Coffee Troubleshooting

Protein Coffee TroubleshootingScrollable table
Protein Coffee Troubleshooting
ProblemLikely causeUseful adjustment
Dry lumpsPowder met too little liquid at oncePut cold water in first; disperse powder before adding coffee
Chalky or gritty finishPowder formulation or insufficient mixingFollow its mixing directions; compare another flavor or protein type
Too thick or sweetConcentrated powder mixture or sweetened productAdd a little cold water, or choose a different product next time
Coffee disappearsStrong flavoring or too much dilution for your coffeeChoose a coffee you enjoy cold; change one ingredient at a time
Too much shaker foamVigorous mixingLet it settle briefly before pouring; keep everything cold

Extra water changes concentration and serving volume, while the amounts of protein and caffeine stay the same if you drink the whole portion.

Protein Coffee Benefits and Meal Context

The straightforward benefit is convenience: coffee flavor and a measurable protein portion in one drink. That does not make it a weight-loss drink, a complete breakfast or evidence of improved workout results. Cleveland Clinic's dietitian discussion also distinguishes protein coffee from a balanced meal. Consider what accompanies it rather than assuming the word “protein” settles the question.

Common Questions

Can I put protein powder in hot coffee?
Some products are intended for warm use, but follow that product's instructions. This recipe is cold. Never seal or shake hot or warm coffee in a shaker; for a hot variation use an open vessel and suitable equipment.
How much protein powder should I add?
This home recipe uses 15 g (0.5 oz) for a moderate portion. Weigh it and calculate protein from your label.
Can I use cold brew?
Yes. Measure 120 g (4.2 oz) ready-to-drink cold brew for the coffee portion, keeping the recipe’s water, powder and ice amounts the same. Dilute any concentrate according to its own instructions before weighing that portion, and use its caffeine information.
Can I make dairy-free protein coffee?
Yes. For the powder version, start with 15 g (0.5 oz) plant-based powder intended for cold mixing and follow its mixing directions with the recipe’s cold liquids. Check every ingredient and calculate protein and calories from your product’s label. The two named examples contain milk and soy.
Does proffee replace breakfast?
The recipe supplies coffee and some protein. Have it with a balanced breakfast rather than using it as your whole meal.

Editor's Take

Sources and Further Reading

6 references

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