Flavors Tried: Vanilla & Mocha
Price: $29.99 for 12 ($2.50 per bottle)
Nutrition: 90 Calories, 2.5g Fat, 8g Carbs (1g Fiber & 6g Sugar), 10g Protein
100mg Caffeine Per Bottle
Alani Nu is a brand that has exploded in popularity in recent years. From protein bars to shakes, they’ve established quite a reputation.
Personally, I’ve tried their protein bars and one flavor of their protein shakes (fruity cereal) and I’d describe them as pretty middle-of-the-road.
Alani Nu products aren’t necessarily disappointing, but I also don’t feel like they don’t live up to the hype that so many people have built. So, when I decided to finally try the Alani Nu protein coffee, I set my expectations similarly.
I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this protein coffee, so I’m ready to be proven wrong.
These ready-to-drink protein shakes have a relatively low-calorie count at 90 calories, alongside a fairly decent 10g of protein, which pales in comparison to their standard protein shakes (those have 20g).
Considering the protein coffee is lower in protein, my hope was that they prioritized flavor over simply trying to infuse as much protein as possible into this drink.
Let’s find out if that’s the case.
Alani Nu Vanilla Coffee Review
The Vanilla Alani Nu Protein Coffee smells awesome, and it definitely resembles a vanilla latte.
The flavor certainly tells a similar story, and I’d compare this to drinking coffee with milk and French vanilla coffee cream added.
The coffee flavor is there, but it’s underwhelming, overshadowed by the strong vanilla-milk flavor. The plus side is there’s no tell-tale protein taste or that unpleasant slimy mouthfeel that I’ve experienced with Alani Nu’s standard protein shakes.
However, as someone who absolutely loves the taste of coffee, I find this flavor a bit lacking; it feels like I’m drinking milk with a hint of coffee rather than the other way around.
Latte lovers, however, might absolutely love this one, considering lattes are basically milk with a splash of coffee flavor.
In a head-to-head comparison, Premier Protein’s Café Latte Shake would be my choice over this one every single time. Not only is the coffee flavor more prominent, but it also contains significantly more protein.
Still, the Alani Nu vanilla coffee is decent, just underwhelming for my tastes.
Alani Nu Mocha Coffee Review
The mocha flavor, on the other hand, feels more like a regular chocolate protein shake than a protein coffee.
The flavor is pleasant, smooth, and devoid of artificial or protein-y undertones, but it doesn’t deliver that coffee flavor I was hoping for.
The coffee flavor is so subtle it almost feels like it’s missing, making it fall short of what I would expect (or hope) from a protein coffee. If you’re looking for a straightforward chocolate protein shake with some caffeine, it does the job, but if you’re craving that coffee kick, this one might disappoint.
Alani Nu Protein Coffees are made with cold brew coffee, which I was super excited about as a die-hard cold brew fan.
Yet, the coffee flavor in these shakes seems too subtle to feel like I’m drinking cold brew instead of simple iced coffee. It’s smooth, but it’s also subtle, which leaves me wanting more.
Alani Nu Protein Coffee: Overall Thoughts
Just like the rest of the Alani Nu products I’ve tried, Alani Nu’s Protein Coffee is decent, but unfortunately falls into the ‘underwhelming’ category.
While it’s not the worst protein coffee I’ve ever tried, it certainly doesn’t rise to the top either. For those seeking a protein-packed coffee kick, there are more satisfying options out there. Personally, I’d rather add my own protein powder to my coffee in order to get more coffee flavor out of my drink.
If you’re in need of a ready-to-drink protein coffee, this can certainly get the job done, but my vote would still go to Premier Protein as the go-to.
