What Drink Has the Highest Amount of Protein? The Ultimate Nutrition Diet Guide

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, protein is a vital macronutrient that supports muscle repair, immunity, and overall health. For those seeking to maximize their intake, the question of what drink has the highest amount of protein becomes a key factor in their nutrition diet strategy. While many options exist, specialized protein shakes and certain milks stand out as the most potent sources for boosting your daily intake.

Quick Summary

This article explores and compares various beverages to identify the highest protein drinks available. It details the different types of protein powders, ready-to-drink shakes, and natural beverages, providing a comprehensive guide to maximizing protein consumption through liquid sources.

Key Points

Protein Powders are the most concentrated source: Specialized powders like whey isolate and casein offer the highest protein per serving, often 24–30 grams per scoop.
Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Shakes offer convenience: Brands like Fairlife and Muscle Milk provide high-protein options (up to 42g) that are pre-mixed and ready for consumption.
Fairlife Core Power Elite is a top RTD choice: With an impressive 42g of protein per bottle, this lactose-free, ultra-filtered milk shake is one of the most potent pre-packaged options.
Plant-based drinkers can choose soy or multi-source blends: Soy protein isolate and combined plant-based powders from peas, rice, and pumpkin seeds offer excellent protein density for vegan diets.
Natural beverages like kefir and bone broth provide moderate protein: While less concentrated than powders, drinks like kefir (8.8g/cup) and bone broth (9g/cup) offer protein along with other health benefits.
Choosing depends on your goal: Fast-absorbing whey is best for post-workout, while slow-digesting casein is better for sustained release, such as a bedtime drink.

Protein Powerhouses: Comparing the Highest-Protein Drinks

For fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, and anyone aiming to increase their protein intake, drinks offer a convenient and efficient solution. While a simple glass of cow's milk provides a respectable 8 grams of protein per cup, specialized drinks can offer significantly more. The highest concentrations are typically found in protein powders, where the protein is isolated and concentrated to an exceptional degree.

The Reigning Champion: Protein Powder

When it comes to pure protein density, homemade shakes using high-quality protein powder are the undisputed leaders. These supplements come in several forms, with the most concentrated being isolates and hydrolysates.

Whey Protein Isolate: This is a highly refined milk protein, with some forms containing up to 95% protein by weight. It is fast-absorbing, making it ideal for post-workout recovery. When mixed with water, a standard scoop can deliver around 24–28 grams of protein.
Casein Protein: Also derived from milk, casein is a slow-digesting protein. A typical serving can provide around 24–25 grams of protein, and it's often consumed before bed to provide a sustained release of amino acids overnight.
Soy Protein Isolate: For those following a plant-based diet, soy protein isolate is an excellent option. It offers a high protein concentration, often above 90%, and provides a complete amino acid profile. A 30-gram scoop can deliver approximately 20–25 grams of protein.
Multi-Source Plant-Based Blends: Many vegan protein powders combine sources like pea, brown rice, and pumpkin seed protein to ensure a complete amino acid profile and improve texture. These can deliver 20+ grams of protein per serving.

Ready-to-Drink Shakes: Convenience Meets Protein

For an on-the-go solution, ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes are a great choice. Brands like Muscle Milk and Fairlife offer products with very high protein content without the need for mixing or preparation.

Fairlife Core Power Elite: This brand is known for its ultra-filtered milk products. Their Elite series offers an impressive 42 grams of protein per 14-ounce bottle. It’s also lactose-free, making it a good dairy-based option for those with sensitivities.
Muscle Milk Pro Series: A popular choice for strength athletes, the Pro Series offers 32 grams of protein in an 11-ounce bottle. Its blend includes milk protein isolate and calcium caseinate for sustained release.
OWYN Pro Elite Plant-Based: This vegan RTD shake provides 32 grams of plant-based protein from a blend of pea and pumpkin seeds. It's designed for serious athletes who require high protein but prefer a dairy-free option.

Everyday High-Protein Beverages

While not as concentrated as powders or shakes, several everyday drinks provide a significant protein boost for a general nutrition diet.

Milk Kefir: This fermented milk drink is a good source of protein, with around 8.8 grams per cup, and also contains beneficial probiotics for gut health.
Bone Broth: One cup of canned chicken bone broth can provide about 9 grams of protein. It's also rich in amino acids like proline and glycine, which support joint and skin health.
Fortified Soy Milk: Providing about 7–10 grams of protein per cup, fortified soy milk is a strong plant-based alternative to dairy milk and is often enriched with calcium and vitamin D.

Comparison Table: Protein Per Serving


Drink Type	Example Product	Protein Source	Protein Per Serving	Notes
Protein Powder	Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Isolate	Whey protein isolate	28–30 g (per scoop)	Fast-absorbing, minimal carbs/fat.
Protein Powder	Applied Nutrition Micellar Casein	Micellar casein	~24.5 g (per scoop)	Slow-release, good for sustained protein.
Protein Powder	Soy Protein Isolate 90%	Soy protein isolate	~25 g (per scoop)	Complete plant-based amino acid profile.
Ready-to-Drink	Fairlife Core Power Elite	Ultra-filtered milk	42 g (per 14 oz bottle)	Very high protein, lactose-free dairy.
Ready-to-Drink	Muscle Milk Pro Series	Milk protein isolate, casein	32 g (per 11 oz bottle)	Convenient, mixed-protein source.
Ready-to-Drink	OWYN Pro Elite	Pea, pumpkin seed	32 g (per 12 oz bottle)	High-protein vegan option.
Natural Beverage	Milk Kefir	Fermented cow's milk	8.8 g (per 1 cup)	Contains probiotics.
Natural Beverage	Bone Broth	Animal bones	~9 g (per 1 cup)	Supports joints and skin health.

Maximizing Your Protein Intake Through Drinks

To effectively use high-protein drinks in your diet, consider your specific needs. For immediate post-workout recovery, a fast-absorbing whey protein isolate shake is optimal. To fuel your body overnight or for longer periods between meals, a slow-digesting casein or milk-based shake works best. Vegetarians and vegans can choose from soy or blended plant-based powders to meet their needs.

For a balanced approach, incorporating whole-food drinks like milk kefir or bone broth can provide a protein boost alongside other valuable nutrients like probiotics and minerals. Mixing protein powders with milk or a thicker plant-based alternative like soy milk can further increase the protein content and add creaminess. Always check nutritional labels, as the protein content can vary significantly between different products and even flavors of the same brand.

Conclusion

When it comes to the highest amount of protein in a drink, the clear winners are specialized, concentrated protein powders and high-protein ready-to-drink shakes. While naturally high-protein beverages like milk kefir and bone broth are nutritious, they cannot compete with the sheer protein density of a properly mixed supplement or an ultra-filtered milk shake. For those with specific fitness goals or dietary needs, leveraging these concentrated liquid protein sources can be a game-changer for hitting daily macronutrient targets.

Choosing Your Optimal Protein Drink

For peak performance and nutrition, the ideal drink depends on timing and dietary preferences. Post-workout, a whey protein isolate shake delivers rapidly absorbed protein to kickstart muscle repair. For sustained fuel, like a meal replacement or pre-bed snack, a casein-based or multi-source RTD shake is more effective. Plant-based alternatives offer excellent protein content with additional dietary benefits. Consider your needs, check product labels for detailed nutrition information, and select the drink that best supports your healthy lifestyle.

Outbound Link

For more information on protein intake and dietary guidelines, you can consult reputable sources like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is a comprehensive resource for nutritional health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whey protein isolate is often considered the best for muscle growth due to its rapid absorption rate, which quickly delivers amino acids to muscles for repair and rebuilding after a workout.

RTD shakes are convenient and can be just as effective for protein intake, with some offering very high amounts per serving (e.g., Fairlife Core Power Elite with 42g). However, they can be more expensive per serving than mixing your own powder.

For vegans, soy protein isolate powder is a top choice, as it's a complete protein with a high concentration. Ready-to-drink options like OWYN Pro Elite, which uses pea and pumpkin protein, are also excellent high-protein plant-based alternatives.

While cow's milk contains 8–10 grams of protein per cup, it is not the highest source, especially compared to concentrated shakes. It's a good supplement, but for those with very high protein goals, a concentrated drink is more efficient.

Both are milk-derived, but they differ in absorption rate. Whey is fast-digesting and best post-workout, while casein is slow-digesting, providing a sustained release of protein, and is ideal for consumption before bed.

Protein needs vary based on age, activity level, and goals. A general guideline for active individuals is to consume around 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day.

Bone broth is a decent source, offering around 9 grams of protein per cup. It's also rich in collagen and amino acids, but it is not as protein-dense as supplemental shakes.