13 Best Bottled Milkshake Brands Ranked
What's your favorite milkshake flavor? Do you like to get creative with your drinks or stick to the classics, like vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate? Whatever your preference may be, we can all agree that milkshakes are amazing. They're delicious, colorful, and will cool you down fast during the hot summer.
As much as we appreciate milkshakes, however, they have a terrible reputation for not being the healthiest dessert. This is even worse for bottled milkshake brands, which are often consumed as meal replacements. Common misconceptions about these products are that they all contain too many chemical additives, offer very little nutrition, and are packed with sugar. While some brands certainly fall into this category, a few are doing it right.
From taste to texture and nutritional value, we've ranked 13 of the best bottled milkshake brands you can buy. This way, you'll know what products to stock up on next time you're shopping.
13. Hershey's
Although Hershey's bottled milkshake is at the bottom of the list, you will find some positive reviews out there with consumers describing how delicious and creamy it is. This milkshake is a wallet-friendly treat that gives you 13 grams of protein and other nutrients, including calcium, iron, and potassium. It's also Kosher and made using low-fat milk.
However, the problem with Hershey's bottled milkshake is that it's way too sweet for some people. One serving of this drink has a whopping 51 grams of sugar; this is equivalent to more than 10 teaspoons, which is excessive for the average person. The American Heart Association strongly recommends that men keep their daily sugar consumption under 9 teaspoons, while the limit for women is six teaspoons per day. Hershey's milkshakes also contain artificial flavoring, so they might not be the healthiest drink to throw back every day.
12. Pure Protein
Pure Protein milkshakes are thick and creamy, and the company offers consumers four classic flavors: vanilla, strawberry, caramel, and chocolate. One reason people love these products is they nourish you with up to 30 grams of protein, far exceeding what you'd typically get from this type of beverage. Another positive feature is that it doesn't overload your body with sugar because it contains less than a gram. Consumers also get essential micronutrients such as vitamin D, folic acid, niacin, biotin, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and many others. This brand of milkshakes is also gluten-free, allowing people with digestive health problems like Celiac disease to enjoy it.
The problem with Pure Protein shakes is that they contain artificial sweeteners that leave consumers with "a bitter aftertaste." Surprisingly, some others don't mind this flavor, with one reviewer from Walmart commenting that it, "Tastes good and does the job for more energy and muscle strength."
11. Premier Protein
Premier Protein is the way to go if you love your milkshakes in interesting flavors, like cafe latte, peanut butter, cake batter, pumpkin spice, and winter mint chocolate. This brand also has standard chocolate, strawberries & cream, vanilla, and caramel milkshakes. It's a great way to energize before or after a gym session, as these milkshakes provide up to 30 grams of protein.
One athletic consumer describes these drinks as having "enough protein, not a lot of sugar, and not too many calories." According to the Mayo Clinic, consuming enough protein helps your body build strong muscles and repair damaged tissues. These tasty milkshakes from Premier Protein also get praise from consumers for providing 24 vital vitamins and minerals that support overall health and immunity, including folic acid, vitamin A, zinc, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin K, calcium, and iron.
But there are some complaints from reviewers about this product, which is why it has a low place on this list. Premier Protein has artificial flavors and sweeteners, so it's not the best-tasting drink you can buy. One reviewer from Target commented that it has an "Overwhelming taste of sucralose. If you are used to consuming sucralose, this is likely not a big deal."
10. Fairlife
Fairlife has all the elements of an excellent bottled milkshake: great taste, lots of nutrients, and low sugar. Want a quick burst of energy? Fairlife Core Power milkshakes offer 26 grams of protein, but you can get more. The company has an Elite range that nearly doubles that to 42 grams. These milkshakes provide 50 to 70% of your daily calcium needs but keep the total sugar content low, between 5 to 8 grams. Despite having no added sugars, they're still "absolutely delicious. Not too sweet," according to one consumer.
Fairlife milkshakes are low in fat and cholesterol, making them heart-friendly. These products further support your health with vitamins A and D. On top of that, they contain lactase allowing individuals who can't tolerate lactose to enjoy a delicious treat.
Since these products contain artificial flavoring, they rank a little low. Nevertheless, they still taste natural, as this reviewer explains that the Fairlife strawberry banana milkshakes have "Zero chalkiness, zero fake banana flavor and zero aftertaste."
9. Barebells
Barebells milkshake is a yummy beverage that will fill you up without making you sluggish. Each 330-milliliter bottle gives you 24 grams of protein plus 12 grams of carbohydrates for that extra burst of energy, but because it has no added sugar, you won't experience a crash afterward. One Amazon reviewer shares their experience with Barebells protein shakes, saying, "I'm loyal to Barbells, drinks they are the only brand that when I drink their shakes it doesn't feel like drinking protein."
We appreciate that Barebells makes an effort to include different dietary restrictions. These milkshakes are gluten and lactose-free, making them easier on the gut. A thrilled user on Amazon wrote, "Delicious and lactose free can't go wrong with it!" Another buyer shared, "I love these shakes! So hard to find a no added sugar protein shake which actually tastes good. It tastes like a delicious chocolate milkshake. I have as an afternoon treat as I don't have enough protein in my diet. It's cleaner than other protein products and doesn't cause any tummy issues like some."
The only thing keeping Barebells milkshakes from claiming a higher place on this list despite these positive reviews is that it has the artificial sweeteners acesulfame-K and sucralose. Harvard Health explains that artificial sugar substitutes are linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
8. Frijj
When you first sip the Frijj milkshake, the delicious, creamy taste tickles your taste buds, but the sweetness isn't followed by a nasty aftertaste, so most consumers are ecstatic. One person described it as "Very thick and creamy and sweet. It doesn't have that bitter after taste [sic]. The colder, the better! You get quite a lot for the price."
This product is very similar in texture and flavor to milkshakes from a cafe, leading another person to say, "It has a lovely strawberry taste, but most importantly, the texture is quite thick, making it super tasty. This is definitely the best strawberry milkshake available."
Frijj milkshakes are sweetened with corn syrup and fructose, nothing artificial. Unfortunately, this pushes its sugar content to 10.1 grams per 100 milliliters, so it might not be a healthy snack to have all the time. But whenever you treat yourself to one, you'll get 3.8 grams of protein and 137 milligrams of calcium from 100-milliliter servings. This is why one consumer describes it as a "Great calcium" source for kids. It also provides vitamin B12 and other nutrients.
7. Happy Monkey
We love a simple, tasty treat for kids, and Happy Monkey milkshakes fulfill that need. This vegan milkshake is unlike other beverages for children that contain more chemical additives than nutrients as it's made from four to five simple ingredients and doesn't have fillers. It's delicious, the kids love it, and it has zero alternative sweeteners.
A 100-milliliter portion of this drink provides 3.3 to 3.5 grams of protein for sustainable energy. Other vital nutrients that Happy Monkey milkshakes supply are calcium for bone development and vitamin B for overall health. Unfortunately, the amount of sugar it contains is concerning, with 7.7 to 8.9 grams in 100 milliliters.
The small 200-milliliter packs of Happy Monkey milkshakes, which are only available in two simple flavors, strawberry and chocolate, can easily fit into your kid's lunch box or be served as a chilled snack on a hot day.
6. Yazoo
One taste of a Yazoo milkshake will quickly reveal why they're so popular. For starters, this product has no artificial sweeteners or flavors, so reviewers say it has a "Very nice taste," adding that it's " well worth money."
Next, consumers appreciate the high nutritional value of Yazoo milkshakes. Each 100-milliliter portion gives you 3 grams of protein. In addition to that, this beverage is an excellent source of calcium for strong bones and vitamin B12 for wellness. But take note because this serving size also contains 9.6 grams of sugar.
Finally, Yazoo doesn't serve all that delicious goodness to adults alone. The company also makes flavored milk beverages for kids that contain far less sugar (4.6 grams). Even with zero added sugar, children love them, and one reviewer shared, "My son loves these milkshakes. They have a good fruit flavour without being too sweet and I find them a really good way to get my son to drink more."
5. Bolthouse Farms
If you hate the artificial taste of chemical sweeteners, then you'll love Bolthouse Farms milkshakes. One consumer happily reported, "It's great a drink especially when trying to add more protein into my diet. I'm allergic to "fake" sugars and most others have sucralose in them. This has cane sugar. It may be more calories than the other shakes but I don't get headaches from drinking it. It taste [sic] great too."
Despite having up to 38 grams of sugar per serving, Bolthouse Farms milkshakes don't have an overpowering sweet taste. But they also don't have that chalky taste of protein shakes even though they contain 18 to 30 grams of protein. This gives you long-lasting energy, so many consumers have named it their "favorite of all the protein shakes."
This brand of bottled milkshakes gives you over 20 micronutrients, including vitamin B, calcium, iron, vitamin D, and zinc, making it an excellent way to support your diet. The main ingredients in Bolthouse Farms shakes are natural fruit extracts and reduced-fat milk. The Protein Plus drink from this company also includes whey and soy protein for added nutrition. These products are Kosher and free from preservatives.
4. Soylent
Soylent deserves some accolades for creating some of the best-tasting plant-based milkshakes. One Reddit user spoke about the Soylent cocoa flavor, saying, "To me, it tastes like a melted chocolate frosty from Wendy's. Definitely my favorite Soylent product I've had so far. I think it's the first one where I've thought, 'this is pretty good.'"
Soy is the main ingredient and primary protein source in this product, and it meets 40% of what you need to consume daily. It is low in sugar, contains natural ingredients, and is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall wellness.
Surprisingly, for a product with only 1 gram of sugar, many consumers were happy with the flavor and texture, noting that it is "Not overly thick. Not chalky at all."
Although Soylent shakes are available in diverse flavors like bananas, gingerbread, and strawberries, you can also blend in other fruits of your choice to maximize the rich taste. Lastly, these beverages are gluten-free and Kosher.
3. Shaken Udder
Shaken Udder bottled milkshakes will have you feeling like you're seated in your favorite diner. They're thick, creamy, and flavorful, and one consumer said it's "easily the best chocolate milk available in stores." It's made with natural ingredients and is free from chemical additives like color, preservatives, or flavors. Another shopper on Amazon raved about the vanilla flavor, saying, "I love Shaken Udder so much. It's thicker than other milkshakes available and the taste is unbeatable. A true vanilla milkshake that is almost addictive." This natural taste and flavor are why it's among the top three bottled milkshake brands you can find.
As you enjoy the rich flavor of your Shaken Udder milkshake, beware because it's not a low-sugar beverage. Each 100-milliliter serving of the Chocoslush flavor contains 11.2 grams of sugar. The redeeming quality of this brand is that it's also rich in protein (3.6 grams), calcium, vitamin B, and other essential nutrients.
Shaken Udder also makes a vegan-friendly alternative called Shaken Other, which contains coconut milk. Even this plant-based option has won the hearts of consumers, with one person saying it "is just delicious you wouldn't know it was dairy free. Thick and creamy and tastes like a real treat."
2. Ensure
Whether you're recovering from illness or just want a tasty treat, Ensure has a milkshake for you. This famous brand makes beverages rich in nutrients and proteins to support your diet and meet different dietary needs. The Ensure website has a product finder page that reviews your needs and matches you to the right product.
Ensure's milkshakes contain varying amounts of protein, anywhere from 9 to 30 grams. The brand also offers plant-based protein shakes for vegans or people with dairy intolerance. Instead of soy, however, this product contains fava beans, which isn't one of the big allergens. Ensure beverages are also Halal and Kosher.
One reviewer of the chocolate flavor said, "I love this product. Since I have many allergies it is usually hard to find products to drink and eat.[...] The fava bean mixed with pea protein was a great idea, the flavor of the drink is really good." Another happy customer stated, "The chocolate is SOO GOOD!" We suggest serving your Ensure milkshake cold to get the creamiest richest flavor.
1. Orgain
Orgain makes such high-quality milkshakes it's hard to believe they're in a bottle. This brand is the clear winner because its products are made using organic milk obtained from purely grass-fed cows. According to a study published in Foods journal, the pasture diet helps cows produce healthier milk rich in protein and healthy fats, such as omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
Drinking these nutritional shakes from Orgain is a delicious way to add 16 extra grams of protein to your diet. It has only 11 grams of added sugars but no artificial sweeteners. Therefore, one consumer said these shakes have the "best taste ever." Plus, it's "easy to drink" and has "no after taste." Another reviewer wrote that Orgain milkshakes are "great for people who don't like 'fake' tasting chocolate shakes." This reviewer further describes its texture and taste saying, "no watery consistency and no fake sugar taste. Works great for me for an afternoon get-over-the-hump boost."
These products don't have soy or gluten, so they suit people with diverse nutrition needs or food sensitivities. The company also makes vegan protein shakes for kids and adults. Orgain shakes are non-GMO and Kosher certified and do a great job satisfying the taste and nutritional expectations of most buyers.