Keto Iced Coffee Protein Shake

This is the drink to make when the alternative is a 45g sugar frappe. Cold brew keeps the coffee flavor smooth instead of bitter, heavy cream and a spoon of almond butter give it body, and whey brings it to 29g protein for about 5g net carbs. Blending is not optional, because shaking leaves the almond butter in a lump at the bottom.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold brew coffee, chilled
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate whey isolate (32g)
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon natural almond butter
• 1 teaspoon MCT oil
• 1 teaspoon allulose, or 4 drops liquid monk fruit
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Pour the cold brew, almond milk, heavy cream, MCT oil, allulose, and salt into the blender.
2. Add the almond butter and whey isolate, then top with the ice.
3. Blend on high for 40 to 50 seconds, until the almond butter is fully dispersed and a stable tan foam forms on top.
4. Taste and adjust, adding a few more drops of sweetener or a splash of cream if the coffee tastes sharp.
5. Pour over a few extra ice cubes and drink immediately, or keep it sealed in the fridge for up to 12 hours and re-blend before serving.

Tips

• Use cold brew, not chilled drip coffee. Drip is far more acidic when cold and that acidity curdles the cream into visible flecks the second it hits the blender.
• Start MCT oil at one teaspoon even if you normally take more. Blended with this much fat it hits the stomach fast, and a full tablespoon on an empty stomach is a common reason people say keto coffee upsets them.
• Freeze cold brew into an ice cube tray and use those cubes in place of plain ice. You get a colder, thicker shake with no dilution as it sits.

FAQ

How many net carbs does this have?

About 5g net carbs. Coffee itself is zero, so it all comes from the whey at roughly 2g, the almond butter at 1.5g, and the cream and almond milk at under 2g combined.

Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream?

You can, but half and half has roughly three times the carbs per tablespoon and less fat, so the shake ends up thinner and closer to 8g net carbs.

Will this break a fast?

Yes. At 29g of protein and 425 calories it is a meal, not a fasting coffee. If you want something for a fasting window, drop the whey and almond butter and keep just the coffee, cream, and MCT.

Can I make it hot instead?

Use an immersion blender in a mug with hot coffee, but add the whey last and off the heat. Whey isolate curdles into strings above about 160F if you pour hot coffee straight onto it.

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