Alani Nu Protein Shake Review: Are Fit Shakes the Best on the Market?

Most of us know Alani Nu for its unique, refreshing sugar-free energy drinks. Whether you’re drinking one at work, before the gym, or on the road, they hit the spot. But are their protein shakes among the best on the market?

Alani Nu’s tropical energy drink flavors are eerily accurate and quite sweet. They almost make you feel like you’re lounging at a luxury resort with a piña colada, when in reality you’re drinking a gastroenterologist’s nightmare at your corporate desk, gearing up for leadership’s next pizza party.

• Alani Nu Hawaiian Shaved IceAlani Nu · 200 mg Shark Score 77
• Alani Nu Cosmic StardustAlani Nu · 200 mg Shark Score 85
• Alani Nu Juicy PeachAlani Nu · 200 mg Shark Score 91

Alani Nu has also blown up in the fitness world, especially with TikTok influencers, fit girls, and “rizzed-up” jabronis with curly hair. These invaluable contributors to society are always promoting the brand, and you can find the drinks at nearly any gas station or grocery store.

As someone with a sensitive stomach, I tend to avoid carbonated energy drinks, though I still have the occasional Alani Nu, Celsius, or Monster. I’ve shifted toward uncarbonated drinks and tea, but I still love a Hawaiian Shaved Ice from time to time.

I’m a sucker for protein shakes, though, especially ones with intriguing flavors. You can only drink so many vanilla and chocolate Muscle Milks, which taste closer to chalk than a shake. So when I spotted these at Costco, I fought my way through the crowd to grab a pack.

Anyone trying to eat more protein knows how hard it is to hit your goals; very few people can eat six chicken breasts and a half-dozen eggs in a day. That’s why shakes have been such a hit in fitness for decades.

Enough fluff. I tried four flavors: Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, Munchies, and Fruity Cereal. We’re Costco guys, so each one gets a score AND either a “BOOM” or a “DOOM” (if you know, you know).

Classic Vanilla: 6.7, DOOM

Vanilla is as plain as protein shakes get. Alongside chocolate, it’s a classic that’s hard to screw up. I was excited, and candidly, it was underwhelming. The flavor was VERY artificial and tasted like Premier Protein and Muscle Milk, which isn’t a compliment. It was noticeably sweeter, though, and mixed well with frozen fruit (try berries or mango). Nothing special, but maybe slightly better than the competition, with the exception of Fairlife.

Cookies & Cream: 7.6, BOOM

If you don’t like Oreos, I’ll help you pack. They’re the best processed cookie, end of discussion, and if a Cookies & Cream protein shake doesn’t excite you even a little, I don’t know what to tell you. This one is great: sweeter than the vanilla, with hints of cream-filled cookie. It’s subtle and hits the spot. Lots of protein brands mess this flavor up, so my expectations were low, but I was impressed and would probably buy it again.

Munchies: 8.2, BOOM

When I first saw this flavor, I was a bit overwhelmed. Chocolate chip cookie, pretzels, and… is that nacho cheese? It took some deduction (and Reddit) to confirm the mysterious golden sauce on the pretzel is caramel. Now this was riveting. I started picturing a salted caramel protein shake and got way too excited.

Anyone who’s been to Starbucks knows the Iced Caramel Macchiato is an elite drink. Sure, it has nearly half your daily recommended sugar, but it’s one of the best iced coffees you can get from a chain. Munchies was excellent. I had my first one after lifting, and the next day I poured one over ice with two shots of espresso for an iced coffee with 20 grams of protein. An Iced Caramel Macchiato without the guilt.

Fruity Cereal: 8.6, BOOM

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I was absolutely delighted by this one. I’d been hunting it down for months like a detective tracking a serial killer (this one’s for you, Justin). This is life as a man in his mid-twenties: getting excited about kitchen appliances and cereal-flavored protein shakes.

I assumed it would taste like the milk at the bottom of a bowl of Froot Loops, which is simply the best milk in the world. If you never drank it as a kid while watching Looney Tunes or playing Mario Sunshine, I’m truly sorry. This shake was exactly that, and I couldn’t have been more satisfied. It’s on par with Fairlife shakes, and I’d absolutely buy it again. Highly recommended if you like fruity cereal.

Bottom line

Alani Nu shakes can compete with the big names, and their creative flavors are a refreshing change from the plain ones we’re used to. Overall, I think Fairlife shakes are a bit better, but they don’t have the same variety.

Want to try them? Browse the Alani Nu store on Amazon and support Caffeine Shark.