When the weather turns cold, a shaker of protein and water loses a lot of its appeal, and that's usually when people start skipping shakes altogether. Turning your protein into a hot chocolate instead solves that problem nicely, giving you something warming to look forward to on a cold morning or evening rather than something you're forcing down because you know you should.

The method is straightforward, but the order you do things in matters more than you'd think. Warm your milk gently in a saucepan or the microwave first, getting it hot but not boiling, since boiling milk can cause whey protein to clump and go a bit stringy when you add it in. Once the milk is warm, take it off the heat and whisk in a scoop of chocolate or plain flavoured Whey Protein Isolate along with a spoonful of cocoa powder if you're using a plain powder. Whisking rather than stirring helps stop clumps forming and gives you a frothier finish.

If you want a richer, more indulgent version, Complex Protein works nicely here too, since its slower digestion profile makes it feel a bit more like an evening treat than a pre-workout drink. The texture tends to come out a touch thicker and creamier than a straight whey version, which suits hot chocolate well since you're generally after something more substantial than a thin, watery drink at this time of day.

Sweetness is worth adjusting to taste rather than following a fixed amount, since flavoured protein powders vary a lot in how sweet they already are. If your powder is already on the sweeter side, you might not need to add anything extra. If it's more neutral, a small amount of a natural sweetener like monk fruit or allulose stirred in while the milk is still warm will dissolve properly rather than leaving grainy bits at the bottom of your mug.

For extra flair, a dash of cinnamon or a pinch of chilli powder stirred through gives you a Mexican-style hot chocolate that's a nice change from the usual. A few marshmallows on top if you're feeling indulgent won't hurt anything either, since this is meant to be a treat as much as a functional drink. If you want something a bit more textured, froth the milk before adding the protein powder using a milk frother or just a vigorous whisk, then pour it in slowly while whisking to keep that frothy top layer intact.

This is a genuinely useful swap for the colder months if you find yourself skipping your usual shake because the idea of a cold drink doesn't appeal when it's freezing outside. It takes maybe two extra minutes compared with a standard shake, and it turns something functional into something you'd actually choose to drink on a miserable winter evening, which makes it a lot easier to stay consistent with your protein intake when the temperature drops.