Are you looking to find the best Optimum Nutrition flavors that ACTUALLY taste like what it says? Are you tired of drinking the same flavor you’ve had for the past couple months – or even past year?
Chances are, you answered with a resounding and semi-angry “Yes!”
Luckily for you, I’ve compiled the 5 best Optimum Nutrition flavors available today. And I also added one that you’re might want to avoid. That way, you have better chances of buying the best flavor possible.
I’ve tried almost every flavor Optimum Nutrition has to offer. And these 5 flavors are what I (and many other customers) have found to be the best of the best.
- These flavors taste exactly like what it says. If it’s chocolate, it’ll taste exactly like chocolate. Same goes for the other flavors. This is super rare in protein powders because they never taste like how it’s labeled. But these do!
- These flavors are versatile. By that I mean you can mix them with almost anything, and it’ll almost always turn out fantastic. Whether it be with water, milk, bananas, smoothies, oatmeal, pancakes etc.
- And these flavors are consistent. I’ve bought these flavors multiple times and used them for many months. And they always taste as delicious as the first time I’ve ever tried them.
So if you’ve never experienced drinking an actual good protein powder, here’s your chance.
Optimum Nutrition has the most flavors any company has ever come out with (over 20). So the chances of you buying a horrible tasting protein powder is increased tenfold.
Don’t take the risk.
You don’t have to buy a flavor, try it, taste it, hate it, and wish you could get every penny of your money back.
Nope! Because I’ve already done it all for you with this post.
By the time you finish reading this, you’ll know exactly which flavors taste so good and addicting that you’ll want to hand-write me a Thank You note.
I might be over-exaggerating, but here’s why I’m so sure and confident…
Why Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard?
Optimum Nutrition is the most popular and trusted company when it comes to whey protein and I’ve been using them almost religiously. But not just me…
Millions of people know about it, try it, and almost always come to love it.
And it’s no surprise as to why…
Although they do come out with some strange and disgusting flavors, the quality is like no other. Optimum Nutrition completely dominates the protein powder market in all aspects.
And can be proven with just this picture:
Over 17,000 customer reviews and almost a 5 star rating!
You’ll never find another company with these type of stats.
It’s this reason why I know you’re almost guaranteed to love these flavors.
They’re all backed up by my own experience, by everyone I know, and by the giant amount of customer reviews.
So without further ado, here’s the top 5 best Optimum Nutrition flavors below…
The 5 Best Optimum Nutrition Flavors
#5 – Chocolate Coconut
First on the list is Chocolate Coconut.
Chocolate Coconut has a smooth, creamy milk chocolate taste with a slight hint of coconut. It’s refreshing and not too sweet, and tastes great in both milk and water.
Some say it tastes like the candy Almond Joy. I can see why, but it’s not exactly like it.
The coconut is there but it doesn’t stand out as much as the chocolate.
The chocolate is similar to another Optimum Nutrition flavor – Extreme Milk Chocolate – which happens to be on this list too.
Chocolate Coconut takes the #5 spot for one reason: it isn’t a strong flavor. But it is tasty and it definitely lives up to its name.
If you want to see how it tastes in milk and with a banana, read my full review here .
#4 – Banana Cream
This flavor is not so popular, but Banana Cream is a hidden gem. Not many people know about it, but it tastes so real and authentic.
It’s not too sweet, but sweet enough and has no chalky aftertaste.
This is also great in both milk and water.
Many people have said it tastes like a banana popsicle and banana flavored candy.
However, I find this tastes more like a banana popsicle .
Banana Cream tastes like banana popsicles
Banana Cream is also one of the most versatile flavors. How?
In general, as you know, bananas go great with almost everything. Especially in a protein shake.
So what you can do with this protein powder is mix it with other flavors to create an even better tasting protein shake (I like mixing this with Extreme Milk Chocolate or Delicious Strawberry).
We now dive into the top 3…
#3 – Double Rich Chocolate
Double Rich Chocolate is Optimum Nutrition’s basic chocolate flavor. All companies sell one, but this sets the bar high.
This is not your usual boring chocolate shake. Double Rich Chocolate has a rich chocolatey flavor. The chocolate tastes fantastic and it’s not overbearingly sweet.
The best thing about this flavor is with milk.
What you get is a shake that tastes just like chocolate milk or a chocolate milkshake. People even say it tastes close to Nesquik Instant Chocolate Milk.
Double Rich Chocolate tastes like Nesquik Instant Chocolate Milk
However, some complain it tastes watered down. If that’s the case for you, just add less water (5-6 ounces) and you’re in for a treat.
Most people pour a giant glass of water with only one scoop, but aren’t aware that this will drown the taste.
If you want to see how it tastes in milk and with a banana, read my full review here .
Double Rich Chocolate is a chocolate lover’s dream, but doesn’t compare to what’s next…
#2 – Extreme Milk Chocolate
Yes… Extreme Milk Chocolate. Probably the most talked about flavor of Optimum Nutrition.
But don’t get it confused with Double Rich Chocolate.
This is totally different. This tastes similar, but Extreme Milk Chocolate takes chocolate to another level.
What you can expect from this flavor is a very sweet, authentic milk chocolate.
This chocolate is almost two times as strong as Double Rich Chocolate. And because of how sweet this flavor is, you don’t even need to use milk. Just water will give you the milky taste.
And if you like Hershey’s chocolate, you’ll love this too.
This also tastes like instant hot chocolate. Just mix it with warm water or milk and you are good to go.
Extreme Milk Chocolate tastes like Instant Hot Chocolate
When compared to other chocolate flavors, Extreme Milk Chocolate is legendary. This tastes good with almost anything and I never get tired of drinking it.
If you want to see how it tastes in milk and with a banana, read my full review here .
But out of the 5 best Optimum Nutrition flavors, this next one holds the #1 spot …
#1 – Mocha Cappuccino
Mocha Cappuccino is just as popular as Extreme Milk Chocolate. These are possibly the two best Optimum Nutrition flavors they have to offer.
Mocha Cappuccino has an irresistible chocolate taste with subtle hints of coffee. The coffee tastes unbelievably real (maybe because coffee is a listed ingredient).
But just like Extreme Milk Chocolate, you only need water for it to taste incredible.
However, if you’re not a coffee drinker, don’t worry…
I’m not one either, but the mocha is too delicious to not drink it. I could down 3 of these shakes a day.
When you drink this, you won’t even know it’s protein powder. It tastes very much like a bottle of Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino .
Mocha Cappucino tastes like Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino
No other flavor from Optimum Nutrition comes close to this. It is their crown jewel. If you want see how it tastes with milk, a banana, and peanut butter, just read this post .
DISCLAIMER: This list is only opinion. What taste good to most people, may not taste good to you. You may like a flavor most people hate, and hate a flavor most people like. You can only find what’s best by trying it yourself. This list is only to show some of the most well-liked flavors.
Honorable Mentions (2 Extra Flavors)
Now before I show what’s the one flavor you want to avoid, there are two more flavors you should know about that did not make this list…
Cookies And Cream
Cookies and Cream has received many mixed reviews. But I think this is probably the most unique flavor Optimum Nutrition offers. Why? Because this flavor actually contains “cookies, ” to give it a real Cookies and Cream feel.
And this actually tastes like Cookies and Cream Ice Cream. But some found this to have an awful chemical-like aftertaste. While others found this to taste spectacular.
I personally have found it tastes great, but tastes bad after a few weeks. I explain more in my full review here (where I also show you pictures of the “cookies”).
Delicious Strawberry
Delicious Strawberry is another flavor that gets mixed reviews. Many people like this flavor. And many people hate it.
Some say it tastes like medicine and that it’s super artificial. While others think this tastes like a strawberry milkshake. But the main complaint I found was that it gets boring rather quickly. And I absolutely agree.
But if you mix this shake with milk and a banana, you will quickly fall in love with it. You will get a real strawberry banana milkshake in your hands instantly.
The ONE Optimum Nutrition Flavor to AVOID
Now that you know which flavors taste the best, here’s the worst one of them all…
This flavor I am about to show you has received many bad reactions and hateful comments. And of course, it tastes horrible .
Vanilla Ice Cream
Vanilla Ice Cream is Optimum Nutrition’s basic vanilla flavor and has changed over the years.
I have heard numerous people say it’s nauseating to drink.
Although I don’t have such a reaction, it’s worth noting because I never heard someone say this about the other flavors.
Vanilla Ice Cream also has a weird unnatural taste to it. It is disgustingly sweet and has a thick consistency.
This has plenty of high-star reviews, but beware…
Most reviews on this product are from years ago when it first came out. The new one is not the same.
Vanilla Ice Cream is usually everyone’s first flavor. Most people writing reviews haven’t tried other flavors to give this one a good review. There are plenty of other flavors out there that put this one to shame.
So if I were you, I would steer clear from Vanilla Ice Cream. If you are looking for a vanilla flavor, do not get this one. Instead, go with Optimum Nutrition’s French Vanilla Creme which is much better. Or pick one from the 5 Best Optimum Nutrition Flavors list.
Final Words
If you made it this far, you have discovered what 5 flavors are truly worth buying. And the one flavor to stay away from (unless you are brave).
To recap, here they are again:
Each flavor tastes fantastic, is authentic, and stands out from all the others.
By now, you have a great sense of what flavor you’re interested in. And are ready to get your new tub of protein.
I wonder how happy you’ll be when you finally try one of these flavors. Because every flavor on this list is bound to make you fall in love with it.
For me, my first flavor was actually Extreme Milk Chocolate. And I was hooked by the first shake. But Mocha Cappuccino still remains my #1.
(REMEMBER – stay away from Vanilla Ice Cream)
P.S. If you liked these flavors, you might like this Peach Cobbler Protein Powder even more (Review ).