Crankt Protein Shake Choc Honeycomb 400mL
Crankt Protein Shake Choc Honeycomb 400mL: independently scored 9.6/10 on Protein Score and 8.3/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
20.8g protein per serve · 180 cal · 10.4g sugar · 340mg sodium · 400mL serve.
Overview
Crankt's Choc Honeycomb shake is a familiar sight in the supermarket fridge, offering a quick protein fix without the shaker. It's a straightforward proposition: a chilled, flavoured milk-style drink that packs a genuinely useful protein punch for its size. The whole 400mL bottle serves up 20.8g of protein, which is a significant step up from the 3-4g per 100mL you'd find in a standard chocolate milk. Total sugar sits at 10.4g for the entire drink, all of which is naturally occurring lactose from the milk ingredients, not added sucrose. It matches their Premium Protein Shake Chocolate on both protein and sugar, making flavour the main decider between the two. We find the ingredient list reflects the trade-offs required for a smooth, shelf-stable drink. The protein comes from milk solids and caseinate, a slow-digesting milk protein. To keep it palatable without sugar, it uses sucralose. A suite of stabilisers and an emulsifier are doing the work to prevent separation and give it that classic thick shake texture, which is a common feature in the ready-to-drink category. This bottle lands as a pure convenience play. It's for the person who wants a post-workout protein source or a filling afternoon snack without messing with powders and shakers. The inclusion of guarana and ginseng adds a mild energy-support angle, setting it apart from simpler milk-only drinks.
Protein Score: 9.6/10
This is the kind of grab-and-go bottle you'd reach for when you need a protein hit but have forgotten your shaker. Landing a 9/10, its protein density is strong for the ready-to-drink format and sits above the category average. The 20.8g of protein in the full 400mL serve is a genuinely useful amount. Protein per calorie is also robust, with 11.6g for every 100 calories consumed. The protein source is a blend of milk solids and milk protein powder (caseinate), which is a common and effective choice for these types of drinks, offering a slower release than whey isolate. For a desk-side snack or a post-gym top-up, it delivers the core protein job effectively. It provides a similar protein hit to a standard scoop of many powders, but with the convenience of a pre-mixed, chilled format.
Clean Score: 8.3/10
A list of 15 ingredients, including six additives, places this shake in the moderately processed camp. The resulting Clean Score is 8.2/10, which trails the typical product in this category, reflecting the trade-offs made for flavour, texture, and shelf life without relying on added sugar. The main drivers of the score are the artificial sweetener sucralose and a cluster of stabilisers (Cellulose Gel, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan) and an emulsifier. These are common tools in the RTD playbook, used to create a smooth, consistent texture and prevent the cocoa and protein from settling at the bottom. While it does contain several additives, it's free from artificial colours and preservatives. As a product of the Australian brand Crankt, it offers a transparent look at what it takes to make a low-sugar, high-protein flavoured milk that can sit ready-to-go in a supermarket fridge.
Wins
- A solid 20.8g of protein in a single 400mL bottle.
- Contains no added sugar, with only 10.4g from milk.
- Delivers 11.6g of protein for every 100 calories.
Watch outs
- Uses the artificial sweetener sucralose to achieve low sugar.
- Contains six additives, including multiple stabilisers and an emulsifier.
- Sodium is moderate at 340mg per bottle.
Ingredients
Water, Milk Solids, Milk Protein Powder (Caseinate), Cocoa Powder (1%), Stabilisers (Cellulose Gel, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan, Sodium Polyphosphates), Emulsifier (Mono & Diglycerides & Fatty Acids), Flavour, Dietary Fibre (Inulin), Guarana (Caffeine), Salt, Sucralose, Ginseng Extract.
15 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- How much caffeine is in this shake?
- This shake contains a small amount of caffeine from guarana extract, which is listed in the ingredients. The exact amount isn't specified on the label, but it's typically included for a mild stimulant effect rather than a pre-workout-level kick. It's less than you'd find in an espresso or a dedicated energy drink, but something to be aware of if you're sensitive to caffeine or drinking it late in the day. We'd treat it as a small bonus, not a primary energy source.
- Is the sugar in this shake a weaker nutritional fit?
- The 10.4g of sugar in a 400mL bottle comes entirely from the milk ingredients, not from added sugar. This natural sugar is lactose. Many other flavoured milks contain high amounts of added sugar, often sucrose, which this product avoids by using the artificial sweetener sucralose instead. For shoppers tracking their added sugar intake specifically, this is a stronger choice than many of its mainstream rivals. However, the total sugar content is still a factor to consider in your daily diet.
- How does this compare to a protein powder shake for recovery?
- With 20.8g of protein per bottle, this Crankt shake provides a comparable protein dose to a standard scoop of many whey powders. The protein source here is mainly caseinate, which digests more slowly than whey, offering a sustained release of amino acids. This makes it a very effective option for post-workout recovery or as a filling snack. The main difference is convenience: this is pre-mixed and ready to drink, saving you the effort of blending powder and water.
- Where can I buy the Crankt Choc Honeycomb protein shake?
- Crankt protein shakes are widely available in the chilled drinks section of major Australian supermarkets. This Choc Honeycomb flavour is typically stocked at both Coles and Woolworths. You may also find it in some convenience stores and petrol stations that have a larger refrigerated snack selection. While it's common in these physical stores, the brand may also sell products directly from their own website, which is worth checking for multi-buy deals.
- Does this shake need to be kept in the fridge?
- Yes, this is a chilled product and should be kept refrigerated for the best taste and to maintain its quality. It's sold in the fridge aisle of supermarkets alongside other flavoured milks and ready-to-drink beverages. While it might be safe for a short period in a gym bag before you drink it, it's not a long-life or shelf-stable UHT product that can be stored in the pantry before opening. We'd recommend drinking it cold for the intended flavour and texture.