I'm not usually a big fan of protein shakes, or other shakes that you have to put dried powder in then mix with fluid. More often than not, it doesn't mix evenly and you get this semi-clumpy mixture with variable taste, which I just can't stand.
However! I've started actually putting some effort into developing a technique for mixing, and I think I've landed on something that makes a pretty even mixture and also is pretty convenient to do on the go (like in the office). This should work for protein powder, meal replacement shakes, or anything else powdered.
The only piece of actual equipment I've been using is a shaker with a mixing ball. Basically just a plastic bottle, and a metal wire curved into the shape of a ball:
(Image from https://www.amazon.com.au/Protein-Supplement-Blender-Shaker-Bottle/dp/B0BWTTFVWY)
Disclaimer: I have not purchased or endorse the displayed product; image is for reference only.
Tip: My shaker has measurement markings on the side; this makes the technique a bit easier to do, but it's not required once you get the hang of it.
On to the steps! This is assuming you're mixing about one scoop / 100g of powder into 500ml of fluid.
- Add roughly 200ml of your chosen liquid; water, milk, whatever.
- This is where the shaker measurement markings come in useful, but you can use an external measuring container, and once you get a rough idea of how much fluid that is you can mostly eyeball it anyway.
- Add your scoop or sachet of powder.
- Add the mixing ball.
- Close the lid (make sure it's tight!) then give the bottle a vigorous shake
for about 30 seconds.
- This gets most of the powder at least somewhat wet, although the result will usually be more of an uneven slurry. Too much fluid at once tends to make the powder clump and never get mixed.
- Open the lid, add the rest of the fluid.
- Close the lid again, give the bottle another vigorous shake for another 30 -
45 seconds.
- This extra fluid should now get the shake to the consistency it should be, instead of a thick paste.
- Leave the shake for about 10 minutes.
- This helps the extra fluid permeate to all the last holdouts of unmixed powder.
- If you prefer your shakes cold and have easy access, this is a good time to stick it in the back of the fridge.
- After 10 minutes, give the shake a final shake for about 15 seconds.
- Ready to go!