Clear Protein Drinks
A Growing Market Trend
Consumers today are demanding more from their beverages – great taste, convenience and of increasing importance, functional benefits. As consumers look for higher nutritional value from their drinks, clear protein beverages are on the rise. Unlike traditional creamy shakes, these drinks offer a light, refreshing experience that’s easy to digest while also delivering high-quality protein. This format allows for high-protein claims in new beverage categories, such as sparkling waters , protein sodas and juice-based drinks.
According to Mintel, high-protein claims in beverage launches have surged, with 5% of all US drink launches in 2025 making a high/added protein claim, up from just 2% five years ago. Additionally, drinks surpassed foods in protein-related claims for the first time in five years. This trend is fueled by innovations in clear soluble proteins, which allow brands to create transparent, flavorful and stable formulations.
Challenges in Formulating Clear Protein Beverages
Achieving clarity and stability in protein drinks is not easy. Formulators must address several technical considerations:
Protein Selection: Whey protein isolate (WPI) is the preferred choice for clear beverages due to its high solubility, low fat and lactose, and excellent heat and acid stability. But not all WPIs perform the same. Functional differences in processing can impact clarity, dispersibility and flavor. Selecting a WPI optimized for low pH is essential.
Sensory Profile: Consumers expect a clean, refreshing taste without chalkiness or off flavors. Foaming issues during mixing can also affect consumer perception for powdered mixes. Find the right WPI that delivers a clean flavor and rapid dispersion with minimal foam to ensure a smooth, refreshing drinking experience.
pH and Heat Processing: Low pH and thermal treatments are challenging for most proteins and can cause denaturation of the protein. Choosing a protein that remains acid-stable and heat-tolerant is critical.
Why Alternative Proteins Fall Short: Other protein sources such as milk protein, casein and soy protein present significant challenges in low pH systems. They often denaturize in acidic conditions, leading to cloudy beverages. Their lower solubility and heat stability also make them unsuitable for pasteurized or hot-fill processes in RTDs, frequently introducing off-flavors and textures that require masking.
See Hilmar 9020 In Action
Hilmar 9020: Engineered for Clarity and Performance
Hilmar 9020 is a 90% whey protein isolate optimized for low‑pH beverages, delivering clarity, stability, and superior sensory performance for protein fortification.
Clear in Solution: Hilmar 9020 delivers exceptional clarity in acidic environments, making it ideal for clear ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-mix (RTM) beverages, protein waters and functional sports drinks. Unlike standard proteins that can cause haze or sediment, Hilmar 9020 remains transparent even after thermal processing, ensuring a visually appealing product.
Superior Dispersibility: One of the biggest challenges in protein beverage formulation is achieving rapid hydration without clumping or excessive foam. Hilmar 9020 disperses quickly and uniformly, reducing mixing time. Its low foaming properties enhance consumer experience in RTM applications where clarity and convenience are key.
Exceptional Flavor: Hilmar 9020 offers a clean flavor profile that complements fruit-forward and refreshing beverage concepts. This allows formulators to minimize masking agents and maintain a light, crisp taste.
Heat & Acid Stability: Clear protein beverages often undergo pasteurization or hot-fill processes, which can destabilize proteins. Hilmar 9020 is engineered to withstand these conditions without compromising clarity or texture. Its acid solubility and heat tolerance make it perfect for RTD products.
Applications Beyond Beverages
Hilmar 9020 isn’t just for clear drinks and protein waters. Its versatility also extends to:
- Sports Nutrition: Sports gels and shots.
- Healthy Living: High-protein gummies, gelatin desserts and carbonated protein drinks.
- Healthy Aging: Nutrient-dense RTD beverages designed for older consumers seeking convenient protein solutions.
Why Choose Hilmar 9020
In addition to its advanced functional properties, Hilmar 9020 delivers superior nutritional benefits. It has low lactose and low fat to support clean-label claims and appeal to health-conscious consumers. With complete whey proteins and an excellent amino acid profile, this product is easily digested and provides all the benefits expected from dairy proteins. Hilmar 9020 enables brands to meet the increasing consumer demand for refreshing, high-protein beverages without sacrificing clarity or taste.
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