Post-Workout Recovery Drink . . . Is it really necessary??

Well . . . the long and short of it is YES.    I want to be as transparent here as possible.   This is NOT a ploy to get you to buy the P90X Recovery Drink.   If you have your own recipe (possibly orange juice & whey protein powder in the right ratio) and it works, that is great - just as long as you do it and it has the proper "simple" carb to protein ratio.   Many people believe they should have a "protein shake" after a workout.  This is not true.  You need a blend of simple carbs & protein in a ratio that is about 4:1.   Why do I use the P90X Recovery Drink?  I happen to think that the P90X recovery drink, when blended with ice tastes exactly like an orange push-up from when we were kids.  Or an orange dreamcycle.  It tastes GREAT!  Believe me, if it did not taste as good as it does, I would not use it.  (perfect example - Team Beachbody also has P90X meal replacement bars and while I think they are good, I think Clif Builder bars taste better, so that is what I use)   Ok, on to the WHY it is important: (This is taken from the P90X drink as an example)
Recover faster and see better results!
This great-tasting shake is specially designed to provide the precise nutrients you need to recover quickly after intense workouts. P90X Results and Recovery Formula offers a unique mix of:

Simple and complex carbohydrates for optimum glycogen replenishment*
A high Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) blend to provide the critical building blocks for rapid muscle resynthesis*
Vitamins, including antioxidants, to help reduce muscle soreness and assist in repair and growth*
Studies show that with proper nutrition during the first hour following a workout you can increase your body's ability to recover more than 100%. The key component to maximizing this "window of opportunity" is a formulation of approximately 4 parts carbohydrates to 1 part protein.

So I believe a recovery drink AFTER the extreme workouts is necessary.   I would be happy to answer any further questions about it.  Again, if you can come up with your own creation that is great.  Just make sure you do it to maximize your results and speed up recovery!
Have a great day!
Chris