The Green Siren has officially joined the protein-maxxing movement.
Starbucks’ cafes in the U.S. and Canada now offer Protein Cold Foams, along with a line of Protein Lattes made with protein-boosted 2% milk.
The chain says its new, macronutrient-packed drinks come in a “variety of flavors,” including sugar-free and unsweetened choices, made with unflavored whey protein powder.
The Protein Cold Foam as a customization adds about 15 grams of protein to any cold beverage; iced drinks with Protein Cold Foam offers approximately 19 to 26 grams of protein per grande drink; and Protein Lattes delivers around 27 to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage.
Back in June, Starbucks confirmed to TODAY.com that it was testing a banana protein cold foam in five stores, so we can assume the trial went well.
The chain says Protein Cold Foams were the first “breakthrough innovation” built and tested through its Starting Five program which aims to modernize its menu.
At the time, the chain revealed that it would also be available in other flavors like chocolate in the future. Well, the future is now, and there are plenty more flavors to choose from — including pumpkin spice, which, by the way, returned on Aug. 25.
The coffee giant is following in the footsteps of other food companies who have been stuffing protein into everything from frozen pizza to ice cream, candy bars to lemonade, and water to popcorn.
Starbucks’ Protein Cold Foam Flavors
This creamy, frothy, protein-packed topping, which can be added to cold coffees, teas or Refreshers, will come in the following flavors:
- Banana (new)
- Vanilla
- Sugar-Free Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Matcha
- Salted Caramel
- Brown Sugar
- Plain
- Pumpkin (seasonal)
- Pecan (seasonal)
Starbucks’ New Protein Drinks
These are the new macronutrient-rich drinks Starbucks added to its menu:
Protein Cold Foam Drinks
- Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha
- Iced Vanilla Cream Protein Latte
- Iced Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew
Protein Lattes
The following drinks are available either iced or hot, and contain about 27 to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage:
- Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha
- Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte
- Protein Matcha
- Vanilla Protein Matcha
How Protein Customization Works
Customers can customize any beverage that has milk as part of its recipe, like lattes and shaken espressos, with protein-boosted 2% milk. Protein-boosted milk will add an extra 12 to 16 grams of protein per grande beverage.
How Do Starbucks’ Protein Drinks Taste?
I was able to taste four of Starbucks protein-filled drinks ahead of their launch.
First, I sampled the Iced Chocolate Cream Cold Brew, which was phenomenal. I was expecting to taste those off flavors typical of those powdered supplements, but it actually just tastes like a really good mocha drink.
As for the Iced Protein Matcha And Iced Protein Vanilla Latte, you can’t really taste that there’s protein added to them, but that’s because the other flavors are so strong. The only difference might be a thicker mouthfeel.
Lastly, in the Iced Banana Cream Matcha, the foam was a clear winner. I would describe it as scrumptious. I don’t love it with the matcha, but it would go great on top of an Iced Protein Vanilla Latte or an Iced Chocolate Cream Cold Brew.
“OK I love this,” TikToker Alexis Frost says in her review of the Iced Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew. “Perfect amount of creamy, it’s very chocolaty, it doesn’t taste like protein, you can still taste the coffee, which I love.”
But there are plenty of people online who were not fans of the new menu items.
“from a Starbucks barista: the protein powder tastes soooo bad, don’t buy it when it comes out,” reads the caption of one TikTok. One commenter described the drinks as “literally just adult baby formula,” and another said they have “the worst aftertaste.”
