Starbucks Just Launched Protein Drinks — We Tried Them All

Squeezing a little extra protein into your routine just got easier. 

Starbucks’ highly anticipated protein drinks officially launched in stores today, and Food & Wine got an early taste of the entire lineup. Among them are seven signature drinks — all made with the chain’s new Protein-Boosted milk, batched daily with “premium” whey powder — plus a nearly endless array of personalized options. 

In an announcement shared with Food & Wine, Starbucks revealed the rollout of seven new drinks: an Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha, an Iced Vanilla Cream Protein Latte, a Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew, a Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha, a Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, a Protein Matcha, and a Vanilla Protein Latte. Any drink with milk can also be customized with Protein-Boosted milk or topped with high-protein cold foam as part of this permanent menu addition. 

A grande-sized Protein-Boosted latte offers up to 16 grams of protein, while Starbucks’ latest cold foam delivers roughly 36 grams. That’s comparable to six large eggs or a handful of beef jerky — making it a low-effort, high-reward swap. (For reference, the Mayo Clinic generally recommends 0.8 grams of protein per 2.2 pounds of body weight for adults.)

Everything to know about Starbucks’ protein lattes 

Food & Wine first caught wind of the protein cold foam in June, when Starbucks hinted at the recipe during its Leadership Experience conference. Details gradually emerged later this summer, as the Seattle-based company announced a nearly indistinguishable protein boost for most drinks. 

I won’t lie: Protein powders are usually a textural nightmare for me. Mix their thick consistency with an artificially saccharine taste and notorious chalkiness, and you’ve hit my personal worst-case scenario. I’ve tried at-home “proffee” before — and thoroughly disliked it — so I started this tasting with very low expectations.

Consider me pleasantly surprised. 

Chalkiness is virtually non-existent in both the latte and cold foam, which have a thick mouthfeel similar to the chain’s usual 2% or whole milk. It tastes just like a typical latte, with an added touch of sweetness. (In today’s announcement, Starbucks also reveals plans to release this high-protein milk in stores later this year.)

While Starbucks also insists that the powder is flavorless, I noticed a slight creaminess in the latte. (Think a soft, rounded finish like melted ice cream that’s barely detectable.) This is especially true in the Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha, which drinks with a smoothie-like creaminess. 

Protein as part of a larger strategy

Starbucks is currently undergoing a significant overhaul in menu offerings and corporate structure. 

On Thursday, the company announced the closure of hundreds of U.S. locations as part of a sweeping $1 billion restructuring plan, according to Reuters. This includes its iconic Seattle flagship and roastery, a Reserve location that moved to unionize in 2022. A Starbucks spokesperson told Reuters that individual stores’ unionization was “not a factor in the decision-making process.” 

Approximately 900 non-retail partner positions were eliminated, as CEO Brian Niccol writes that the company will “continue to carefully manage costs and stay focused on the key areas that drive long-term growth.”

That isn’t the only shakeup initiated under newer leadership: In February, Starbucks reduced its menu options by about 30%, hinting that new innovations (such as this month’s Protein Lattes) are on their way. 

“As we continue to get back to Starbucks, we’re focused on modernizing our menu with innovative, relevant, and hype-worthy products that will resonate with our customers,” Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks’ global chief brand officer, says in today’s release. “Our new protein beverages tap into the growing consumer demand for protein in an innovative, premium, and delicious way that only Starbucks can deliver.”

Will this protein push land with Starbucks consumers at large? We’ll be keeping an eye out.