Food & Beverage

Starbucks understands the protein assignment

Photo: Starbucks

October 1, 2025 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

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Understanding more customers are looking to add more protein to their diets Starbucks has added a line of protein-boosted lattes, milks and cold foam drinks to the menu.

The 2024 Food & Health survey by the International Food Information Council reported that the number of people hoping to consume more protein rose from 59% in 2022 to 71% in 2024.

Starbucks is the U.S. and Canada are hoping to help fill that desire with protein-boosted drinks and customization options made with premium whey. Some options contain up to 36 grams of protein per 16-ounce grande size, according to a company press release.

Protein-enhanced drinks include:

• Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha: Made with unsweetened matcha and classic syrup, topped with Banana Protein Cold Foam. A grande contains 24 grams of protein.
• Iced Vanilla Cream Protein Latte: An iced latte topped with Vanilla Protein Cold Foam. A grande contains 26 grams of protein.
• Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew: Starbucks signature Cold Brew Coffee with vanilla syrup, topped with Chocolate Protein Cold Foam. A grande contains 19 grams of protein.
• Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha: Available hot or iced, this drink combines unsweetened matcha and sugar-free vanilla syrup with protein-boosted milk. A grande contains 28 to 36 grams of protein.

Starbucks also highlighted that later next year, it plans to launch a ready-to-drink version of the protein beverages in grocery and convenience stores.

About Cherryh Cansler

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Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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