Starbucks is making a major move to tap into America’s growing protein obsession. The coffee giant will launch new Starbucks Protein Lattes and Protein Cold Foam at all U.S. and Canadian locations starting September 29, offering customers up to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage.
This menu addition comes as 70% of Americans say they are trying to consume more protein, making it the top nutrient people actively seek to add to their diets for five straight years. The new protein beverages represent part of Starbucks’ strategy to modernize its menu with innovative products that meet current customer demands.
The protein-packed cold foam and lattes will be permanent menu additions, not limited-time offerings. Baristas will create the protein-boosted drinks by blending unflavored protein powder with 2% milk, maintaining the rich flavor customers expect while doubling the protein content of standard beverages.
Key Takeaways – Starbucks Protein Lattes
- Starbucks launches Protein Lattes and Cold Foam nationwide on September 29 with up to 36 grams of protein per drink
- The new beverages come in multiple flavors including banana, vanilla, chocolate, and seasonal options like pumpkin
- This permanent menu addition responds to the fact that 70% of Americans actively try to consume more protein daily
Details of Starbucks’ New Protein Lattes and Cold Foam Launch
Starbucks will launch its new protein beverages on September 29, 2025, adding both Protein Lattes made with protein-boosted milk and customizable Protein Cold Foam to permanent menus across the U.S. and Canada. These beverages deliver between 15 to 36 grams of protein per grande drink, with multiple flavor options and customization features available.
Release Date and Availability
The new protein beverages launch on September 29 at Starbucks locations throughout the United States and Canada. These items will be added as permanent menu options rather than limited-time offerings.
Starbucks tested these protein beverages through their Starting 5 innovation program before the full rollout. The program tested products in five coffeehouses and gathered feedback from both baristas and customers.
The Protein Cold Foams represent the first breakthrough innovation built and tested using the Starting 5 approach. This testing phase occurred in July 2025, allowing the company to refine the products before the nationwide launch.
What Are Protein Lattes and Protein Cold Foam?
Protein Lattes are coffee drinks made with protein-boosted milk that maintains the rich flavor and smooth texture of traditional lattes. The protein-boosted milk gets crafted fresh daily by Starbucks baristas, who blend creamy 2% milk with unflavored protein powder.
Protein Cold Foam serves as a creamy, frothy topping that customers can add to any cold beverage including coffee, tea, or Refreshers. The cold foam creates a layered drink experience while adding significant protein content.
Cold foam has grown 23% year-over-year and appears in 1 out of every 7 beverages at Starbucks. The protein version builds on this popularity while meeting customer demand for higher protein options.
Protein Content and Ingredients
The protein beverages deliver substantial protein amounts across different options:
Protein Cold Foam:
- Adds approximately 15 grams of protein per grande beverage
- Iced beverages with Protein Cold Foam contain 19-26 grams of protein total
Protein Lattes:
- Deliver 27 to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage
- Made with protein-boosted 2% milk and unflavored protein powder
Customization with Protein-Boosted Milk:
- Adds an extra 12-16 grams of protein per grande when used in lattes
- Contains no added sugar
- Made fresh daily by blending 2% milk with protein powder
The beverages contain no high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, flavors, or artificial trans-fats. Starbucks maintains its commitment to high-quality ingredients while delivering the 15 to 36 grams of protein range across different drink sizes and combinations.
Customization Options
Customers can customize their protein experience through multiple options and flavor varieties.
Protein Cold Foam Flavors:
- Plain Protein Cold Foam
- Vanilla and sugar-free vanilla
- Chocolate
- Matcha
- Salted caramel
- Brown sugar
- New banana flavor
- Seasonal options: Pumpkin and pecan
Milk Customization:
Customers can add protein-boosted 2% milk to any beverage that includes milk in the recipe. This works for drinks like Iced Shaken Espresso and Coconut Milk Refreshers.
Sugar-Free Options:
The menu includes sugar-free and unsweetened choices for customers managing their sugar intake. The protein-boosted milk contains no added sugar while maintaining full flavor.
The customization system allows customers to add protein to existing favorite drinks or try the new dedicated Protein Lattes for maximum protein content.
Flavor Varieties and the Growing Protein Craze
Starbucks’ new protein beverages feature eight distinct flavors including a new banana option, while tapping into America’s growing protein obsession where 70% of consumers actively seek more protein in their diets. The launch reflects broader menu changes under new leadership focused on modernizing offerings.
Core Flavors and Seasonal Options
The new Protein Cold Foam lineup includes eight flavor varieties designed to appeal to different taste preferences. Core flavors include vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, chocolate, matcha, salted caramel, and brown sugar.
Starbucks introduces a completely new banana flavor specifically for the protein line. This marks the first time the coffee chain has offered banana-flavored cold foam.
Seasonal options complement the permanent menu with pumpkin and pecan flavors launching alongside the September 29 rollout. The pumpkin option aligns with traditional fall pumpkin spice season timing.
Customers can also choose plain Protein Cold Foam for those preferring unflavored protein additions. Each grande beverage with Protein Cold Foam adds approximately 15 grams of protein.
Health-Conscious Trends and Protein Demand
The protein craze continues to dominate American dietary preferences with significant consumer demand driving menu innovations. According to the 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey, 70% of Americans actively try to consume more protein.
Protein ranks as the top nutrient Americans prioritize for the fifth consecutive year. Eight out of ten Americans focus on adding protein to their daily diet routines.
Protein beverages represent a growing market segment as consumers seek convenient ways to meet nutritional goals. Starbucks’ protein-boosted milk contains no added sugar while maintaining flavor quality.
The company crafts protein-boosted milk fresh daily by blending 2% milk with unflavored protein powder. This approach delivers 12-16 extra grams of protein per grande when customized in lattes.
Role of CEO Brian Niccol and Menu Modernization
Brian Niccol leads Starbucks’ strategic shift toward menu modernization with innovative product offerings. The protein line represents part of the company’s “Back to Starbucks” initiative under his leadership.
Global Chief Brand Officer Tressie Lieberman emphasizes creating “innovative, relevant, and hype-worthy products” that resonate with customers. This approach reflects Niccol’s focus on premium, differentiated offerings.
The Starting 5 innovation program tests new products in five locations before broader rollouts. Protein Cold Foams represent the first major breakthrough developed through this testing approach.
Menu modernization efforts also include recent changes like eliminating extra charges for non-dairy milk and removing sugar from matcha powder. These updates complement the protein expansion as part of comprehensive menu evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
The new Protein Lattes offer up to 36 grams of protein per grande size and will become a permanent menu item. Customers can customize these drinks with protein-boosted milk and various flavors.
What are the nutritional benefits of the new Protein Lattes at Starbucks?
Starbucks Protein Lattes deliver around 27 to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage. This protein content comes from unflavored whey protein powder added to the drink.
The high protein content supports muscle building and repair. Protein also helps people feel full longer after drinking their coffee.
These drinks provide a convenient way to add protein to a morning routine. The protein comes without adding artificial flavors that might change the coffee taste.
How does the protein content in Protein Lattes compare to other Starbucks beverages?
Regular Starbucks lattes contain only about 12-18 grams of protein from milk. The new Protein Lattes nearly double this amount with their 27-36 gram protein content.
Standard cold brew coffee has less than 1 gram of protein. Even milk-based drinks like cappuccinos only provide 8-12 grams of protein per serving.
Customers can also customize any beverage with protein-boosted 2% milk, which adds an extra 12 to 16 grams of protein per grande beverage. This option works for lattes and shaken espressos.
Will the Protein Lattes be a permanent addition to the Starbucks menu or a seasonal offering?
Starbucks announced that its cafes in the U.S. and Canada will permanently offer Protein Lattes starting Sept. 29. These drinks will not be removed after a limited time period.
The company tested these products before making them permanent menu items. This testing helped ensure customer demand would support long-term availability.
Some flavors may be seasonal, like pumpkin varieties. The core Protein Latte options will remain available year-round.
Can customers customize the Protein Lattes with different types of milk or add-ins?
The Protein Lattes come with protein-boosted 2% milk as their base. Customers can request different milk alternatives, though this may affect the total protein content.
Standard Starbucks customizations remain available. People can add extra shots of espresso, sugar-free syrups, or adjust the sweetness level.
The protein boost works best with milk-based drinks. Non-dairy alternatives may not blend as well with the whey protein powder used in these beverages.
Are there any dietary restrictions or allergens to be aware of in Starbucks Protein Lattes?
The Protein Lattes contain whey protein, which comes from dairy products. People with milk allergies should avoid these drinks entirely.
Whey protein is not suitable for vegans or people following strict plant-based diets. The protein-boosted milk also contains regular dairy ingredients.
People with lactose sensitivity may experience digestive issues. The added protein powder and dairy milk create a higher concentration of lactose than regular coffee drinks.
How much will the Protein Lattes cost and will they be available in all Starbucks locations?
Starbucks plans to launch these protein drinks starting Sept. 29 in U.S. and Canada locations. The company has not released specific pricing information for these new beverages.
Protein drinks typically cost more than regular lattes due to added ingredients. Customers should expect prices similar to other specialty Starbucks beverages with premium add-ins.
Availability may vary by location during the initial rollout. Most corporate-owned stores will likely offer these drinks before licensed locations receive them.
