Starbucks Goes all in on Protein: Announces Arrival of New Protein Lattes and Protein Cold Foam to the Menu on Sept. 29
Customers will soon be able to add approximately 15–36 grams of protein per grande beverage to their Starbucks visit
New protein beverages drive Back to Starbucks menu modernization strategy
Starting Sept. 29, Starbucks coffeehouses in the U.S. and Canada will offer Protein Cold Foam alongside new line of Protein Lattes made with Protein-boosted Milk delivering approximately 15 to 36 grams of protein per grande (16 ounce) beverage. These new protein beverages are part of the company’s strategy to drive innovation and modernize its menu.
“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,” said Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks global chief brand officer. “Our new protein beverages tap into the growing consumer demand for protein in an innovative, premium and delicious way that only Starbucks can deliver.”
According to the 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey, 70% of Americans say they are trying to consume protein. For the fifth straight year, protein is the nutrient that most Americans say they are trying to consume, with 8 in 10 Americans prioritizing adding protein to their diet daily.
Starbucks new Protein Cold Foams and Lattes will be available at the end of September. They will come in a variety of flavors, including sugar-free and unsweetened choices and are designed to support customers looking to add protein to their order.
Starbucks® Protein Cold Foam
Tapping into the popularity of cold foam, which grew 23% year-over-year and is used in 1 out of every 7 beverages, customers will be able to order Protein Cold Foam — which adds about 15 grams of protein per grande to any cold beverage.
Starbucks cold foam is a creamy, frothy topping that adds texture and flavor to any cold coffee, tea or Refreshers, creating a delicious, layered drink. Starbucks Protein Cold Foam will come in a variety of flavors including a new banana flavor, vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, chocolate, matcha, salted caramel and brown sugar, as well as plain Protein Cold Foam. Seasonal flavors include pumpkin and pecan.
In addition to the Protein Cold Foam flavors being available on Sept. 29, iced beverages with Protein Cold Foam will be added to the permanent menu, delivering approximately 19–26 grams protein per grande beverage.
In July, Starbucks started testing protein beverages through the Starting 5 innovation program — a program that tests products in five coffeehouses and gathers feedback from baristas and customers before rolling out to more stores. Protein Cold Foams are the first breakthrough innovation built and tested with the Starting 5 approach.
Starbucks® Protein Lattes
Crafted with Protein-boosted Milk, Starbucks Protein Lattes will deliver approximately 27 to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage while maintaining the rich, bold flavor and smooth texture customers know and love. Starbucks will add a variety of Protein Lattes to the permanent menu starting Sept. 29.
Unlocking protein customization
For extra protein, customers will soon be able to customize with protein-boosted 2% milk on any beverage where milk is part of the recipe like Lattes, Iced Shaken Espresso and Coconut Milk Refreshers. When Protein-boosted Milk is customized for a hot or iced latte, it delivers an extra 12–16 grams of protein per grande. With no added sugar or compromise on flavor, Starbucks Protein-boosted Milk will be crafted fresh daily by Starbucks baristas, blending creamy 2% milk with unflavored protein powder.
Starbucks is committed to serving high-quality beverages and food made without high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, flavors or artificial trans-fats with a continued focus on putting customers and flavor first. Protein Cold Foams and Lattes are the latest products developed as part of Starbucks plan to deliver a modern and relevant beverage and food menu. Last month, Starbucks expanded the test of cold brew and matcha beverages made with coconut water and, earlier this year, eliminated sugar from its matcha powder, as well as removed the extra charge for non-dairy milk customizations in November 2024. Learn more here.
