Starbucks Protein Cold Foam & Lattes: An Honest Look at What to Expect September 29
Key Takeaways
- 🚀 Launching September 29 - Starbucks officially adds protein options to permanent menu
- 💪 Serious protein content - Drinks pack 15-36 grams of protein depending on your order
- 🍌 New banana flavor - First time Starbucks introduces banana as a core flavor
- 🔧 Full customization - Add protein foam or protein milk to almost any drink
- ❄️ Cold drinks only - Protein options specifically designed for iced beverages
What Exactly Is Starbucks Launching on September 29?
So Starbucks is finally jumping on the protein bandwagon - and honestly, it's about time. On September 29 (which just happens to be National Coffee Day, clever timing there), they're rolling out two main things: Protein Cold Foams that you can add to any cold drink, and a line of Protein Lattes made with what they're calling "protein-boosted milk" .
The cold foam is what interest me most - it's been one of their most popular customizations since they introduced it back in 2018. Actually, did you know one out of every seven Starbucks drinks now gets ordered with cold foam? That's insane growth . The protein version will work exactly like the regular stuff - a fluffy topping that sits on top of your iced coffee, cold brew, refresher, or whatever else you're drinking.
The protein lattes are made different though. Baristas will actually blend unflavored protein powder with 2% milk right in the store each day . This ain't some pre-made concoction - which is good cause that means they can adjust it fresh. Both options are suppose to be permanent menu items, not just some limited time thing .
How Much Protein Are We Actually Talking Here?
Alright, let's get to the important stuff - the numbers. Depending on what you order, your gonna get somewhere between 15 and 36 grams of protein in your drink .
Here's the breakdown straight from Starbucks:
- Just the Protein Cold Foam added to a grande drink: About 15 grams of protein
- Any iced drink with Protein Cold Foam (grande size): 19-26 grams of protein
- Protein Latte (grande size): 27-36 grams of protein
That's actually pretty decent compared to most protein shakes out there. A typical protein shake has what, 20-30 grams? So the lattes are definitely competitive. The cold foam alone adds enough protein to make it worth while if your just looking for a little boost without going all in.
What surprised me is that they're using unflavored whey protein powder . This is smart cause it means the protein itself won't taste chalky or overpowering like some supplements do. Whey blends pretty smooth into milk, so the texture should be decent too.
The Complete Flavor Lineup: From Banana to Pumpkin
Now for the fun part - all the flavors they're launching with. Starbucks isn't holding back here with just one or two options. They've got a whole range :
New permanent flavors:
- Banana (brand new for Starbucks!)
- Vanilla
- Sugar-Free Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Matcha
- Salted Caramel
- Brown Sugar
- Plain
Seasonal flavors:
- Pumpkin (available now with the fall menu)
- Pecan (likely for winter)
The banana flavor is what really interest me - Starbucks rarely does banana flavors, and when they do, it's usually limited time. This might be their first permanent banana offering if I'm remembering correctly. The sugar-free vanilla is a nice touch for people watching their sugar intake, though I wonder how well it'll mix with the protein base.
Seasonal flavors getting the protein treatment is genius really. Pumpkin spice protein cold foam? That's going to sell like crazy during fall .
How to Customize Your Drink With Protein Options
Here's where things get interesting for us regular Starbucks tweakers. You won't just be limited to the menu items - Starbucks says you'll be able to customize pretty much any milk-based drink with the protein options .
The main ways to add protein:
Add protein cold foam to any cold drink - This is the easiest option. Just ask for it on top of your iced coffee, cold brew, refresher, or even iced tea. Adds about 15g protein .
Swap regular milk for protein-boosted milk - Any drink that has milk as part of the recipe can be made with the protein milk instead. This includes regular lattes, iced shaken espressos, and even coconut milk Refreshers . This adds an extra 12-16 grams of protein to a grande drink .
Table: Starbucks Protein Customization Options
I'm already thinking about the best combinations - protein cold foam on an iced shaken espresso with the protein milk would probably give you the biggest protein kick without to much extra volume.
Why Starbucks Is Betting Big on Protein Right Now
Let's talk about why Starbucks is doing this now. It ain't just random - protein is having a major moment. According to market data, about a third of U.S. consumers now say they specifically look for high-protein options, up from just 24% three years ago .
There's two main groups driving this trend: the fitness crowd (gym folks trying to build muscle) and all the people taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic who need more protein to maintain muscle mass while losing weight . It's actually pretty smart targeting when you think about it.
The protein market has exploded recently - high protein drinks on the market jumped 122% from 2020 to 2024 . And the protein shake sector alone is now a $6 billion market . Everyone from General Mills with their Cheerios Protein to PepsiCo with upcoming liquid protein launches are getting in on this .
For Starbucks, this is part of CEO Brian Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" turnaround plan to modernize the menu and bring excitement back to their offerings . After a rough patch with sales slowdown last year, they're looking for innovations that'll get people talking and coming back more often.
When Seasonal Meets Protein: Pumpkin and Beyond
The timing of this launch is no accident either. Starbucks just had their best-ever sales week in U.S. company-operated locations thanks to the return of pumpkin spice and other fall drinks . Now they're adding protein options right as everyone's already excited about seasonal menu.
Pumpkin protein cold foam is going to be huge - I can feel it. Imagine your favorite PSL but with an extra 15+ grams of protein. That's actually pretty appealing for people who want the seasonal treat but also want some nutritional benefit.
The pecan protein foam they mentioned for seasonal options suggests they'll likely have winter seasonal protein options too. Maybe even peppermint or caramel brulee protein foam later in the year?
What's clever is they're launching the core lineup on September 29, but the seasonal protein options are already available now . So if you want to try pumpkin protein cold foam, you might not have to wait until the end of the month.
What to Expect: Taste, Texture, and Value
Okay, let's get real about what we can expect from these drinks. Based on my experience with protein supplements and Starbucks previous innovations, here's my predictions:
Taste: The unflavored whey protein base should be fairly neutral . The flavors will likely be the same syrups they already use, so if you like vanilla syrup in your drinks now, you'll probably like the vanilla protein version. The new banana flavor is the wild card - I hope it's not to artificial tasting.
Texture: This is the big question. Protein powders can sometimes make drinks gritty or to thick. But Starbucks claims they're blending it fresh with milk daily , which should help avoid clumping. The cold foam might be slightly thicker than regular cold foam, but probably not dramatically different.
Value: They haven't announced pricing yet , but based on their current upcharge structure, I'm guessing protein cold foam will add $1.50-$2.00 to your drink, and protein milk might be an extra $1.00-$1.50. For 15+ grams of protein, that's actually not bad compared to most protein shakes that cost $3-4 each.
I tried the banana cold foam when they were testing it in five stores earlier this year , and it was actually pretty good. The banana flavor was noticeable but not overwhelming, and the texture was smooth without being to gritty. It definitely didn't taste like a typical protein shake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the protein options cost?
Starbucks hasn't announced official pricing yet . Based on current upcharges, expect $1.50-$2.00 for protein cold foam and $1.00-$1.50 for protein milk swaps. The full protein lattes will likely cost slightly more than regular lattes.
Are there any dairy-free protein options?
Not initially. The protein powder is being mixed with 2% milk , and all the current formulations appear dairy-based. Hopefully they'll add plant-based protein options later for those with dairy restrictions.
Can I get protein options in hot drinks?
The protein cold foam is specifically for cold drinks. However, you can probably get the protein-boosted milk in hot drinks since it's just milk with protein powder added . The protein might hold up fine in hot beverages.
How does the protein content compare to protein shakes?
Pretty favorably. A grande protein latte at 27-36 grams matches or exceeds most ready-to-drink protein shakes. Even just the cold foam addition at 15 grams provides a decent protein boost.
Will the protein powder make my drink taste chalky?
They're using unflavored whey protein powder , which typically blends smoothly and has minimal taste. It shouldn't be chalky if mixed properly, though texture may vary by store and how well baristas mix it.