Even Starbucks Thinks You Need More Protein
Protein-mania has come for your iced shaken espressos. On Monday, Starbucks announced that it would be adding a lineup of protein lattes and cold foam drinks to their menu. If you’re wondering, what the hell is protein cold foam?, it just so happens to be 2% milk blended with unflavored whey protein. The more you know.
The cold foam comes in a range of flavors like banana, chocolate, matcha, and salted caramel. It can be added to any iced beverage and provides 15 grams of protein to a 16-ounce grande item. The “protein-boosted milk,” on the other hand, can be substituted in any hot or iced drink where milk is part of the recipe. It can also pack up to 36 grams of protein per grande beverage. For reference, a Big Mac from McDonald’s has 25 grams of protein. Interesting!
Starbucks has rolled out a number of promotional videos for their new gym bro-friendly offerings, including a video of Ciara dancing in an elevator with an iced Protein Matcha at her feet. There’s also a review-style video from fitness influencer Joe Bronston, who claims the cold foam doesn’t have the “nasty protein taste” he’s apparently used to. We’ll see about that.
Apparently, that’s not all. Starbucks will launch a ready-to-drink version of its protein milk in grocery and convenience stores in 2026, according to a press release. Hey, at least it’s not another protein dust-covered popcorn.
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