Does Coca-cola make a protein shake? Yes, Here's How

December 19, 2025 •

3 min read

For more than a decade, The Coca-Cola Company has been strategically broadening its product portfolio to meet evolving consumer demands for healthier options. This aggressive diversification, especially into the dairy and nutritional space, has led to a frequently asked question: 'Does Coca-cola make a protein shake?'. The answer, perhaps surprisingly, is yes, but under a different brand name entirely.

Quick Summary

The Coca-Cola Company produces protein shakes through its ownership of the Fairlife brand, which manufactures the popular Core Power line of high-protein, lactose-free milkshakes.

Key Points

Acquisition of Fairlife: The Coca-Cola Company owns the Fairlife brand, which includes the popular Core Power protein shake line.
Ultra-Filtered Milk: Fairlife uses a special process to make its milk, concentrating protein and calcium while removing lactose and reducing sugar.
Portfolio Diversification: This move into protein drinks is part of a larger strategy by Coca-Cola to adapt to changing consumer tastes and expand beyond soft drinks.
Core Power Product Line: Core Power offers high-protein, lactose-free shakes in various flavors and protein levels, with standard and Elite options.
Viral 'Protein Coke': The viral 'Protein Diet Coke' is a fan-created trend, not an official Coca-Cola product.
Market Success: The acquisition has proven highly successful, with Fairlife surpassing $1 billion in annual sales, solidifying Coca-Cola's position in the health beverage market.

The Core Power Connection

No, you won't find a Coca-Cola branded protein shake alongside the iconic soda on store shelves. The Coca-Cola Company's entry into the protein shake market is a direct result of its 2020 acquisition of Fairlife, a dairy company known for its innovative products. Fairlife, which Coca-Cola previously entered into a joint venture with in 2012, is the parent company behind the successful Core Power line of protein shakes. These shakes are a mainstay in grocery stores and convenience channels, appealing to health-conscious consumers and athletes alike.

How Fairlife's ultra-filtration works

What sets Fairlife's products, including Core Power, apart is their unique ultra-filtration process. This patented technology filters milk to concentrate its natural nutrients, resulting in a product with a higher protein and calcium content than traditional milk, while also significantly reducing lactose and sugar. This process makes Fairlife and Core Power shakes a popular choice for those with lactose sensitivities and anyone seeking to maximize their protein intake per serving without extra sugar.

Coca-Cola's strategic diversification

The beverage industry has seen a long-term shift away from sugary carbonated drinks towards health and wellness products. Recognizing this trend, Coca-Cola has actively pursued a diversification strategy for years, moving into areas like water, juices, and coffee, and making significant acquisitions. The complete purchase of Fairlife was a strategic move to secure a strong position in the growing dairy and protein shake market. This allows Coca-Cola to appeal to a broader customer base and hedge against declining soda sales.

Core Power protein shake varieties

Fairlife's Core Power line comes in a variety of flavors and protein levels to suit different needs. The standard Core Power protein shakes typically contain 26 grams of high-quality, lactose-free protein per bottle, sourced from the ultra-filtered milk. For those with more demanding protein needs, Fairlife offers Core Power Elite shakes, which pack an impressive 42 grams of protein per bottle. Flavors often include Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, and Strawberry Banana.

The viral 'protein coke' trend

In addition to its official products, Coca-Cola's Fairlife brand was central to a viral TikTok trend involving a homemade 'protein diet coke'. This unendorsed mix involved combining a vanilla-flavored protein shake (often Core Power) with Diet Coke. While the trend gained widespread attention, it is important to note that this was a consumer creation, not a product or recipe developed by The Coca-Cola Company. The resulting beverage is not an official product, and its nutritional profile depends entirely on the ingredients used.

Comparison: Core Power vs. Competitors


Feature	Core Power (Fairlife)	Muscle Milk (PepsiCo)
Company Ownership	The Coca-Cola Company (since 2020)	PepsiCo (since 2019 via Gatorade)
Primary Ingredient	Ultra-filtered milk	Milk protein isolate, whey protein concentrate
Lactose Content	Lactose-free	Contains milk derivatives, typically not lactose-free
Protein per Serving	26g (standard) / 42g (Elite)	Varies by product, typically 25-32g
Market Position	Strong growth and market share leader in convenience stores	Legacy competitor, formerly category-forging brand
Unique Selling Point	Superior taste and texture from real ultra-filtered milk	Wide variety of flavors and formulations, including powders

The future of Coca-Cola's protein portfolio

With Fairlife having surpassed $1 billion in annual sales since its acquisition, The Coca-Cola Company's investment in protein has proven highly successful. The company continues to expand its production capacity for Fairlife products to meet growing demand. The success of Core Power highlights Coca-Cola's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and leverage its distribution and marketing power to turn smaller, innovative brands into market leaders. This marks a clear long-term commitment to offering nutritional and functional beverages alongside its traditional sparkling soft drink business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the famous red and white logo does not grace a protein shake bottle, The Coca-Cola Company is a significant player in the protein drink market through its ownership of the Fairlife brand and its highly successful Core Power line. This strategic move is part of the company's broader adaptation to modern health trends and consumer demand for nutritious, functional beverages. By acquiring and integrating brands like Fairlife, Coca-Cola effectively expanded its portfolio into a thriving segment, proving that its business is about more than just soda.

Visit the official Fairlife website for more information on their Core Power protein shakes

Frequently Asked Questions

No, The Coca-Cola Company does not make protein shakes under the classic Coca-Cola brand name. Instead, it owns the Fairlife company, which produces the Core Power line of protein shakes.

Core Power is a brand of high-protein, lactose-free milkshakes produced by Fairlife, a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company. They are designed as a muscle recovery drink for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Fairlife uses an ultra-filtration process that removes much of the sugar and lactose while concentrating the protein and calcium, resulting in a product with significantly higher protein content than traditional milk.

No, Coca-Cola did not invent the shakes. The company became a joint venture partner with Fairlife in 2012 and later acquired full ownership in 2020, bringing the existing Core Power brand into its portfolio.

Coca-Cola expanded into the protein shake market as part of a strategy to diversify its product lineup. With consumers seeking healthier beverage options, the company made strategic acquisitions to grow its presence in health and wellness categories.

No, regular Coca-Cola and other standard soft drinks from the company contain zero grams of protein.

Fairlife Core Power protein shakes are widely distributed and can be found in most major grocery stores, convenience stores, and health food stores across the United States.

No, the 'Protein Diet Coke' trend is a viral concoction created by social media users mixing a Fairlife Core Power shake with Diet Coke. It is not an official recipe endorsed by The Coca-Cola Company.