Is there a protein shake at Starbucks? A Guide to Their New High-Protein Drinks

January 4, 2026 •

2 min read

In September 2025, Starbucks made a monumental shift toward offering more nutritious options by launching a new lineup of protein-focused beverages and customizable add-ons. This means that customers can now easily find and order a protein shake at Starbucks, or add a powerful protein boost to their existing favorite drinks.

Quick Summary

Starbucks now offers dedicated protein lattes and protein cold foams made with protein-boosted milk, along with bottled Koia plant-based protein shakes.

Key Points

New Protein Menu: In late 2025, Starbucks launched a permanent menu of protein-rich lattes and cold foams.
Two Customization Options: You can add protein to many drinks by substituting standard milk with Protein-Boosted Milk or by topping a cold drink with Protein Cold Foam.
Variety of Drinks: The menu features hot and iced Protein Lattes and Cold Foam Drinks in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and matcha.
Bottled Alternatives: For a dairy-free, pre-packaged option, Starbucks carries Koia plant-based protein shakes.
High-Protein Foods: Pair your drink with items like the Eggs & Cheddar Protein Box or Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap for a complete meal.
Sugar-Free Options: Some protein drinks, such as the Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, contain no added sugar.
Revamped Offerings: The new protein options replace the previously discontinued and unpopular Protein Blended Cold Brews from 2018.

The New Era of Protein at Starbucks

Finding a simple protein shake at Starbucks used to be challenging, but that changed significantly in September 2025 with the introduction of new protein-rich options. These additions are permanent menu items, replacing the earlier, less popular Protein Blended Cold Brews from 2018. The core of the new offerings includes Starbucks® Protein-Boosted Milk and Starbucks® Protein Cold Foam.

In-Cafe Protein Drink Options

Protein Lattes: These lattes use protein-boosted milk (a mix of 2% milk and whey protein). A grande size can contain 27-36 grams of protein and is available hot or iced in multiple flavors. Options include Vanilla, Sugar-Free Vanilla, Protein Matcha, and Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha.

Protein Cold Foam Drinks: Protein Cold Foam can add approximately 15 grams of protein to any cold drink. Featured drinks with this foam include the Iced Vanilla Cream Protein Latte, Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew, and Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha.

Bottled and Ready-to-Drink Options

For a convenient protein option, Starbucks offers bottled drinks in their refrigerated section.

Koia® Protein Shakes: These are plant-based, dairy-free shakes with about 18g of protein per bottle and come in flavors like Vanilla Bean and Cacao Bean.
Milk2Go Chocolate Protein Shake: Available in certain regions, such as Canada.

How to Customize Your Order for Extra Protein

You can easily add protein to many existing Starbucks drinks:

Request Protein-Boosted Milk: Substitute standard milk with protein-boosted 2% milk in any hot or iced drink to add 12–16 grams of protein in a grande size.
Add Protein Cold Foam: This adds protein to any cold drink, like iced coffees, teas, or Refreshers.

High-Protein Food Pairings

Pairing your protein drink with a high-protein food item can make for a more substantial meal. Options include the Eggs & Cheddar Protein Box, Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap, and Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites.

Comparison of Starbucks Protein Drinks


Drink Option	Serving Size (Grande)	Protein (approx.)	Calories (approx.)	Sugar (approx.)
Iced Vanilla Protein Latte	16 fl oz	26g	390	25g
Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte	16 fl oz	27-29g	*Varies	No added sugar
Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha	16 fl oz	24g	430	36g
Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew	16 fl oz	19g	330	26g
Koia Vanilla Bean Shake (Bottled)	12 fl oz	18g	190	4g
Protein Cold Foam Add-On	Per Grande	+15g	*Adds calories	*Varies by flavor

Note: Nutritional information can vary. Consult the official Starbucks website or mobile app for the most accurate data.

Conclusion

If you're wondering "is there a protein shake at Starbucks?", the answer is definitively yes, and more. With the introduction of Protein-Boosted Milk and Protein Cold Foams in late 2025, Starbucks now offers several ways to enjoy a protein-enhanced drink. You can choose from dedicated Protein Lattes, cold brews with Protein Cold Foam, or bottled Koia shakes. These options, along with high-protein food items, make Starbucks a go-to for a protein boost. For more information, you can refer to the official Starbucks press release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Starbucks does not sell loose protein powder for customers to add themselves. Instead, baristas use a special whey protein blend to create the Protein-Boosted Milk and Protein Cold Foams for the new menu drinks.

A Protein Latte is made with protein-boosted milk throughout the entire beverage and provides a higher total protein count, up to 36 grams. Protein Cold Foam is a creamy, protein-infused topping added to cold drinks, providing about 15 grams of extra protein.

Yes, you can order a bottled Koia protein shake, which is plant-based and dairy-free. The new Protein-Boosted Milk and Protein Cold Foam are made with whey protein and are not dairy-free, but Koia is a great alternative.

The new protein offerings come with varying sugar levels, and some are higher than others. Starbucks does offer dedicated 'Sugar-Free Vanilla' protein latte options, and the unflavored Protein Cold Foam has no added sugar. It is important to check the nutritional information for each specific drink.

The new Protein Lattes are priced as menu items, while customizing a drink with Protein Cold Foam or Protein-Boosted Milk incurs an additional charge. As of late 2025, adding cold foam costs about $2 and substituting milk costs about $1, though prices can vary by location.

No, the Protein Blended Cold Brew was discontinued around 2018. It has since been replaced by the superior new lineup of Protein Lattes and Protein Cold Foams, which have better taste and texture.

The new protein drink lineup is available year-round at Starbucks stores across the U.S. and Canada. However, availability may vary by location, especially for seasonal flavors of protein cold foam.

Beyond beverages, Starbucks offers high-protein food options like the Eggs & Cheddar Protein Box, Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap, and Kale & Mushroom Egg Bites.