Starbucks High-Protein Drinks Review: What You Need to Know Before Ordering

Nina Kessler

October 4, 2025

5

min read

Last Update -

October 4, 2025 7:00 AM

⚡ Quick Vibes

READ THIS FIRST Before Ordering The New High-Protein Starbucks Drinks

Alright, besties. Before you pull up that mobile order and drop seven bucks on Starbucks’ new protein drinks, you need to read this breakdown. I went full mad scientist and tried all 11 of their new protein coffees so you don’t have to end up sipping something that tastes like regret with a splash of whey.

This wasn’t just a taste test. I tracked the calories, sugar, and protein content of every drink, hot and iced, sugar-free and full-sugar. And y’all, some of these are lowkey fire. Others? Straight chaos in a cup.

Let’s get into it.

First Things First: What's the Hype?

Starbucks just dropped a bunch of protein-packed drinks marketed for the health-conscious, gym-going, meal-skipping crowd. They come in matcha or espresso bases, hot or iced, and some even include a new protein cold foam on top.

We’re talking drinks with 14 to 36 grams of protein, depending on size. Sounds great, right? Except, some also come with up to 27 grams of sugar in a tall. That’s nearly two Snickers bars. So yeah, choose wisely.

1. Sugar-Free Iced Vanilla Protein Latte

Protein: 29g (grande)
Calories: 200
Sugar: 9g
Price: Around $6.50

Not gonna lie, this one surprised me. Smooth texture, decent vanilla flavor, and barely any protein chalkiness. Tasted slightly chocolatey, which was weird but not unpleasant. It does need more ice though. Probably sat too long during pickup. Still, I’d get this again.

Rating: 7 out of 10
Verdict: One of the best sugar-free options. It’s giving Premier Protein but actually enjoyable.

2. Sugar-Free Vanilla Matcha Protein Latte (Iced)

Protein: 36g
Calories: 250
Sugar: 12g

This one was creamy, slightly grassy like matcha should be, and somehow less bitter than expected. I don’t even like matcha like that, and I liked this. Definitely smoother than the espresso versions.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Verdict: If you're a matcha fan or just matcha-curious, this is worth a try.

3. Sugar-Free Vanilla Matcha Protein Latte (Hot)

Protein: 22g (tall)
Calories: 180
Sugar: 11g

Listen, this one shocked me. It was my favorite out of all 11 drinks. Warm, comforting, lightly sweet without being overwhelming. The kind of drink you sip while romanticizing your life on a cloudy day.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Verdict: Get the hot version. It’s cozy, low sugar, and high protein. What more do you want?

4. Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte (Hot)

Protein: 22g (tall)
Calories: 180
Sugar: 11g

A solid choice. Tasted creamy and filling, without any weird texture. Honestly, the hot sugar-free drinks are hitting better than the iced ones. Espresso-based, but not overpowering.

Rating: 8 out of 10
Verdict: Cozy, smooth, satisfying. Low key a comfort drink.

5. Banana Protein Matcha Latte

Protein: 19g (tall)
Calories: 330
Sugar: 25g

Just… no. I thought banana and matcha would be cute. It wasn’t. This one was hard to swallow. Syrupy sweet with an artificial banana vibe that clashed hard with the matcha. It’s giving cough syrup energy.

Rating: 2 out of 10
Verdict: If you're into pain, sure. Otherwise skip it.

6. Full-Sugar Vanilla Protein Latte

Protein: 22g (tall)
Calories: 220
Sugar: 22g

I was expecting a difference from the sugar-free version. There wasn’t one. Taste was nearly identical. So why spend more sugar budget for zero gain in flavor?

Rating: 5 out of 10
Verdict: Just get the sugar-free version. Same taste, fewer regrets.

7. Iced Vanilla Protein Latte with Cold Foam

Protein: 22g (tall)
Calories: 220
Sugar: 22g

The cold foam adds a milkshake-like texture, which is fun. But it also amps up the sugar. Taste-wise, it reminded me of a protein shake my partner makes, which is a good thing, but I wouldn’t crave it regularly.

Rating: 6 out of 10
Verdict: Tasty, but not game-changing. Only worth it if you're craving foam.

8. Matcha Protein Latte (Full-Sugar)

Protein: 36g (tall)
Calories: 300
Sugar: 27g

Now this one had a redemption arc. After the banana disaster, I was ready to hate this. But it tasted good. Still sweet, still a sugar bomb, but the flavor was balanced.

Rating: 7 out of 10
Verdict: Tasty but too sweet for me. If you don’t mind the sugar, go for it.

9. Chocolate Protein Cold Brew

Protein: 19g
Calories: 330
Sugar: 26g

It tastes like chocolate milk. Legit. But again, you’re drinking dessert. And my body was screaming by this point. If you’re sensitive to caffeine or sugar, beware.

Rating: 6 out of 10
Verdict: Tasty but comes with a sugar crash waiting to happen.

10. Iced Matcha Protein Latte (no syrup)

Protein: 36g
Calories: 300
Sugar: 27g

This one was decent. Better than the banana version. I’m starting to think matcha just works better with this protein blend than espresso. Still, 27 grams of sugar is a lot.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Verdict: If you're not watching sugar, it's a solid choice.

11. Iced Vanilla Cream Protein Latte with Cold Foam

Protein: 22g
Calories: 210
Sugar: 22g

As a vanilla lover, this one hit right. It had that sweet foam on top and a light vanilla taste. Definitely dessert-adjacent, but I enjoyed it.

Rating: 7 out of 10
Verdict: A treat. Not an everyday drink, but a fun reward after leg day.

What Should You Actually Order?

If you're trying to stay on track with your goals or avoid sugar overload at 8 a.m., the sugar-free versions are absolutely the way to go. They give you the same caffeine kick and protein power without spiking your blood sugar.

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