Lower Sugar Starbucks Protein Coffee Orders

Disclaimer: I am NOT sponsored by Starbucks (although at this point I really should be). I just like fun drinks. I’m a silly simple girl who likes silly little beverages.

Before we get into this article, I just wanna be real with you guys. I tried two drinks from this lineup and the drinks themselves tasted fine but I got the shits shortly after (no dairy allergy). So I can’t in good conscience say I recommend them.

To be fair, I don’t normally drink protein. I also think the upcharge for the protein isn’t worth it because my drinks were like eight bucks??? I would probably stick to just adding a protein drink into a Starbucks coffee instead.

Anywayyyyyy

Starbucks recently released their protein lineup. So let’s break down this menu!

What customizations are available?

You can add protein to your Starbucks drink by either adding protein-boosted milk into your drink or topping your drink with protein cold foam.

What is the protein at Starbucks?

The protein at Starbucks is a whey protein powder.

What is protein-boosted milk?

Starbucks protein-boosted milk is made with 2% milk and protein powder. The baristas that I’ve spoken to at various locations have told me that 2% milk is blended with protein powder, poured into a larger pitcher, and then topped off with more 2% milk (layered).

What is protein cold foam?

The protein cold foam is made with the normal ingredients in Starbucks cold foam (nonfat milk and syrup of choice) plus three scoops of the whey protein powder. One scoop of whey is about one tablespoon.

How much protein is added to the drink?

The protein-boosted milk adds an additional 12-16g of protein to the drink.

The protein cold foam adds an additional 15g of protein to your drink.

Can the protein-boosted milk be made with alternative milks?

At the time I am writing this article, the protein-boosted milk can NOT be made with alternative milks.

How much sugar is in the protein powder at Starbucks?

There are 0g of sugar in the protein powder at Starbucks.

Let’s start with the new lineup of protein cold foam drinks.

Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha

The banana cream protein matcha is just a matcha latte (three scoops matcha powder, three pumps classic syrup, 2% milk) with banana protein cold foam.

I would lower the sugar in this drink by reducing the pumps of classic syrup from three to one (for a grande). Personally, I do not like the Starbucks matcha latte with classic syrup. I would opt for one pump of brown sugar syrup instead. I also think that while the banana flavor is very subtle, the brown sugar flavor pairs better with it. I would also request light cold foam.

Here is exactly what I would say at the window: “Hi, may I please have a grande iced banana cream protein matcha with one pump classic syrup and light cold foam”.

Iced Vanilla Cream Protein Latte

The iced vanilla cream protein latte is the only drink in the protein cold foam drink lineup that I think tastes like protein. You know that slightly chalky taste? Thats what this drink kind of tastes like at the end.

There really isn’t too much wiggle room here with this drink. I think the only way to really lower the sugar here would be to request light vanilla cream cold foam. Of course there wouldn’t be any reason to order this drink in that case, but it’s your money lol.

Here is exactly what I would say at the window: “Hi, may I please have an iced vanilla cream protein latte with light cold foam”.

Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew

The chocolate cream protein cold brew is a cold brew with vanilla syrup and chocolate protein cold foam. This is probably my favorite Starbucks protein coffee drink.

I would lower the sugar here by reducing the amount of vanilla syrup from two pumps to one OR just replacing the vanilla syrup with sugar free syrup. I would also opt for light cold foam.

Here is exactly what I would say at the window: “Hi, may I please have a grande iced chocolate cream protein cold brew with one pump vanilla syrup and light cold foam”.

Now let’s look at the new lineup of protein lattes.

Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha (hot or iced)

A sugar-free vanilla protein matcha is a matcha latte made with sugar free vanilla syrup and protein boosted milk.

I do not have any modifications here and would order the drink as is!

Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte (hot or iced)

The sugar-free vanilla protein latte at Starbucks has two shots of espresso, protein-boosted milk and sugar free vanilla syrup.

I do not have any modifications here and would order the drink as is!

Protein Matcha (hot or iced)

The protein matcha is a matcha latte with three scoops matcha powder, three pumps classic syrup, and protein-boosted milk.

I would lower the sugar in this drink by reducing the amount of classic syrup from three to one.

Here is exactly what I would say at the window: “Hi, may I please have a grande iced/hot protein matcha with one pump classic syrup”.

Vanilla Protein Latte (hot or iced)

The vanilla protein latte is a latte with two shots of espresso, four vanilla syrup, and protein-boosted milk.

I would lower the sugar in this drink by reducing the amount of vanilla syrup from four to two. This is also the same thing as the sugar-free vanilla protein latte (mentioned above) with different syrups. So honestly, I would just get that instead.

Here is exactly what I would say at the window: “Hi, may I please have a grande iced/hot vanilla protein latte with two pumps vanilla syrup“.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article about Lower Sugar Starbucks Protein Coffee Orders!

Starbucks, if you happen to come across this article, please stop playing around and JUST CARRY MORE SUGAR FREE SYRUP OPTIONS. Give the people what they want!

Further Research

If you liked this article, you may like my article about The Best Lower Sugar Starbucks Fall Drinks. Or, check out my article Sugar Free Options At Starbucks.

You could explore sugar free options at other popular chains like Dunkin Donuts, Dutch Bros, Sonic and Chick Fil A.