Starbucks' Best Protein Drink On The Menu Isn't A Cold Brew Or Shaken Espresso

Starbucks joined a wave of chains in 2025 when it launched a new range of protein drinks aimed at health-conscious consumers. In an effort to capitalize on the booming trend, the company started using protein-boosted milks and foams in its specialty lattes, shaken espressos, cold brews, and more. There are some delicious options but the best one, in our opinion, is a creamy, fruity, and somewhat polarizing choice: The Iced Banana Protein Cream Matcha.

A Tasting Table expert tried and ranked several Starbucks protein drinks and this matcha was their standout favorite. The Vanilla Protein Cream Shaken Espresso and Vanilla Protein Cream Cold Brew were close runners up, but they just weren't as complex or interesting. Our tester loved how the banana and matcha flavors played off each other and mellowed out the whey. The texture was also delightfully creamy and it was very easy to drink, making it it more memorable than either of the coffee drinks. 

One of the reasons the Iced Banana Protein Cream Matcha works so well is that the protein comes from the cold foam, rather than the milk. Starbucks typically uses a specially fortified 2% milk for its protein drinks, which can be a little cloying. Keeping it to the cold foam really allows the natural flavors of the matcha to shine, while still packing 23 grams of protein per grande size. The only hint of banana comes from the foam too, which helps with the balance further, and it allows for some customization.

Banana can be a hit-or-miss flavor but there are plenty of other fans of the matcha online, if social media is anything to go by. One Reddit user said they were "obsessed" with the drink, calling the flavor "perfect". People seem to particularly appreciate the creaminess and how subtle the banana flavor is. Some have even compared it to a dessert. A TikTok user said, "As a banana cream pie lover and a banana bread lover, this tastes like both of those combined."

Even customers who aren't huge fans of the protein menu seem to enjoy the Iced Banana Cream Protein Matcha. A Reddit user said, "I actually really like the banana matcha. The protein kind of gets washed out because the cold foam is still made with original vanilla sweet cream." If you're not a matcha person, the cold foam apparently goes well with chai too. You can also customize the drink. Some people like to remove the sugar syrup that's added, while others sub in vanilla or order it with almond or oat milk.

If banana really isn't your thing, our tester still enjoyed the Vanilla Protein Cream Shaken Espresso and Vanilla Protein Cream Cold Brew. Both were mild and sweet, which would probably suit a wider range of palates. Here is more on Starbucks' protein cold foams and lattes, as well as a comparison with the protein range from Dutch Bros. One thing you won't be short on is options.