Starbucks and Dunkin’ are two of the latest chains to incorporate protein into their menus, offering a range of souped-up beverages.
As someone who first hopped on the “proffee” trend — mixing a protein powder or shake into coffee — when it started gaining traction a few years ago, my interest was piqued.
I’ve been making my own drinks at home to better reap the many benefits of protein while making my morning coffee more satisfying.
However, I was curious to see how the new offerings from Dunkin’ and Starbucks stacked up — and whether they’d replace my at-home recipe.
Naturally, I decided to put them to the test.
First, I stopped at Starbucks.
Starbucks first launched a line of protein-heavy beverages in the fall of 2025.
Along with lattes made using protein-boosted milk, the chain rolled out numerous flavors of protein-packed cold foam, including vanilla, brown sugar, and banana.
A few months later, to kick off the new year, Starbucks introduced two new caramel protein beverages: a caramel protein matcha and a caramel protein latte.
To date, there are eight signature beverages, all of which contain at least 27 grams of protein in a 12-ounce, grande-sized drink. You can also add protein milk or protein cold foam to any other hot or iced coffee drink.
On this visit, I decided to try two protein beverages: an iced protein matcha and an iced caramel protein latte.
First, I tried the protein matcha.
The drink includes milk, classic syrup, matcha, and protein powder, and the grande size contains an impressive 36 grams of protein.
The matcha, which cost me $6.45, was surprisingly great. I found that it tasted just like a regular iced matcha, and I didn’t detect any sort of protein-powder taste.
Unfortunately, I didn’t love Starbucks’ caramel protein latte.
Next, I tried the new iced caramel protein latte, which cost $6.95.
The drink’s ingredient list includes milk, brewed espresso, caramel syrup, and protein powder, and a grande size contains 27 grams of protein.
As someone who used to love Starbucks caramel macchiatos, I was excited by the prospect of enjoying a sweet, rich treat in the morning, all while getting a protein boost.
After just one sip, though, I immediately — and unfortunately — knew this would not be a repeat order. I was greeted with delicious caramel notes, but I also noticed a saccharine, artificial-tasting aftertaste.
I’d compare this latte to grab-and-go protein drinks from the grocery store. For almost $7, I’d hoped the protein powder aftertaste would be nonexistent, and that — like the iced protein matcha — this one would taste more like a regular iced latte.
Next, I headed to Dunkin’.
Dunkin’s new protein menu launched with five signature drinks — including a strawberry protein refresher and almond matcha protein latte — all made using a protein-boosted milk.
All of the drinks contain 15 grams of protein in a 14-ounce hot cup or 24-ounce iced cup. Just like at Starbucks, guests can also add protein milk to other coffee beverages.
To keep things fair, I tried two drinks that seemed similar to what I’d ordered at Starbucks: an iced almond matcha protein latte and a caramel-chocolate protein latte.
Next, I tried an iced almond matcha protein latte from Dunkin’.
I paid $7.99 for the chain’s medium-sized almond iced protein matcha latte, which contains 15 grams of protein.
Dunkin’s recipe contains matcha blend, cane sugar, toasted-almond flavor, and green tea, along with the chain’s new protein-rich milk.
Unfortunately, I didn’t exactly love it. Instead of that green, earthy taste I typically associate with matcha lattes, there was a sharp, tangy note — probably due to the almond flavor — that I found distracting.
Finally, I tried the iced caramel-chocolate protein latte from Dunkin’.
On the other hand, I was impressed by the medium-sized Dunkin’ iced caramel-chocolate protein latte, which contains 15 grams of protein and cost me $7.59.
After my first sip, my eyes grew wide. This one had a similar ingredient list to Starbucks’ caramel protein latte — brewed espresso, caramel-chocolate syrup, and protein milk, with the additions of brown sugar and molasses — but I loved this drink so much more.
Dunkin’s protein latte tasted like a dessert in a cup, and it didn’t have any overly sweet, artificial aftertaste.
If I were to repurchase any of these drinks, it’d be the Dunkin’ latte.
Overall, Starbucks had my favorite protein matcha drink, and Dunkin’ had my favorite protein latte.
Of all the drinks, though, I found the Dunkin’ caramel-chocolate latte to be the tastiest.
Still, I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to buy any of these drinks again — in part because of the price.
I’d prefer to save the extra bucks and make a “proffee” at home with milk, protein powder, Trader Joe’s bourbon vanilla-bean paste, and espresso.
However, if I were out and wanted a quick caffeine and protein boost after a grueling workout session, I’d definitely swing by Dunkin’ and buy that latte as a special treat.
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The post I compared protein drinks from Starbucks and Dunkin’. The winning latte was so good that I couldn’t tell it had protein in it. appeared first on Business Insider.
