Starbucks Leans Into Wellness (2025): Coco Matcha, Coco Cold Brew & High-Protein Cold Foam

Editorial note: Not medical advice; nutrition can vary by size and customization.

What’s new (and why now)

Starbucks is testing two coconut-water–based drinks—Coco Matcha and Coco Cold Brew—in ~400 U.S. stores and rolling out a protein cold foam (~15 g protein) as part of a strategy to court health-minded consumers and rebuild traffic with higher-margin modifiers. The pivot is a pillar of the company’s 2025 turnaround under CEO Brian Niccol. Barron'sAbout StarbucksRestaurant Dive

The drinks at a glance

• Coco Matcha: Coconut water over ice, topped with unsweetened Matcha Cold Foam. A grande test spec lists ~230 calories and 11 g sugar. About Starbucks

• Coco Cold Brew: Coconut water base with a Cold Brew cold foam layer (marketed as “refreshing” with chocolaty notes from the coffee foam). Restaurant DivePeople.com

• Protein Cold Foam: Starbucks’ new add-on target is ~15 g protein per serving (banana flavor in testing; broader flavor set planned). Starbucks has flagged strong demand for cold-foam modifiers and expects this to lift check averages. Restaurant DiveFood & WinePrevention

Customer feedback (early signals)

Taste & texture

• Reviewers describe the coconut-water drinks as “light,” “refreshing,” and less heavy than typical dairy-forward cold beverages. YahooTasting Table

• Some users note visual separation (layering/settling) that looks odd after a few minutes, though flavors remain pleasant once mixed. Reddit

Use cases

• Mid-day hydration and a lower-sweetness profile vs. Frappuccinos; “afternoon pick-me-up without the crash” is a recurring theme in quick takes. Tasting Table

• Anticipation around protein cold foam is high among gym-goers and GLP-1 users looking to boost protein conveniently; Starbucks expects strong attach rates. New York PostRestaurant Dive

Health & nutrition lens

Coconut water base

• Pros: naturally includes potassium and modest electrolytes; lighter than many dairy or juice bases; perceived as hydrating. Cons: it contains natural sugars—the grande Coco Matcha test spec lists ~11 g sugar, so it’s not sugar-free. Customize with no added syrups to keep sugar in check. About Starbucks

Matcha & Cold Brew foams

• Unsweetened matcha foam provides tea polyphenols with caffeine; pairing with coconut water may reduce added-sugar reliance vs. sweet syrups (depends on the customization). Cold brew foam adds coffee compounds (chlorogenic acids) and caffeine—watch overall caffeine dose. About StarbucksRestaurant Dive

Protein cold foam (~15 g protein)

• Practical upside: meaningful protein for a beverage add-on (roughly a small snack’s worth), helpful for satiety and muscle maintenance, especially if you otherwise drink low-protein coffee beverages. Caveat: overall healthfulness hinges on what else is in the cup (syrups, sweet cream, toppings). Prevention

Ordering tips for a “wellness” intent

1. Choose grande or tall to moderate calories.

2. Request no additional sweeteners/syrups; the coconut water provides baseline sweetness. Restaurant Dive

3. If adding protein cold foam, consider a lighter base (e.g., iced americano) to keep sugars down. Prevention

4. Caffeine-sensitivity? Opt for Coco Matcha (lower caffeine than cold brew) and avoid extra shots. About Starbucks

Business & market implications (U.S.)

• Margin play: Cold foam already grows checks; a protein version could further raise attach rates as a premium modifier. Analysts view wellness beverages as a lever for 2026 growth if adoption holds. Barron'sRestaurant Dive

• Category whitespace: Coconut-water coffee/tea hybrids are uncommon at major chains; Starbucks’ scale could normalize electrolyte-leaning coffee formats. Restaurant Dive

• Testing footprint: Expanding tests to ~400 stores signals conviction; success would inform broader rollout and seasonal variants (e.g., citrus-matcha, flavored protein foams). Food & WinePeople.com

• Demographics: Targets Gen Z/Millennials and wellness-curious consumers who want lighter sweetness, functional cues (protein/electrolytes), and customization. Barron's

Quick Q&A for your readers

Is Coco Matcha low-sugar?
Lower than many flavored lattes, but not sugar-free due to coconut water; grande test spec around 11 g sugar before modifiers. About Starbucks

Will protein cold foam make my drink “healthy”?
It adds protein (~15 g), which can help satiety, but overall health depends on the base drink and add-ins. Prevention

Best “wellness” order?
Try grande Coco Matcha, no added syrup, or an iced americano with protein cold foam; both keep sugars reasonable while delivering function. About StarbucksPrevention