The macro scorecard
Starbucks Caramel Protein Latte
Hot or iced, regular or sugar-free: we put the four Caramel Protein Lattes side by side, compare them with Starbucks’ other caramel and protein drinks, explain the protein-boosted milk, and show you how to make a higher-protein version at home.
Quick answer. The Starbucks Caramel Protein Latte is espresso, protein-boosted milk and caramel flavor. A Grande has 27 g of protein hot or 29 g iced, with about 150 mg of caffeine. The regular version has 320 calories hot (280 iced); the Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte keeps the same protein for 230 calories hot (200 iced). It joined the year-round menu in January 2026 and costs about $7.29 hot or $7.59 iced on average.
- Size in this answer: Grande
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 27 g
- Caffeine: 150 mg
- Average US price: $7.29
Checked October 2026. Prices are average US prices and vary by store.
The 4 Caramel Protein Lattes, Side by Side
| Grande (16 oz) | Calories | Sugar | Protein | Caffeine | Protein per 100 cal | Avg. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caramel Protein Latte (hot) | 320 | 37 g | 27 g | 150 mg | 8.4 g | $7.29 |
| Iced Caramel Protein Latte | 280 | 31 g | 29 g | 150 mg | 10.4 g | $7.59 |
| Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte (hot) | 230 | 15 g | 27 g | 150 mg | 11.7 g | — |
| Iced Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte | 200 | 9 g | 29 g | 150 mg | 14.5 g | — |
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Best macros | Iced Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte: 29 g protein, 200 calories, 9 g sugar. |
| 🔥 Warm and lean | Hot Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte: 27 g protein for 230 calories. |
Note that Starbucks lists 29 g of protein for every Grande Iced Protein Latte versus 27 g for every hot Grande, so iced is the better pick if protein is your priority.
What Is Protein-Boosted Milk?
Starbucks launched its protein lineup in the US in late September 2025. The lattes are made with protein-boosted milk: 2% milk with unflavored whey protein added, so it tastes like a normal latte. Because it is whey, the drink contains dairy. You can also ask for protein-boosted milk in many other milk drinks, or add protein cold foam to iced drinks. Exact protein depends on the drink, so check the Starbucks app.
How It Compares With Other Starbucks Drinks
| Grande drink | Calories | Sugar | Protein | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caramel Protein Latte (hot) | 320 | 37 g | 27 g | 150 mg |
| Vanilla Protein Latte (hot) | 310 | 34 g | 27 g | 150 mg |
| Caramel Macchiato (hot) | 250 | 33 g | 10 g | 150 mg |
| Caffè Latte (hot) | 190 | 18 g | 13 g | 150 mg |
| Caramel Frappuccino | 380 | 54 g | 4 g | 90 mg |
| Iced Sugar-Free Protein Matcha | 210 | — | 31 g | — |
So the Caramel Protein Latte has roughly twice the protein of a regular Caffè Latte and nearly three times that of a Caramel Macchiato, for the same caffeine. If you just want a “caramel latte,” Starbucks makes it as a Caffè Latte with caramel syrup; it is not a separate menu item. For every protein drink and snacks, see the Starbucks nutrition page.
Tips for ordering
- Lowest sugar: the iced sugar-free version (9 g, all from the milk).
- More caramel without much sugar: order sugar-free and ask for a light caramel drizzle.
- More caffeine: add a shot of espresso (Blonde is smoother).
- Even more protein, less caffeine: try the Iced Caramel Protein Matcha (31 g protein, 65 mg caffeine), or add protein cold foam to iced drinks.
- Lighter on calories: skip any drizzle or whipped toppings; the base is already macro-friendly.
Find the protein lattes on our hot drinks and cold drinks pages.
Homemade Caramel Protein Latte (About 35 g Protein)
This home version uses ultra-filtered milk plus a scoop of unflavored whey to go higher on protein than the café version. Exact protein depends on your milk and protein powder labels; with the ingredients below it lands around 35 to 40 g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz / 240 ml) ultra-filtered 2% milk (about 13 g protein per cup on most labels) or regular 2% milk
- 1 scoop (about 30 g) unflavored whey protein isolate
- 2 shots (2 oz / 60 ml) espresso, or ¼ cup very strong coffee
- 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons caramel syrup (regular or sugar-free)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon thick caramel sauce for drizzling; 1 cup ice for iced
Instructions
- Mix the protein cold. Whisk or blend the whey protein into the cold milk until completely smooth. Mixing it cold prevents clumps.
- Heat gently (hot version). Warm the protein milk to about 140°F (60°C), stirring, or steam it on a low wand. Do not boil; whey gets grainy above about 160°F.
- Flavor the espresso. Brew the espresso into a 16 oz mug and stir in the caramel syrup.
- Combine. Pour the warm protein milk over the espresso. For iced, skip heating: pour espresso and syrup over ice, then add the cold protein milk.
- Finish. Drizzle with a little caramel sauce if you like and serve.
Tips, swaps and storage
- Unflavored whey isolate tastes the most like a regular latte; vanilla or caramel protein powder works too, but use less syrup.
- Keep it below 160°F to avoid a grainy texture.
- Sugar-free: use sugar-free caramel syrup; most of the remaining sugar will come from the milk.
- Dairy-free: use soy milk and a pea or soy protein powder (texture is thicker).
- Meal prep: mix protein milk ahead and keep it covered in the fridge up to 2 days; shake before using. Make the latte fresh.
Watch: Iced Caramel Protein Latte Review
Caramel Protein Latte FAQs
How much protein is in a Starbucks Caramel Protein Latte?
27 g in a Grande hot Caramel Protein Latte and 29 g in a Grande Iced Caramel Protein Latte. The sugar-free versions have the same protein.
How many calories are in the Caramel Protein Latte?
A Grande has 320 calories hot and 280 iced. The Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte has 230 calories hot and 200 iced.
How much sugar is in it?
37 g in a hot Grande and 31 g iced. The sugar-free versions cut that to 15 g hot and 9 g iced, which comes from the milk.
What protein does Starbucks use?
Starbucks’ protein lattes are made with protein-boosted milk, which Starbucks says uses unflavored whey protein powder. It is dairy-based, so these drinks are not dairy-free.
Does the Caramel Protein Latte have caffeine?
Yes, about 150 mg in a Grande, the same as a Grande Caffè Latte.
Is the Caramel Protein Latte permanent?
Yes. Starbucks added the Caramel Protein Latte to the year-round menu in January 2026, alongside the Vanilla Protein Latte.
How is it different from a regular caramel latte?
Starbucks does not have a “caramel latte” on the menu; it is a Caffè Latte with caramel syrup added. The protein latte uses protein-boosted milk, so it has about twice the protein of a regular Grande latte (27 g vs. 13 g).
How does it compare with Dutch Bros or Dunkin’ protein drinks?
Dutch Bros offers protein milk and Dunkin’ has its own protein lattes, but their recipes and nutrition differ. Check each brand’s app for exact numbers.
Nutrition is from starbucks.com for Grande sizes (October 2026). Prices are average US prices and vary by store. Homemade protein totals are estimates based on typical product labels. starbukmenu.com is not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation.
