Protein Water, Protein Soda, and Protein Ice Cream Are Driving A New High-Protein Movement

Protein is not new; it has been trending for the last decade. However, the audience and protein applications are new. Protein-forward nutrition was once aimed at bodybuilders and athletes, but today it’s driven by broader health and wellness goals as sports nutrition goes mainstream among active consumers and users of GLP-1 medications. Flavor Dynamics is a New Jersey-based flavors manufacturer with over three decades of experience developing flavors for protein-fortified foods and beverages. Proteins are complex and challenging due to their chemical interactions with flavor ingredients, inherent base characteristics, processing effects, protein denaturation, off notes, and FMP considerations. We understand the complexity of proteins and tailor flavors to perform consistently across diverse manufacturing processes, ensuring stability, clarity, and impact. Protein drinks, protein water, protein soda, and protein ice cream are the latest products to meet consumers’ needs for convenience and functionality.

Innova identified Powerhouse Protein as a Top Ten Trend for 2026, with “new products evolving beyond traditional protein sources and their alternatives.” A Numerator survey of over 1,000 U.S. households found that 78% of consumers are paying attention to protein in their diets. The 2025 IFIC Spotlight Survey reported that 79% of Americans are either unaware (53%) or unsure (26%) of their daily protein consumption needs. The CDC recommends 46 grams of protein daily for women and 56 grams for men, based on 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.

According to Cobank, “protein has become one of the strongest value drivers in the supermarket,” and products with a high-protein claim can command price premiums of up to 12%. Products with 15 or more grams of protein have reached $4.9 billion in sales, and high protein categories have seen 9.3% annual growth, according to SPINS. Fonterra noted that the US protein market is strong across nearly every major category, with bars up 6.8%, sports powders up 7.2%, and ready-to-drinks (RTD) up 7.4%. “Consumers are looking for convenient and effective ways to increase their protein intake, and RTD protein drinks provide a quick and easy solution to cater to this drink trend,” per Innova.

Numerator’s research showed that 29% of respondents listed RTD protein shakes as a regularly consumed protein source, while 24% noted protein powders. Of the fortified-protein products, RTD coffee and coffee creamers each recorded 9% among respondents. According to Data Insights Market, the RTD protein beverage market was estimated at $15 billion in 2025. It is projected to reach $28 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7%. Cobank reported that sales of RTD dairy shakes and nutritional’s surged 70% in four years, reaching $8.1 billion in 2025.

There are a variety of new product launches. For example, Silk debuted Silk Protein, a high-protein, plant-based beverage with 13g of plant protein. Silk Protein Original and Silk Protein Chocolate “deliver taste and texture” and perform in coffee, smoothies, or on their own. Beyond Meat entered the functional beverage market in January. Beyond Immerse formula contains plant protein, fiber, antioxidants, and electrolytes. The flavors are Lemon Lime, Mango, and Orange Tangerine. In February, Cherry Berry, Cucumber Grapefruit, Piña Colada, and Strawberry Lemonade joined the lineup. Robbins released Pure Genius Protein, a first-of-its-kind 23g protein shot, in three flavors: Blueberry Lemonade, Strawberry Guava, and Pineapple. The shot is lactose-free, gluten-free, and 100 calories with zero sugar and fat. Gorgie added Protein Energy drinks to its portfolio in Power Punch and Strawberry Pop flavors. Each can delivers 8g of protein, 150mg of green tea caffeine, Biotin, B Vitamins, and L-Theanine.

Supplemental protein is a core RTD wellness staple, and clear protein is driving this trend, per the Vitamin Shoppe. Sales of RTD protein drinks rose 20% year-to-date. Clear protein drinks are a lighter, more refreshing alternative to creamy protein shakes. Spate’s research also found that clear protein is trending. The overall growth increased by 151.1%, with 203.6% YoY on TikTok and 215.8% YoY on Instagram. Lumen Clear Protein Strawberry Dragonfruit is an allergen-free, clear protein drink featuring 16g of protein that blends grass-fed bovine collagen, rice protein, and essential amino acids. It is sweetened with Regenerative Organic Certified agave nectar and an organic juice blend. Just Ingredients Orange Pineapple Clear Protein drink highlights pineapple juice sweetened with stevia and 20g of grass-fed whey protein isolate. According to the brand, there is no chalky or lingering texture.

Like water and other protein drinks, consumers crave better-for-you protein-infused sodas. Protein soda is the latest functional beverage gaining popularity in 2026. According to Spate, protein soda shows a 13.3 million increase in average monthly searches. These sodas are going viral, offering function, flavor, and convenience. “On social media, protein sodas are trending as part of wellness routines rather than workouts, making them accessible to a much broader audience, from gym-goers to casual wellness seekers,” states Alyssa Williams.

Keurig Dr Pepper has rebranded SkyPop, previously known as Don’t Quit. The line includes seven flavors: Fruit Punch, Grape, Ice Pop, Peaches & Cream, Root Beer, Strawberry Cotton Candy, and Orange. Each can contains 10g of whey protein and zero sugar. Koia Protein Pop is a clear plant-based protein soda with 10g of plant-based protein, 4g of prebiotic fiber, and 2g of sugar. It is available in Capri Splash, Pink Twist, Rocket Freeze, and Sour Squeeze varieties. Rise Wellness expanded with Protein Pop Plus, a carbonated, RTD clear protein beverage sold at Costco. Protein Pop Plus highlights 30g of protein, a blend of whey protein isolate and bovine collagen. Flavors include Citrus, Mango Peach, and Orange Cream, with more coming. ProSo Protein Soda comes in Cheeky Cherry Vanilla, Retro Root Beer, and Sunny Meyer Lemon. It provides 10g of whey protein isolate with natural flavors and a rice-based sweetener, OnoSweet.

“Protein soda is expanding beyond a niche innovation and becoming a new class of functional beverages within modern soda. As consumers continue to prioritize protein and better-for-you refreshment, demand will grow for products that deliver both taste and nutrition in convenient formats,” says Mark French.

Consumers’ demand for protein has remained consistently strong. For example, in 2014, the NPD Group’s research showed that 78 % of U.S. consumers stated that protein contributes to a healthy diet, and more than half of adult consumers indicated a desire to incorporate more protein into their diets. From protein-rich yogurt to protein powder and snack bars to protein drinks to snacks and ice cream, consumers’ interest is not waning. What is changing is consumers’ desire to easily incorporate protein into their diets. Consumers want convenient, functional, and tasty food and beverages that deliver protein. Clear protein is driving beverage innovation in RTD protein drinks, protein water, and protein soda. Concurrently, consumers crave healthy indulgence, and protein ice cream meets this need. Expect more flavors, formats, and protein sources with multi-functional benefits to meet consumers’ desire for protein-fortified beverages and ice cream.

Protein is a sought-after ingredient in food and beverages. As a flavor manufacturer, Flavor Dynamics Inc. offers natural and N/A flavors for protein-enriched beverages. Our flavors are vegan and kosher and available in water soluble liquid and dry formulas. Additionally, Flavor Dynamics, Inc. provides natural and kosher bitter maskers ideal for protein powders, blends containing high levels of artificial sweeteners, and high-intensity natural sweeteners. Leveraging our expertise in protein systems, we develop flavor solutions optimized for your base characteristics, processing parameters, and formulation challenges. No one size fits all. Contact us today to collaborate on your next protein-fortified beverage project.

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