Premier Protein launches a new sparkling soda with 15g of protein

Premier Protein has entered the sparkling soft drink market with the introduction of its Sparkling Protein Soda, which contains 15 grams of whey protein isolate per can. Each serving of this new beverage has 90 calories, 3 grams of sugar, and is sweetened with cane sugar and stevia extract. Notably, it contains no artificial colors and is crafted from only five ingredients.

The new product line comes in four fruit-inspired flavors: Lemon Lime, Grapefruit, Black Cherry, and Pineapple Orange, with the latter available exclusively at Walmart. The brand plans to distribute the soda across various retailers nationwide in the United States starting in August, including major chains like Walmart and Amazon.

Chelsie Niehoff, the associate director of innovation at Premier Protein, highlighted that the company identified a market gap for an innovative protein drink beyond the typical thick, creamy shakes. The Sparkling Protein Soda aims to provide a lighter, more enjoyable way for consumers to incorporate protein into their daily routines, branching out from conventional morning or post-workout consumption patterns.

This launch is in response to demand for more convenient and varied protein formats. According to research cited by Premier Protein from Mintel, 53% of soda drinkers use soft drinks for an afternoon energy boost. As such, the Sparkling Protein Soda is positioned to meet these afternoon snacking and on-the-go consumption needs.

The introduction of Sparkling Protein Soda exemplifies the ongoing trend where the lines between soft drinks and functional nutrition categories blur, as companies increasingly incorporate protein into mainstream beverage formats. Premier Protein is a part of BellRing Brands, a company that also includes the sports nutrition brand Dymatize. The range of brands under BellRing Brands is distributed in over 90 countries through various channels including retail, foodservice, e-commerce, and convenience stores.