Starbucks has been quietly expanding into protein-forward drinks, and its latest move folds that strategy into the holidays with Gingerbread Cream Protein Cold Foam. The topping brings classic gingerbread flavor and an extra hit of protein to iced coffee builds, turning a festive order into something closer to a snack.

Starbucks’ protein cold foam concept is simple:

Up to now, most of the attention has gone to vanilla and chocolate-style variants. Gingerbread Cream Protein Cold Foam takes the same platform and layers in warm holiday spices—think ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.

When you add the gingerbread protein foam to a cold brew or iced latte, you get:

The result is a drink that still feels like a treat but does more work nutritionally than a standard flavored latte.

For people tracking macros—or just trying to keep holiday creep under control—small tweaks go a long way. A few ideas:

You end up with something that still feels festive, but with more protein and less of the “drink your dessert” vibe.

Gingerbread Cream Protein Cold Foam is Starbucks doing what it does best: taking a seasonal flavor people already love and giving it a new twist. In this case, that twist is a protein boost that turns a daily habit into a more productive part of your nutrition.

If you’re already embracing red cup season, this is an easy way to get a little more out of what you’re ordering anyway.