Costco Is Selling a New Sparkling Protein Drink

Hate the texture of protein shakes? Yeah, join the club. For anyone who falls in the same camp, an unexpected, fizzy new beverage at Costco promises to deliver 30 grams of protein in a translucent, effervescent drink.

Genius Gourmetan Idaho-based snack brand, is rolling out a protein-packed sparkling “water” at beloved bulk retailer Costco. Dubbed the Sparkling Clear Protein Drink, this beverage could answer one of the biggest issues plaguing the protein drink market: an unpleasant, powdery texture.

Traditional protein shakes often have a thick, viscous texture and chalky mouthfeel that can easily be polarizing. At the same time, they’re also incredibly useful to so many consumers as an easy way to supplement their diet, whether that’s as a snack that sustains energy, a way to add extra protein to a meal, or a post-gym drink to boost muscle recovery. This new beverage aims to solve any textural complaints about protein drinks while still supplying the same nutrition facts.

What is the sparkling protein drink at Costco?

As Genius Gourmet outlined in its announcement on July 31, these sparkling protein drinks use an “ultra-filtered” whey protein isolate to achieve a clear appearance and soda-like texture. (This approach is similar to a few other products on the market, like Fizzicwhich offers 15 or 20 grams of protein in its cans of sparkling protein water.) This new release, however, offers 30 grams of protein with zero sugar and no lactose for 130 calories. Per the nutrition label, it also uses mushroom extract as a preservative.

“This launch reflects our commitment to innovation,” Genius Gourmet CEO Lance Rankin says in the press release. “Consumers are asking for more convenient, better-tasting protein options, and this checks every box — clean, convenient, and craveable.”

What really sets this new drink apart from its few competitors is its reception by consumers. The sparkling beverages have gone viral on social media, with Costco fans rushing to try them and leaving comments like “We got them today and actually loved them!! I have no idea how they have 30 [grams] of protein in them.”

The primary ingredients in the beverage are carbonated water and whey protein isolate, plus natural flavors and sucralose for a sugar-free sweetener. This means that while many people online are calling it a sparkling protein water, it isn’t labeled as one, and in terms of flavor, it likely falls somewhere between sparkling water and soda.

How to get the new sparkling protein drink

Genius Gourmet’s new drink is only available in a blue raspberry lemonade flavor and is a Costco exclusive for now, but the brand confirms that it plans to expand to more retailers within 90 days. (Those interested in learning where else it becomes available can sign up for email notifications on the brand’s website.)

Costco sells 12-ounce cans in 15-count cases for $28.99, and you can find them at locations of the warehouse retailer nationwide.

The company first unveiled a version of this sparkling concoction in March, which only included 20 grams of protein at the time. When announcing its Costco rollout on July 31, Genius Gourmet also revealed the new rendition that contains 30 grams of protein per can.

With a texture and appearance that mimics a soda or sparkling water, perhaps we’ll soon see this beverage cropping up as a mocktail option soon — after all, it’s only a matter of time before the protein fad becomes part of happy hour, too.