Fueling Your Day with Function

Bringing Functional Ingredients to the Forefront

For those juggling busy schedules, functional ingredients offer a convenient way to boost nutrition throughout the day. Dietitian Sammi Brondo explains, “While it’s ideal to try to get everything we need from food, in reality, that’s not always easy to do. Functional ingredients—especially in beverages—can help bridge that nutrient gap, especially on days where you’re busy, on-the-go, or just shorter on time.” We’ve embraced this idea with our latest lineup of functional beverages, our Vitality Menu, focusing on protein, immunity, and hydration.

Protein-Powered Coffee

Protein-enhanced coffee isn’t a new concept, but we wanted to do it right—without sacrificing taste. “We didn’t want a jolt of energy,” says Patrick Main, Peet’s Senior Beverage Innovator. “We wanted something that provides sustainable energy.” Enter the Protein Latte, which boasts 20 grams of protein in a medium-sized beverage. After exploring multiple options, we selected a whey protein for its clean, simple ingredients and ability to enhance the drink’s texture without adding unwanted flavors or artificial ingredients.

Brondo echoes the benefits: “Adding protein to coffee can be an especially helpful hack. Personally, I usually have a few hours between when I wake up and eat something small until I can sit down and eat a real breakfast. Protein in my coffee helps to keep me full during that time, and Peet’s Protein Lattes are so incredibly delicious.”

Boosting Immunity, Deliciously

This past winter, as part of the debut of the Vitality Menu and protein, we launched line of immunity-focused drinks featuring vitamin C and B vitamins. The goal was to create beverages with functional ingredients that didn’t  taste medicinal. “We wanted these drinks to be as delicious as they are functional,” Main explains. This lineup included sparkling lemonades and blood orange tea, offering refreshment in support of a healthy immune system.

Hydration Meets Coffee

And for Spring? Many people don’t drink enough water throughout the day, but hydration doesn’t have to come from plain water alone. We tackled this opportunity by incorporating Pressed coconut water—rich in natural electrolytes—into cold brew and matcha beverages. “People would be surprised to know that coffee counts towards hydration! Adding coconut water to coffee makes it even more hydrating and is an easy, delicious way to reach hydration goals,” Brondo notes.

Our choice of Vita Coco’s Pressed coconut water, which contains a touch of coconut purée, was intentional. “It gives the drink a beautiful, cloudy appearance and a smooth, slightly creamy texture,” says Main. The result? A functional beverage that feels like an indulgence while keeping hydration top of mind.

What’s Next?

We’re continuing to explore new functional beverage concepts, though Main stays tight-lipped on upcoming innovations. But if our Innovation Team’s latest lineup is any indication, coffee lovers can expect more thoughtfully crafted drinks that balance flavor and function in every sip.

Whether you’re looking for a protein boost or better hydration, check out our new Vitality Menu, full of functional beverages designed to fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle—without compromising on taste.