We’ve been following the protein trend in food news for years now, and 2026 shows no signs of stopping. Brands are rolling out new protein-packed eats and tweaking classic items to up those highly-prioritized grams, from new Dave’s Killer Bread products to new Honey Bunches of Oats.
And with the recent news that many popular protein powders contain alarming levels of lead, the protein drink possibilities don’t feel as plentiful as the infinite world of protein bars. But one brand is challenging this and introducing a new kind of protein beverage.
It’s not a shake. And it’s not a “sports drink.” It’s bubbly, in a can, and from a brand we never expected to jump into the drink business.
Beyond Meat Launches New Line of Protein Beverages
If you thought Liquid I.V.’s hot cocoa was weird, brace yourself for protein sparkling beverages…from a company that makes burgers and nuggets. Say hello to Beyond Immerse, a brand-new, first-of-its-kind protein beverage. It’s not soda (like Barebells Protein Soda), but it is a flavored, sparkling, and canned drink.
Allrecipes / Beyond Immerse
For the first time ever, Beyond Meat is breaking into the beverage category with Beyond Immerse. The new line of drinks combines up to 20 grams of plant protein, seven grams of fiber, antioxidants, and electrolytes in a single 12-ounce can.
The new lineup is available in three flavors: Peach Mango, Lemon Lime, and Orange Tangerine. However, you won’t find these on grocery store shelves, as Beyond Immerse is only available for a limited time and it’s exclusive to the Beyond Test Kitchen website, a marketplace where Beyond Meat says “consumers will have access to many new product innovations and limited-time drops.”
I tried the new Beyond Immerse Protein Beverages, and here’s my honest review.
My Honest Review of Beyond Immerse Protein Beverages
Beyond Meat was kind enough to send me the full lineup of sparkling beverages, which are available with either 10-grams or 20-grams of protein. As someone who drinks a lot of protein shakes (but has a penchant for bubbles), I was eager to give these a whirl.
Well, they smell great. Lemon Lime smells like a small, craft brand’s take on Sprite. The Peach Mango smells just like juicy, gummy candy. And the Orange Tangerine smells like those teeny tiny cartons of OJ you’d get at the school cafeteria.
But as for the taste…There’s something savory and salty right from the start. I tried the cans with 20 grams of protein first, and the non-dairy pea protein flavor is more noticeable than it should be. The version with 10 grams of protein is more subtle with the pea vibes. Peach Mango is the most drinkable. And if I were drinking this post-workout or after a long hike, I would totally chug it and not notice the slightly funky tang—especially if it’s ice cold.
I’ll admit: I expected these to be more bubbly. But I love a good fizz. (I’ll take my chances against the Willy Wonka Fizzy Lifting Drink death fan if it means I get more carbonation.) These are fairly flat. There’s a viscosity that reminds me of coconut water (perhaps because of those added electrolytes). It’s somehow both thin and syrupy at the same time. I do, however, think this new lineup of beverages could be a prime candidate for mixing with plain sparkling water—thereby cutting the pea protein taste and upping the fizz à la the days of #WaterTok and enhancing large amounts of water with fun flavors to hit those hydration goals.
Peach Mango with 10 grams of protein is definitely the play if you want to try this new, first-of-its-kind beverage. But I’m telling now: Make sure it’s ice cold. And sweat first.
