An improved protein beverage which may provide relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid) to about 6 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is a protein, such preferably as whey protein, or others. The protein beverage may contain juice and/or an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. The protein beverage may be treated to inactivate pathogenic microbes in the presence or absence of carbonation, which may be used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink. Typically, the treatment for pathogenic microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the protein drink. The protein beverage may be prepared from a protein beverage concentrate, which may be in the form of a syrup concentrate or a powder concentrate.
