Craving Starbucks but you’re on a budget? Here are 10 drinks to order that are the cheapest on the menu. These are custom drinks so get your notepad ready to take notes!
Now this should go without saying, but there will be price variations by location. I’ll give you an average price of what each of these drink orders cost in my area (North Carolina) but you definitely need to check your own local store for pricing throughout the United States.
Listen y’all Starbucks coffee and budget don’t really go in the same sentence. But, sometimes you’re just in the mood for some Starbucks! These are some cheap(er) drinks that you can order if you don’t want to spend a ton at your own Starbucks locations. Get ready for all the money-saving tips for Starbucks drinkers!
How to Get Free Starbucks
Before we get into the drinks.. let me tell you about how I get FREE Starbucks favorite items all the time. Go ahead and download these two apps – Fetch and Ibotta.
Basically, when you go to the grocery store you’ll get points or cash back credits for items you buy. Once you hit a threshold, you can cash them in for gifts card. I ALWAYS get a Starbucks card because it is the one thing that really feels like a treat.
Another thing I want to add is that you NEED to download the Starbucks app if you are a frequent visitor to the coffee shop. You’ll eventually get a free drink or free food with Starbucks rewards.
Finally, if you bring in reusable cups they will cut off a few cents from your bill. Personally this is the one thing I do NOT do. If I’m going to treat myself, I don’t want to worry with bringing my own cup in. No thanks to the bringing your own reusable cup movement, ha!
Low-Cost Starbucks Drinks (That Actually Taste Good!)
The names I’m giving these drinks are NOT names of actual Starbucks drinks. They are my own little creations that I’ve given names. I’ve left instructions under each as to how you can order these at your own local Starbucks.
Also, this list isn’t dumb stuff like iced tea, hot chocolate or apple juice. These are ACTUAL coffee drinks that are super tasty. They definitely don’t taste like they don’t cost as much as some of the other stuff. Hope you find a few new drinks!
RELATED: The Best Non-Coffee Starbucks Drinks
1. Vanilla Caramel Iced Coffee – Grande
Here’s what you’ll order: Grande Iced Coffee add one pump of Vanilla syrup and one pump of Caramel Syrup. Add half & half and cinnamon powder.
Total: $3.95 plus tax
2. Caffe Misto – Grande (The best hot drink – imo!)
This drink actually blew me away! It’s sort of like a latte but way cheaper. It’s a drink that is a one to one ratio of fresh brewed coffee and steamed milk. If you like a little sweetener, I ask for 2 packets of Sugar in the Raw (which they will add for free). It’s delish!
Here’s what you’ll order: Grande Caffe Misto with two packets of Sugar in the Raw
Total: $3.65 plus tax
3. Iced Espresso with Classic Syrup and Whole Milk
If you love espresso all dressed up then this order is for you! It’s sort of like a latte – just with less milk. Sort of like a cortado?
Here’s what you’ll order: Iced Espresso (doppio) with 3/4 inch splash of whole milk and 2 pumps of classic syrup
Total: $3.75 plus tax
4. Vanilla Iced Shaken Espresso – Tall
Do you love the brown sugar shaken espresso? Try this vanilla smaller version of your favorite espresso drink that I’ve made up!
Here’s what you’ll order: Tall Shaken Espresso no classic syrup add 3 pumps of Vanilla syrup.
Total: $4.25
RELATED: My Under $150 Espresso Machine and How I Make Espresso at Home
5. Mocha Pike Place Roast – Grande
If you love regular drip coffee that is dressed up a bit, this drink is for you! It’s a hot drink perfect for those cooler mornings. You can also get dark roast if you want.
Here’s what you’ll order: Grande Featured Medium Roast – Pike Place Roast with 2 pumps of Mocha sauce and a splash of Oatmilk.
Total: $3.75 plus tax
6. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Iced Coffee – Grande
Give this indulgent iced coffee a try for a sweet afternoon pick me up. I can’t believe they don’t charge for these extras when it comes to iced coffee (the whipped cream and syrups) so take advantage!
Here’s what you’ll order: Grande Iced Coffee with a splash of heavy cream, 3 pumps of brown sugar syrup, whipped cream and cinnamon powder.
Total: $3.95 plus tax
7. Honey Cappuccino – Tall
If you love fluffy milk over espresso, this is the drink for you. Taste the delicious coffee bean flavor with a bit of milk and sweetness.
Here’s what you’ll order: Tall cappuccino with 1 packet of honey mixed in.
Total: $4.45 plus tax
8. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew – Tall
This is the only drink we aren’t making any crazy changes to! It’s a simple staple.
Here’s what you’ll order: Tall Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Total: $4.75
9. White Chocolate Espresso with Milk – Hot or Iced!
This is a pretty unique drink for all the espresso shots lovers but quite honestly I’d be embarrassed to walk up to the register and order this. I’d definitely be ordering this one in the app and picking it up at the window.
Lol! Plus, it’s just easier for everyone if you punch it into the app anyways. Things can get lost in translation when trying to tell the cashier what you want sometimes. Feel free to swap for blonde espresso if you want.
Here’s what you’ll order: Iced triple espresso with 3/4 inch splash of whole milk AND 3/4 inch splash of 2% milk add 1 (or 2 – same price) of white chocolate mocha sauce.
Total: $4.25
10. Peppermint Mocha Iced Coffee – Grande
Are you a fan of peppermint mochas? This iced coffee is the perfect pick! The Starbucks baristas will think you’re a genius for coming up with this.
Here’s what you’ll order: Grande Iced Coffee with a splash of milk or heavy cream, 2 pumps of peppermint syrup and mocha drizzle.
Total: $4.55
Where You Might Go Wrong:
Here are the major culprits that add on the hefty price tags. Try not to order these menu items additions if you’re on a budget!
- Cold foam (any variation of cold foam, chocolate cold foam, etc)
- Pumpkin spice latte (I know I know, it’s depressing. but lattes are just SO much $$)
- Adding shots of espresso (espresso cost an arm and a leg)
- Flat white (flat whites are priceyy)
- Seasonal drinks (these are ALWAYS $$$$)
- Starbucks frappuccinos (plus these are just total sugar bombs with horrrendous nutrition value)
- Starbucks mocha (the white chooclate mocha is a very expensive drink)
Conclusion
The good news? Coffee lovers can still get delicious drinks at Starbucks for their morning coffee at a lower price. These are some of my favorite drinks to order with the perfect amount of sweetness!
Iced coffee is really the best way to get the most bang for your buck on the Starbucks menu. You can add pumps of syrup and a splash of cream for no extra cost to dress it up. It’s the cheapest type of coffee if you like cold drinks.
For hot drinks, try the Caffe Misto. You won’t regret it! Skip the Caramel Macchiato or Iced Americano and go for one of these tasty budget friendly picks instead.