18 Best cheap Starbucks Drinks I order when my budget is tighter

18 Best cheap Starbucks drinks (Budget-friendly orders)

The cheapest drinks are usually the simplest because they use fewer ingredients and take less time to make.

Here’s my list of the best budget-friendly drinks at Starbucks.

1. Espresso

Let’s start with the cheapest drink on the Starbucks menu, the espresso.

I like ordering espresso on its own because it keeps the order cheap and lets me actually taste the dark roast. The first thing I notice is the rich, caramelly note. When I want something a little lighter, I switch to Blonde shots instead.

It’s available as a solo, doppio, triple, or quad, with 75mg of caffeine per shot.

Espresso is generally used as the base of popular Starbucks drinks, so ordering it on its own gives you the same amount of caffeine without paying for the milk and extras.

I get so used to my local espresso being around $1.75 that it always feels shocking to go to a big city and pay $2 – location matters!

2. Iced Espresso 

An iced espresso is exactly the same as a regular espresso, but the espresso shots are poured over ice.

It’s used as the basis of many popular cold drinks and is available using blonde or regular roast espresso beans, or even in decaf.

Just like a regular espresso, you can order it as a single, double, triple, or quadruple shot, though most people won’t want more than a double shot when it’s on its own.

I like ordering a grande in a venti cup with light ice, then adding a little milk, honey, and cinnamon or cocoa powder at the condiment bar. It stretches the drink a bit without making it feel overly diluted.

This iced brewed coffee costs the same as a regular espresso and also has no calories or sugar. It’ll set you back about $2 at most Starbucks locations.

3. Espresso Macchiato 

A Starbucks espresso macchiato is just like a regular espresso with a dollop of cream on top of the espresso shots.

They’re very strong, with 150mg of caffeine in a single serving, but still over 15 calories.

This drink works well with vanilla syrup or other flavoured syrups and caramel topping, but adding these will increase the price and calories.

Sometimes, I add vanilla powder and sugar to the cream and stir it in as best I can to mimic vanilla sweet cream cold foam.

A short espresso macchiato will cost about $2.50, which makes it one of the cheapest drink options that any coffee chains offers.

4. Espresso con Panna 

The espresso con panna is similar to a macchiato but uses flavoured Starbucks vanilla sweet cream instead of regular cream.

That makes it taste sweeter and softens some of the coffee bitterness.

The Espresso con Panna was a real comfort drink while I was writing my dissertation. The light vanilla cream mixed with the espresso’s caramel notes still takes me back to those late nights.

There are 150mg of caffeine and 35 calories per serving, so it stays fairly light. Once the cream is stirred through, it still tastes rich and creamy.

It costs about the same as a macchiato, $2.50, and is one of the cheapest drinks at Starbucks.

5. Steamed Milk 

Steamed milk is another one of the incredibly simple drinks at Starbucks, and it’s very affordable.

It’s available in every size, and because it’s so simple, there’s even a kids size that costs less than a short.

I used to order this as a broke student and add cocoa and cinnamon powder, or a pump of syrup when I wanted to treat myself. The foamy creaminess of steamed milk was comforting during long rainy study sessions.

There are roughly 200 calories and 19 grams of sugar in a single serving, and no caffeine.

It will cost you $3 for a steamed milk short, but only $2 for the kid’s size. You can change the milk, but that will cost extra if you go for a non-dairy option.

6. Steamed Apple Juice 

This delicious Starbucks apple juice is one of the drinks that are a bit different, because there’s no milk or coffee.

It’s made entirely from fresh apple juice, which is steamed, with no other additions or toppings. As an apple juice fiend, I will always have a soft spot for this drink.

The naturally sweet and tart flavour of the apples makes it feel especially right for autumn, and on a cold morning I find the aroma lifts the whole drink.

There are 220 calories and 50 grams of sugar in a serving.

A short will only cost you $2.75, so it’s one of the cheapest drinks available, and much cheaper than a lot of regular Starbucks coffees.

7. Iced Tea Lemonade 

For me, there’s nothing better on a hot summer’s day than a fresh lemonade, and the Starbucks iced tea lemonade is something special.

It’s made by hand, shaking black tea and lemonade over ice, and the combination cuts through the sweetness so the drink tastes brighter and less one-note.

There are a few shaken iced tea lemonade flavours to choose from, but the raspberry passion tea lemonade tends to stand out because the tart and sweet notes stay nicely balanced.

A Grande cup will cost you roughly $3.50, which is more affordable than comparable drinks from other coffee shops.

8. Caffè Americano 

A Starbucks Caffe Americano is a classic coffee for me. It’s made with three espresso shots topped with boiling water.

It can be served black or customised with milk, cream, and other toppings, usually all available at no extra cost. I prefer mine with milk and other toppings, but I respect black coffee fans.

A Starbucks Caffe Americano has a rich, bold flavour that makes it popular with coffee purists. There are 225mg of caffeine and 40 calories per serving.

Still, the Starbucks Grande Americano has three shots of espresso in the base instead of two, so in terms of caffeine content it offers better value for money.

A Grande Americano costs $3.50, which is roughly the same as other coffee shops.

9. Iced Caffè Americano 

The iced Caffe Americano is made the same way as the hot version, but cold water is poured over the espresso base instead.

It’s then mixed with ice to give it a lighter and more refreshing flavour.

Many people choose to add a flavoured syrup to the iced Americano to give it a sweeter taste, but you’ll have to pay extra, and it will add to the sugar and calorie content.

If I’m feeling sweet, I tend to use my Starbucks stars on syrups or just add honey at the condiments bar.

It’s a good budget Starbucks drink for iced coffee lovers on a hot day and has only 15 calories in a serving.

An iced Caffe Americano costs $3.50.

10. Caffè Misto 

A Starbucks Caffe Misto is not one everyone has heard of before, but it’s a combination of espresso and steamed milk.

This is often called a café au lait, and it’s very popular with milky coffee lovers like me.

The combination of steamed milk and espresso gives this hot coffee a really smooth texture, and it’s close enough to a regular latte that I often think of them together.

You can switch the steamed milk from whole to skimmed for free, but if you choose dairy-free options, then it will cost you extra.

It has 75mg of caffeine from the espresso and about 200 calories from the milk.

A Grande cup of Caffe Misto will cost $3.50, which is about $1 cheaper than a regular latte, so it’s one of the cheapest Starbucks drinks for coffee lovers.

11. Cold Brew 

Starbucks cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee in cold water for 20 hours, which gives it a much smoother taste.

That steeping method also makes the cold brew one of the strongest Starbucks drinks you can order from the regular menu.

It is often served with a vanilla cream topping to sweeten it, but if you want to keep the costs down, you can just have this coffee straight.

It’s one of the cheapest Starbucks drinks for coffee aficionados and purists who genuinely like the slightly bitter taste.

These days, I make cold brew at home, but this is still a good backup when I’m out and about.

It will cost you about $4 for a single serving of a Grande cold brew, but considering the high caffeine content, it’s good value for money.

Get Starbucks Cold Brew Delivered To Your Door!

12. Hot Brewed Coffee 

One of the cheapest Starbucks drinks is the hot brewed coffee.

This drip coffee is brewed regularly throughout the day using dark, medium, or blonde roasts, and there’s usually a decaf option on the Starbucks menu.

The drip coffee brewing method gives it a less bold taste than a regular Americano, and there’s less caffeine content, with only 75mg a serving.

There are only 15 calories in a serving of this hot coffee if you don’t add any milk, cream, or sugar.

A Starbucks hot brewed coffee will typically cost $2.75, and you’ll get a free coffee refill for the duration of your visit with Starbucks Rewards.

Brew The Famous Pike Place Roast At Home!

13. Hot Tea 

Starbucks has a wide range of regular and flavoured teas to choose from, and they’re all low cost, which is handy when I want a break from coffee.

You can choose from fruit, black, or herbal teas, and you’ll get 1 or 2 teabags depending on the size you choose.

There are no calories in any regular teas, and they’re generally low caffeine, so they make an easy choice when I want something lighter.

I like enjoying my tea in-store and, when the refill policy applies, I’ll usually get a refill before I leave.

Hot tea will generally cost $3 for a Grande cup, and you’ll get a free refill if it’s on the same visit.

8 Starbucks hacks for a cheaper drink

That covers the cheapest Starbucks drinks, and there are plenty of good budget options.

There are also a few ways I keep the total down, whatever I’m buying.

1. Choosing the size

Starbucks offers a range of sizes, and most drinks are served in a Tall, Grande, or Venti cup.

A few drinks go larger than Venti, but only certain ones. Picking the right drink is one of the simplest ways to save money.

Starbucks menu prices vary, but the smaller the size, the cheaper drinks are, and you’ll find that Starbucks shorts are almost always the most budget-friendly size.

You can also save money by ordering a larger size and sharing it with a friend. In practice, a Venti cup or Trenta is often big enough to split between two people.

2. Selection  

I’ve introduced some of the best options in this article, but as a general rule, the simpler the drink, the cheaper it will be.

Smaller, simpler drinks are usually cheaper because they need fewer ingredients and less time to make.

3. Using Starbucks Rewards 

By joining the Starbucks rewards program, you will be eligible for discounts and other exclusive promotions, and Starbucks gives you a free birthday drink.

You can register in-store or online for free, and there’s an app you can download to your phone to track when you earn free drinks.

The more you spend, the more free drinks you’ll get back as you move up the Starbucks loyalty levels.

4. Adding free syrup 

As you spend money at Starbucks, you’ll advance through the reward program levels. Once you get to gold, you’ll be eligible for some free additions.

This can also let you customise cheap hot drinks with a range of free syrups, whipped cream options, and different milk types.

For me, that is where the value starts to improve.

5. Building your own drink

Another way I save money is to deconstruct the drink.

For example, instead of ordering an iced latte, you can just order an espresso and ask for free ice and milk. Then, mix it all together yourself and save yourself a few dollars.

6. Bringing your own cup 

Starbucks, in many regions, offers a discount if you bring your own reusable cup.

This varies depending on the location, but you can save up to 40 cents per drink.

That saves a little money and cuts down on disposable cups, so I try to bring one when I can.

7. Free refill option

Many participating Starbucks locations, besides the drive-thru, offer free refills on your coffee, and I take advantage of that when I can.

To access free refills, you simply need to use the Starbucks app or a registered Starbucks card to pay for your order. Then ask for a refill and show the barista that same card or app in order to cash in.

It doesn’t apply to speciality drinks. According to their policy, you can get refills on “brewed coffee (hot, iced coffee or cold brew), and tea (hot or iced, not including lemonade)...regardless of the original beverage.”

You can only get refills in one visit – no leaving and coming back for a refill. Sit and enjoy your coffee to its fullest in-store before getting a refill on the way out.

8. Light ice request

Asking for your drink with “light ice”, or selecting it from the drop-down menu in app, ensures that the barista uses a smaller scoop when adding ice to your cup.

In training, Starbucks baristas use the amount for the next size down when serving light ice, so a tall amount of ice in a grande drink, for example.

It can be a simple way to get a little more drink for your money.

A few other ways to get less ice in your cup include:

• Asking for a set number of ice cubes in your drink i.e. six ice cubes
• Ask for a drink with no ice and a short cup of ice on the side
• Ask for the barista to use a yellow scoop of ice (the smallest scoop possible)

Each of these methods is really common and Starbucks baristas will be more than happy to make this small change for you.

FAQs

How can I get a latte cheaper at Starbucks? 

To get a cheaper latte at Starbucks, order the espresso and then ask for ice and milk separately. Mix them together to get an iced latte for almost the same price as an espresso shot.

How do I get free Starbucks today? 

By joining the Starbucks rewards program, you'll qualify for a free drink on your birthday. Just set your birthday to that same day, and you'll get a free drink right away.

Is Starbucks cheaper if you have a cup? 

Yes, Starbucks is slightly cheaper if you bring your own cup. You will get $0.10 off your drink at most Starbucks locations. Starbucks Rewards customers also get 25 extra points along with the 10-cent discount.

Is water free at Starbucks?

Yes, water is free at every Starbucks location. They usually give it to you in a Venti cup with ice.

What is the most expensive drink at Starbucks? 

The most expensive drink at most Starbucks is the super venti flat white, which is literally huge and contains 170 shots of espresso. This will set you back over $145!