18 Cheap Starbucks Drinks: Plus Budget Hacks To Reduce Price

18 Cheap Starbucks Drinks (Best Budget-Friendly Orders)

Knowing the most affordable Starbucks drinks will help you save a few dollars each time which can quickly add up throughout the year.

The cheapest drinks tend to be the smallest and simplest because they use fewer ingredients and take less time to make.

That means more pre-made drinks and less handcrafted Starbucks drinks. 

Here's our list of the best budget-friendly drinks at Starbucks.

1. Espresso 

Let’s start with the cheapest drink on the Starbucks menu, the espresso.[1]

It’s so cheap because it’s literally just 0.75 ounces of espresso without any milk or other toppings added.

It's available as a solo, doppio, triple, or quad (1-4 shots) with 75mg of caffeine per shot.

Espresso is generally used as the base of popular Starbucks drinks so ordering an espresso on its own gives you the same amount of caffeine at a fraction of the price.  

An espresso will typically cost around $2 but can be slightly more expensive in some locations. 

There's no sugar and no calories, so it's a cheap option perfect for those on a diet.  

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.  

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 the top of the espresso shots.

This gives it a contrasting light and dark coloring and a slightly sweeter flavor. 

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 flavored syrups) and caramel topping, but adding these will increase the price and calories. 

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 flavored Starbucks vanilla sweet cream instead of regular cream. 

This gives it a sweeter taste which helps to counteract the bitterness of the coffee. 

There are 150mg of caffeine and 35 calories per serving, so it's a fairly light drink, but if you mix the cream into the espresso, then it's still 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 that are very affordable.

It has just one ingredient, milk, which is steamed, so it's hot and slightly foaming. 

It's available in every size, but because this drink is perfect for children, there's even a special kids size which is even cheaper than a short.

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.  

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

It's a great budget option for kids but also one that Starbucks drinkers of all ages enjoy.  

6. Steamed Apple Juice 

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

It’s made entirely from fresh apple juice, which is steamed, and there are no other additions or toppings.

The naturally sweet and tart flavor of the apples makes it the perfect autumn drink, and it’s guaranteed to brighten your mood on a cold morning.

There are 220 calories and 50 grams of sugar in a serving, so it's surprisingly bad for you, but 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. 

One of the great drinks at Starbucks for kids or adults.

7. Iced Tea Lemonade 

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 of flavors really cuts through the sweetness and gives it a much more sophisticated taste.   

There are a few shaken iced tea lemonade flavors to choose from, but the most popular on the Starbucks menu tends to be the raspberry passion tea lemonade, which has a well balanced tart and sweet flavor.

The Starbucks iced tea lemonade is cheap because there are so few ingredients.

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

This delicious beverage is a favorite in the summer months and is enjoyed by older drinkers who like the balance of flavors.

8. Caffè Americano 

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

It can be served black or customized with milk, cream, and other toppings, usually all available at no extra cost.

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

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

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

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 flavor.

Many people choose to add a flavored 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.   

An iced Caffe Americano costs $3.50 and has only 15 calories in a serving. It’s a good budget Starbucks drink for iced coffee lovers on a hot day.  

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. 

The combination of steamed milk and espresso gives this hot coffee a really smooth texture, and it’s very similar to a regular latte. 

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.

This is designed to give the coffee a much smoother taste, but it’s got noticeably more caffeine than a regular coffee. 

In fact, it's actually one of the strongest Starbucks drinks you can order from the regular Starbucks menu. 

The cold brew iced coffee 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 iced coffee straight.  

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. 

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

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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. 

One of the best value options for those who just want a plain hot brewed coffee.  

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13. Hot Tea 

Starbucks has a wide range of regular and flavored teas to choose from, and they're all low cost.

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're well suited for those on a detox.

There are also a lot of health benefits to fruit and herbal teas, which is a plus.   

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

Money-Saving Hacks For Ordering Budget Starbuck Drinks

You've seen our cheapest Starbucks drink list now with a lot of great budget options.

However, there are also a few hacks to shave a few extra dollars off Starbucks menu prices whatever you're buying. Here's what you need to consider:

Size

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

You can get a few drinks in a size larger than a Venti cup - but only certain drinks. Choosing the right drink is a great way 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. 

However, you can also save money by ordering a larger size and sharing it with a friend.

Generally, a venti cup, or trenta, is big enough to split between two people.  

Selection  

Outside of size, you can also save money by ordering the right type of drink.

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

This is because there are fewer ingredients and less time needed to make them.

Ordering short, non-hand-crafted Starbucks drinks will always be cheaper.  

Using Starbucks Rewards 

By joining the Starbucks rewards program, you will be eligible for discounts and other exclusive promotions, and they even give you a free birthday drink.[3]

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. 

Don't like technology? That's no problem, just pick up a Starbucks card to earn rewards and get your free Starbucks birthday drink. 

You'll just have to remember to take your Starbucks card with you to all Starbucks locations you visit to earn and spend rewards. 

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 means you can customize your cheap hot drinks with a range of free syrups (vanilla syrup and caramel syrup tend to be the most popular), whipped cream options, and different milk types for free. 

Essentially, this means you'll get better Starbucks drinks for free.   

Building Your Own 

Another way to get a cheap Starbucks drink is to deconstruct it.

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.  

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’s good for you because you can get cheap Starbucks drinks, and good for the environment, so it's worth getting your own cup.  

Common Cheap Starbucks Drink Questions 

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.[4] This will set you back over $145! 

Summary - Save Yourself Some Money!

Let’s face it, living without your favorite drinks can be really boring, and Starbucks has some of the best coffee around.

If you're on a tight budget, you can still enjoy your favorite Starbucks drinks, and hopefully, these hacks will help you save you a lot of money in the long run.

References:

1. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/410/hot

2. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/471/hot

3. https://www.starbucks.com/rewards

4. https://moneyinc.com/the-five-most-expensive-starbucks-drinks/