Want to find some cheap Starbucks drinks? Jump into our guide and check out our top picks of the best Starbucks drinks for those on a budget.
Spending some serious bucks at Starbucks every day? I feel you!
Yes, their drinks are really tasty, but a lot of them are pricey too.
But don’t despair. After hours of research, I found a lot of cheap Starbucks drinks and listed them for you.
So, follow me on this road to more affordable options in Starbucks.
Let’s dive in!
Cheapest Drinks at Starbucks: Top 19 Picks
If part of your daily routine is hitting your local Starbucks, you know that it can impact your budget.
Starbucks has a reputation as an expensive place.
As much as I love some of their drinks (especially those fancy ones), I must agree. Some of them are quite a pricey treat.
But luckily, Starbucks has some really affordable drinks on its menu. You just need to know what to look for.
Regarding those fancier drinks, I can give you one piece of advice – take a smaller cup! No, really, the difference between Grande (16oz) and Tall cup (12oz) is not so big.
Now, let me introduce you to the humble choices you can make at Starbucks!
Espresso
Basic espresso is, as expected, the cheapest coffee on Starbucks’ menu. The standard order size is two shots of their signature Espresso Roast.
To be fair, there is a neverending debate: is Starbucks espresso good or not?
While it definitely isn’t the best espresso shot you’ll try in your life, it’s still more than enough when you need an energy boost in the morning. Plus it’s a great low-calorie Starbucks drink for those who watch their calories.
Espresso Con Panna
If a straight espresso shot is too bold for you, I suggest you try Espresso Con Panna. You’ll get a beautiful snowball of Starbucks’ sweetened vanilla whipped cream on top of your espresso.
This one is super delicious and really affordable.
Brewed coffees
Of course, Starbucks offers freshly brewed drip coffees. A new batch is brewed all the time, so you can always get a fresh, steaming cup.
They have several different roasts like Veranda blend, Featured Starbucks dark roast, or Pike Place roast. And, if you’re avoiding caffeine, Decaf Pike Place roast is your option.
And even the Venti cup of brewed coffee is still pretty cheap.
Caffè Latte
Sometimes I love my coffee with plenty of milk. In those situations, my go-to choice is Latte.
The robust, dark espresso shot is mixed with the steamed milk of your choice (the standard version is with 2% milk). And then topped with a light layer of milk foam.
Okay, Latte is a bit more expensive at Starbucks. But ordering a smaller cup, like Grande, can save you some bucks. And since Grande is prepared with the same amount of espresso as Venti, you won’t be caffeine-deprived.
Caffè Misto
A more humble version of the Latte is definitely Starbucks’ Caffè Misto.
This is the straightforward 1:1 combination of their freshly brewed drip coffee and steamed 2% milk, with a thin layer of milk foam. As always you can customize your coffee: select the type of coffee and milk to suit your preferences.
Hot Tea
Poor regular tea is often very unfairly overlooked. However, tea at Starbucks is very tasty and, even better, healthy. Plus, it probably won’t break your budget.
At Starbucks, they have a wide offer of teas: black, green, herbal, and even chai tea (but more on that later).
You can find a lot of different, interesting flavors like:
- Honey Citrus Mint Green Tea
- Royal English Breakfast Tea
- Peach Tranquility
- Emperor’s Cloud & Mist
Hot Chocolate
Children’s all-time favorite, as well for some grown-ups – Her Majesty, hot chocolate!
There’s no better thing on cold days than a cup of hot chocolate. And in Starbucks, they made it over the top. It’s made with steamed milk and Mocha sauce. On top of that goes whipped cream and Mocha drizzles.
The price is lower compared to some other drinks, but you can even order Short or Kid’s cup size and save some more.
Iced or Steamed Apple Juice
One more non-coffee drink from Starbucks is Apple Juice. It’s amazing, with a rich and intense taste. The secret is they make it from 100% pure apple juice.
You can have it with ice or steamed. I prefer it hot because it is not so usual and it’s perfect for cold days.
Needless to say, it’s also quite cheap compared to other delights over there.
Iced Coffee (with milk)
Iced Coffee is one of the staples in Starbucks.
It’s simple coffee. It’s made from freshly brewed Starbucks Iced Coffee Blend, sweetened with Classic syrup, and served over ice.
If you like it with milk, there’s an option with 2% milk.
With simplicity comes a lower price, so you can easily order even the Trenta cup and not spend a fortune on it.
Coffee Frappuccino
Frappuccino is a trademarked Starbucks delicacy. This coffee-milk-ice blend became worldwide popular, and Starbucks made a handful of variations of this drink.
Of course, the original one was Coffee Frappuccino. For it, they even created a special roast, Frappuccino Roast.
It’s super refreshing and won’t empty your pockets.
Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino
Creme Frappuccino is the younger brother of Coffee Frappuccino. It’s a decaf version of it.
It combines milk, vanilla bean powder, and creme frappuccino syrup and is then blended with ice. It reminds me of a milkshake but with more texture. It’s a refreshing, decaf, and cheap option.
To be honest, Frappuccinos are one of the most expensive items on the menu. But, if you want to treat yourself to one, buy a smaller cup, and don’t miss the enjoyment.
Iced Passion Tango Tea
The shaken iced tea section of Starbucks is on fire! (See what I did there?)
They have black, green, herbal, mixed with lemonade… you name it!
Seriously, Starbucks has a crazy offer of iced teas, and you can’t tell which one is the best. Although some of them are a bit more expensive, you can find cheaper ones, which are still amazing.
One of my favorites is definitely Iced Passion Tango Tea. This vibrant tea cocktail is a blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, and apple, all together hand-shaken with ice. Seriously refreshing!
Iced Black Tea Lemonade
On the other hand, if you need something to pick you up but don’t want coffee, black tea is always a good option.
And black tea with lemonade is an amazing combination! Both are refreshing, and you will get a small caffeine kick from black tea. And best of all, it’s not too pricey.
Iced Chai Tea Latte
I love oriental flavors. So, no wonder I was immediately hooked on Chai Latte. Chai refers to the famous Masala chai, which is an Indian mixture of black tea, milk, and different spices.
So, Iced Chai Latte in Starbucks is actually a blend of black tea and spices with milk and ice. It’s not a traditional recipe, but it’s out-of-this-world tasty and refreshing.
I know it sounds a little bit unusual, but trust me and try it. You’ll thank me later.
Caffè Mocha
If you’re a fan of chocolatey drinks like me, Mocha is a cheap but delicious way to go.
Starbucks robust espresso (2 shots) is mixed with their Mocha sauce and steamed milk of your choice. As it’s not enough, you can top it with sweetened whipped cream.
Simple, but, oh, so tasty!
Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte
We already mentioned Caffè Latte, but this one deserves special mention.
The Blond Vanilla Latte is subtle but sweet with recognizable light vanilla notes.
Starbucks Blonde Espresso, together with steamed milk and vanilla syrup, creates a silky, creamy texture. It’s perfect for those who enjoy light roast.
Caramel Macchiato
This is one heavy, sweet goody for fans of caramel coffees.
Caramel Macchiato is perfect for sipping on cold rainy days.
Two espresso shots are combined with freshly steamed milk and vanilla-flavored syrup. And on top of that caramel drizzle. Caramel gives complicity and depth to it.
I know. It’s a bit more expensive than some other drinks on the list. But a Grande cup will be more than enough!
Starbucks Cold Brew (with milk)
Ah, definitely my favorite coffee at Starbucks – cold brew!
It’s truly amazing, made with a special Cold Brew Blend. They brew a fresh batch every day, patiently steeping it for 20 hours.
It’s a full-bodied brew, with a slightly sweet aroma, without any bitterness. It’s light and aromatic. Add a little bit of your preferred milk, and you’ll understand my hype!
For me, there’s no comparison between Iced coffee and Cold brew, especially at Starbucks. But you’ll have to check it out on your own.
Lemonade
How many times did you look at the Starbucks menu and totally overlook the existence of lemonade?
Yes, I get you. Who notices the lemonade beside all those other drinks?
Well, if you’re on the budget but still want something refreshing, think twice. Even lemonade from Starbucks has some special taste to it.
But I have to disappoint you. It’s not made from fresh lemons but from their special concentrate made of lemon juice, lemon oils, and sugar.
But it’s a tasty and cheap cold drink, so enjoy it!
Conclusion
So, that would be it.
Yep, Starbucks is pricey, but you definitely can find more affordable coffees and drinks.
Whether it would be some simple coffee like cold brew and Caffè Latte or some fancier drink but in a smaller cup, you won’t make a mistake.
Want to make your favorite Starbucks drink at home and save some money? Check out our Starbucks Frappuccino copycat recipe and enjoy this sweet delight without breaking the bank.
