10 Best Starbucks Hacks for Cheaper Drinks (That Actually Work!)

Starbucks is one of my favorite coffee planes, but let’s be honest—those daily visits can add up fast. The good news? You don’t have to give up your favorite iced latte or refreshers to save money.

If you are trying to cut spending and save money, these Starbucks hacks for cheaper drinks will help you stretch your coffee budget without sacrificing flavor or fun.

Let’s dive into the best insider tricks to get more Starbucks for less!

☕ 1. Order a Short Instead of a Tall

It’s not on the menu, but Starbucks offers a smaller size than a Tall—called the Short (8 oz). You’ll save money, and it still comes with the full espresso shot! Perfect for cappuccinos and lattes when you want the taste without the price tag.

📌 Hack: Order a “short vanilla latte” instead of a tall and save 10–15%.

2. Ask for Light Ice in Iced Drinks

Starbucks fills your cup generously with ice, which means less actual drink. By asking for light ice, you get more of what you paid for—whether it’s a Refresher, cold brew, or iced tea.

💡 Bonus tip: Ask for no water in Refreshers or tea drinks for stronger flavor. Which then you can turn them into 2 or even 3 drinks by adding Ice at home.

This obviosly only apply to some stores, because some stabrucks store charge extra when we ask for no ice. It all depends, but you can try!

3. Use the Starbucks App for Rewards

The Starbucks Rewards App is your best friend if you’re trying to save money. You earn stars for every purchase, which you can redeem for free drinks, bakery items, and more.

25 stars = free customizations (like extra shots or syrups)
100 stars = free coffee, tea, or bakery item
200 stars = free handcrafted drinks (lattes, Frappuccinos, etc.)

🎉 Don’t forget: you get a free drink on your birthday! when you are starbucks rewards member

4. Split a Venti With a Friend

A Venti-sized drink is often more than enough for two people. Order one drink and ask for an extra cup—you’ll both get a decent-sized portion for the price of one.

💸 Try this with iced drinks like cold brews, lemonades, or refreshers.

5. Order a Triple Espresso Over Ice (and DIY Your Latte)

Want a latte for under $3? Try this genius budget barista move:

Order a Triple Espresso over ice in a grande cup
Add your own milk, cream, or sweetener at the condiment bar

🔥 It tastes just like an iced latte—without the $6+ price tag.

6. Get Creative With Refresher Hacks

Skip the pricy Refreshers by building your own. For example:

Order an Iced Passion Tango Tea with light lemonade and strawberry purée
Add a splash of apple or peach juice for a DIY fruity drink
Ask for it without water for a stronger flavor punch

These combos can cost up to $2 less than regular Refreshers.

7. Bring Your Own Cup (and Save 10¢)

Starbucks encourages sustainability, and they’ll knock off 10 cents when you bring your own clean cup or tumbler. It’s not a lot of a saving money-wise, but we are also being more climate-conscious.

8. Customize an Iced Latte for Less

Instead of ordering a specialty drink, order a basic iced latte and add your twist:

Order a Grande Iced Latte
Add 1 pump of syrup or cinnamon from the bar
Total: under $4 vs. $6+ for a flavored latte
OR order an Iced coffee and make two lattes by adding your own milk at home!

9. Skip the Whip & Extras

Those little additions add up! Skip:

Whipped cream
Extra syrup pumps
Extra caramel drizzle

Each can cost up to 60¢, so being selective saves you money (and sugar intake).

10. Use Gift Cards + Discounted Deals

Check apps like Raise, Rakuten or discounted Starbucks gift cards. You can also reload your app balance using gift cards bought on sale to still earn rewards.

✨ Final Thoughts: Small Changes = Big Savings

Check out this article where we show you 20 starbucks drinks that are $5 or less and how to order them!

With these 10 Starbucks hacks, you can still enjoy your daily coffee run without overspending. By getting smart about how and what you order, you’ll save money and maybe even discover some new favorite drinks along the way.