The 17 Best-Value Drinks To Order At Starbucks

Navigating the plethora of options at Starbucks can sometimes feel daunting. Before you realize it, you might find yourself stepping out of the store with an extravagantly priced blended concoction in your hand, wondering whether the taste will justify the cost. This scenario is all too familiar for many Starbucks customers, especially if you're a novice to the menu or an infrequent visitor. We empathize.

Rest assured that Starbucks offers an array of beverages that are not only delightful but also won't break the bank. Plus, some hidden value gems on the Starbucks menu often go unnoticed because they don't share the limelight with their more ostentatious or viral counterparts. To unearth the best value at a global chain like Starbucks, it often requires a bit of patience to familiarize yourself with the menu to make informed financial decisions. Please note that throughout these comparisons and menu analyses, the prices of items are based on the prices they were at the time this article was written. Please also be aware the prices near you may vary (we found out the hard way!).

If you prefer the bold espresso flavors, try the Starbucks espresso macchiato. Unlike the espresso con panna, where your espresso is paired with a dollop of vanilla-flavored whipped cream, the espresso macchiato takes a simpler approach.

In an espresso macchiato, your barista will top your potent espresso shots with just a dash of foamed milk. This results in a beverage that retains the robust character of the espresso, softened slightly with the creamy addition of milk. However, since no sweetener is added, you get to appreciate the true, unadulterated essence of the espresso.

What's more, the espresso macchiato costs the same as an espresso con panna, so you can enjoy this stripped-down, yet flavorful, espresso drink without incurring any extra expense. Of course, you can add some flavoring or alternative milk if you wish, but that will, of course, cost a little more than the drink will with just steamed milk and espresso.

When exploring the assortment of chai-based beverages at Starbucks, your primary options boil down to two quintessential drinks: chai latte and chai tea. Each boasts its unique preparation method and flavor profile, thus offering a divergent experience for your taste buds.

The chai latte is a luscious treat crafted using a rich, spicy chai concentrate and steamed milk. This results in a creamy beverage that seamlessly melds the comforting warmth of chai with the smoothness of milk, creating a luxuriously frothy delight.

On the other hand, its chai tea is a nod to the traditional roots of this beverage. Brewed using chai tea bags, this option provides a taste of chai's heritage. The preparation involves steeping the tea in hot water, which enhances the bold flavors of the spices and gives you a more genuine chai experience. Plus, you will find that this drink is generally around $2 cheaper than its latte counterpart. 

If you find that an iced tea just won't suffice in fulfilling your caffeine requirements, then an iced coffee stands as your next logical choice at Starbucks. You can enjoy a chilled, sweetened iced coffee for just an additional dollar compared to the iced tea. This invigorating beverage is sure to deliver that much-needed caffeine kick, providing you with a big energy boost to power through your day.

Moreover, the economics of Starbucks rewards make this a savvy choice. An iced coffee and an iced tea only require a balance of 100 stars in your Starbucks rewards account for a complimentary drink. This is in contrast to other handcrafted beverages, such as lattes, which demand a higher tally of 200 stars. Hence, an iced coffee serves as an effective strategy to balance your caffeine needs, spending, and reward point utilization. By choosing an iced coffee, you effectively halve the reward points you'd need to use for a free drink compared to some of the more elaborate beverages. 

As the autumn leaves start to fall, many yearn for the comforting embrace of warm apple cider. Starbucks caters to this seasonal craving with its delightful caramel apple spice drink. This comforting beverage is a blend of cinnamon dolce syrup and steamed apple juice, topped with a cloud of whipped cream and a tantalizing swirl of caramel. Not only is it a taste of autumn in a cup, but it's also a fantastic, kid-friendly beverage option. However, for budget-conscious people, there's a savvy trick to enjoy a similar treat at a reduced cost.

Rather than ordering the caramel apple spice directly, try requesting steamed apple juice with an addition of cinnamon dolce syrup and a crown of whipped cream. This customized concoction closely mirrors the taste profile of the caramel apple spice but will save you a dollar, even with the flavored syrup and whipped cream additions.

However, note that if you're placing your order through the app, you won't have the option to add the caramel drizzle. But fear not; if you're ordering in person, you can request this extra touch. 

In Starbucks' myriad coffee-centric offerings, it can be easy to overlook the equally enticing range of tea beverages. However, these should not be left in the shadows, as they present some of the most cost-effective choices available at the coffeehouse giant. One of the reasons we love tea at Starbucks is because the pricing is generally more wallet-friendly compared to the traditional latte. And the array of tea options is far from limited: from invigorating green teas to calming herbal infusions, there's a blend to suit every tea drinker.

Furthermore, Starbucks collaborates with Teavana for its hot tea range. Teavana is renowned for its high-quality, flavorful tea blends, ensuring that your hot tea selection at Starbucks is not just affordable but also delectable. Whether you prefer the classic earl grey or the soothing Peach Tranquility, you will find a delicious Teavana tea to fit your taste. Please be warned, however, this tea comes out pipping hot, so give it a moment to rest before enjoying it.

If you find yourself craving a revitalizing, light-on-the-palate drink, we firmly believe that the iced tea offerings at Starbucks are an unbeatable choice. This chilled, fragrant beverage is refreshingly delightful on top of being a great deal. The iced tea is typically a full dollar cheaper than the iced coffee, making it a budget-friendly option for your caffeinated needs.

Even more appealing is the free refill option available with your iced tea. Yes, that's right; Starbucks offers complimentary refills on their iced tea. Simply finish your initial drink, then approach the counter with your Starbucks rewards information on your phone and ask for your refill. This policy is a delicious way to extend your Starbucks experience without stretching your budget.

What is the perfect way to maximize this perk? Leisurely sip on your iced tea while perusing the aisles of Target. Once you've finished your drink, head back to the Starbucks counter within the store and ask for your free refill.

Flat whites hold a special place in our hearts when it comes to Starbucks offerings. They present a delicious and robust coffee experience that's a bit different from your regular latte. The key distinctions lie in the type of espresso shot and milk used in the preparation. In Starbucks flat white, baristas employ a ristretto shot, which is a concentrated, smaller volume of coffee that packs a richer taste. The drink is prepared with whole milk instead of 2% for the milk component, giving it a creamier texture and a more luxurious taste.

While a classic flat white is undeniably delightful, for a mere 30 cents more you can introduce a unique twist to your drink by ordering a Honey Almondmilk Flat White instead. This drink, by default, is made with almond milk and sweetened with a touch of honey. This customization creates an intriguing flavor profile and offers a delectable alternative for those steering clear of dairy. The result is a rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious beverage.

If blended lemonades don't quite tickle your fancy, don't worry. Another delightful option awaits you at Starbucks: the iced lemonade. Often, when we're contemplating an iced tea lemonade or a Refresher lemonade, we're really seeking a super-chilled, fruit-filled beverage to satiate our thirst. Fortunately, achieving this can be far less expensive by simply ordering an iced lemonade.

Moreover, the beauty of Starbucks' iced lemonade is that it can be customized with any additional syrups or inclusions of your choice. Whether you fancy a hint of raspberry or a splash of peach, these additions can infuse your drink with a unique flavor twist. Even with these added customizations, your personalized iced lemonade will still be more economical than a Refresher lemonade. We highly recommend ordering your lemonade in either a Venti or Trenta size. With the amount of ice included in these drinks, the liquid proportion can be slightly disappointing unless you end up ordering a bigger size.