Starbucks is the most popular coffee chain worldwide, with tens of thousands of stores across the globe.
A trend called “The Expensive Starbucks Drink Challenge” started in 2014, and before long, had young and old running to their local Starbucks to order the most expensive drinks they could imagine.
The race was on, with everyone wanting to find out: what is the most expensive drink you can order at Starbucks? We’ve searched far and wide to bring you the answer to this question.
What’s With the Starbucks Obsession?
Starbucks started in 1971 with a single shop in Seattle. Today, it has 32,000 stores in 80 countries. It is the most popular coffee store in the world, which is accessible to many and a firm favourite of millions. Since the chain is so popular, it is no surprise that there would be a challenge associated with it at some point.
The Expensive Starbucks Drink Challenge started in 2014 when competitors attempted to order the most expensive Starbucks drink possible. Coffee lovers across the US ran to their local stores with unique orders that would be more expensive than other customers.
The Expensive Starbucks Drink Challenge led to some fantastic coffee combos and seriously high-priced concoctions.
The Most Expensive Starbucks Drinks
The Sexogintuple Vanilla Bean Mocha Frappuccino
Coming in at number ten on our list of most expensive Starbucks drinks is the Sexogintuple Vanilla Bean Mocha Frappuccino.
Ordered by Andrew Chifari in 2014, the drink contained a shot of vanilla and 60 shots of espresso and followed the delicious Vanilla Bean Mocha Frappuccino recipe. Fortunately, Andrew had his wits about him and took his own 125-ounce container to transport his Starbucks drink home.
This expensive Starbucks drink cost the customer nearly $55 - a pretty penny for only one drink.
That’s one way to get your daily coffee fix!
60 Shot Venti Caramel Crunch Frappuccino
This expensive Starbucks drink came in at $57.75. This was a considerable amount of money for the then-medical student Sameera Raziuddin who was trying her best to keep the study train running.
This custom creation contained vanilla beans, white mocha, soy milk, hazelnut, Tazo chai, caramel syrup, and, of course, 60 shots of espresso. The med student very smartly took her 1.5-gallon container - with a dispenser for the guzzling to begin.
The most surprising aspect? Sameera didn’t pay a single cent for her drink, swiping her Starbucks loyalty card and using a free drink coupon. We don’t know if Sameera managed to finish the drink, but rumour has it you can still catch her running circles around the Pembroke Pines Starbucks store with a caffeine rush!
77 Shot Venti Mocha Cookie Frappuccino
In October 2014, Jarrod Johnson ordered an expensive Starbucks drink in West Virginia. The drink contained an astounding 77 shots of espresso - enough to give Sonic the Hedgehog a run for his money. The drink also had drizzles of caramel and hazelnut, with some extra vanilla beans. All in all, the massive concoction cost $71.35 - a new world record at the time.
Jarrod Johnson also didn’t pay anything towards the drink, using his Starbucks birthday reward - that’s one big birthday present.
The 100+1 Shot Grande Latte
The seventh most expensive Starbucks drink ever ordered was by William Lewis. But hold onto your coffee mugs - this isn’t the last you’ll hear of Mr. Lewis. His first attempt at the expensive Starbucks drink challenge saw him order a 101-shot mega latte with an added 17 pumps of vanilla syrup.
Lewis brought along his own giant coffee mug, which almost became a trademark for the coffee record-setter. The coffee price tag? $83.73, which for the average coffee drinker, is unthinkable. But fortunately for him, Lewis got the drink free of charge with his Starbucks Reward Card.
Caramel Frappuccino with 100 shots
Renee C from New York walked into their local Starbucks and ordered a drink costing $86.55, with 100 shots of espresso. The drink comprised vanilla syrup, whole milk, caramel sauce, extra ice, and whipped cream. Renee ordered additional Frappuccino chips to give it even more kick.
The amount of sugar in this drink is out of this world - possibly enough to cause a sugar overdose with one sip. However, the caffeine content - 6,400mg - is what would get you excited.
The 120-shot Rewards Drink Quad Espresso
This expensive Starbucks drink comes in at number five with a price tag of $92.55. It was ordered by two young girls, Kiersten Vorv and Shaine Choen, in Maryland.
The Quad Espresso offers a severe caffeine kick with 120 shots of espresso with nothing else to sweeten the deal. The girls took a large Starbucks glass along, and the drink fit perfectly. Rather than let it get cold, the two shared the coffee with two straws.
We don’t know about you but just thinking of a double espresso starts giving us heart palpitations… let alone 120.
The girls used their birthday reward drinks coupon. Regardless of the price, we’re so surprised neither coffee guzzler suffered any adverse effects from the 7,680mg of caffeine.
182-Shot Venti White Mocha Frappuccino
Ordered by Justin in Stratford, Connecticut, to reach the most expensive Starbucks drink ever ordered, this white mocha mega coffee cost a staggering $101.50. The drink contained 70 pumps of white mocha, 55 servings of frappuccino roast coffee, five bananas (enough to cover your five-a-day of fruit and veg), and a heavy drizzle of caramel syrup.
Starbucks baristas made the 182-shot Frappuccino in the customer’s personal large blue bucket, which unfortunately made it look more like sludge than a coffee. Regardless, he invited a whole bunch of friends to enjoy the coffee. Plus, he didn’t pay for it, opting to use his reward points.
Venti White Mocha Frappuccino by Thomas
This high-priced drink takes first place for the most unique container, with the customer, Thomas bringing a giant metal milk bucket for his expensive drink.
The White Mocha Frappucino cost $102.04 and had 102 shots of espresso, 70 pumps of white mocha, 54 Frappuccino roast, four pumps of caramel syrup, five bananas, and just over five tablespoons of protein powder.
Plus, he ordered a side of Frappuccino chips. Something tells us this guy has a profound love for the Frappuccino.
The drink came with a hefty serving of ice, putting this drink in the top spot for the most expensive Starbucks iced coffee in the world. Yet again, he didn’t swipe his card but instead used his birthday rewards coupon.
Elton Castle and the Grande Americano
Coming in at number two on the list of most expensive Starbucks drinks is the Grande Americano - emphasis on Grande.
A famous Vine star, Elton Castle, ordered a $102 drink and took his Youtube followers on the journey, with the Starbucks escapade having over 1.6 million views. The star settled with a white trash bin from Target as his container to make the drink look that much more absurd.
The costly drink contained 102 espresso shots and a simple drizzle of caramel. However, this drink was massive, with four people, including Elton, not putting a dent in the coffee. In the video, they offered the coffee to people on the street, but they couldn’t even get past the halfway mark.
Super Venti Flat White by William Lewis
We’ve finally made it to the top spot, and this is where we meet Mr. Lewis and his giant coffee mug again. This man was on a serious mission to break his own record and all other records, and he did just that.
The most expensive Starbucks drink ever ordered by a single person cost $148.99 and was a Super Venti Flat White with an astounding 170 espresso shots. The drink contained coconut milk to improve the taste and to take the price over the top. The flat white held close to 11,000mg of caffeine.
But the good news? Lewis shared the drink with his friends. A good thing considering that just 1,000mg of caffeine can cause heart palpitations.
Starbucks Secret Menu
If you’re a coffee lover, there is no doubt you’ve heard of the Starbucks Secret Menu, which features some strange drink combinations that aren’t available on the regular menu.
Here are some cool ones to try and how to order them:
Skittles Frappuccino
If you’re a sweet lover, then this is a must-try.
How to order: Order a Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino with no classic syrup. Add on two to four pumps of vanilla, depending on your drink size. Lastly, add on raspberry syrup, 0.5-1.5, depending on the drink size.
Purple Drink
This is a bright drink with lovely fresh fruity flavours.
How to order: Get a Passion iced tea and add berries, vanilla syrup, and soy milk.
Nutella Drink
If you’re into chocolate, then this is your go-to.
How to order: Get a Caffe Misto and add one hazelnut syrup and one pump of chocolate syrup. Top it off with some caramel drizzle.
Orange Creamsicle Frappuccino
Craving something fruity and sweet? Give this one a go - a bit more complex than some other drinks, but well worth the effort.
How to order:
- Get a mango orange juice up to the first line
- Add some milk to the second line
- Be sure to ask for a cream base, two to four pumps, depending on the size
- Add some classic syrup - again, two to four pumps
- Lastly, blend with ice
You can also add some cream if you enjoy it.
Nutter Butter Frappuccino
If you love peanut butter, we recommend giving this drink a go.
How to order: Get a Hazelnut Frappuccino with one to three pumps of toffee nut syrup and cinnamon dolce syrup, depending on your drink size. Blend all that in with one whole banana.
Key Lime Pie Frappuccino
Key Lime Pie is a classic dessert and makes for one fantastic beverage.
How to order: start with a Cool Lime Refresher made with whole milk. Then add half to one and a half pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, one to three pumps of vanilla, and one to three pumps of white mocha. Lastly, get some whipped cream added before blending.
FAQ
What is the most expensive Starbucks drink?
On the regular menu, about fifteen drinks cost $5.95 each; some include the Iced Honey Almond milk Flat White, Apple Crisp Crème Frappuccino, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, and Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato. However, you can always add extra shots of coffee, cream and syrups to up the price.
Who bought the most expensive Starbucks drink?
William Lewis bought a Super Venti Flat White with 170 espresso shots for $148.99.
Why is Starbucks so expensive?
Starbucks drinks off the regular menu aren’t any more expensive than other coffee chains. However, when you start adding in extra shots and pumps of syrup, it does start to add up. Regular milk alternatives like coconut milk can also cost more.
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