For Starbucks lovers, every visit to the café feels like a mini adventure—exploring new drinks, customizing orders, and finding little ways to make the experience even better. But did you know there are secret hacks that can help you save money, enjoy exclusive perks, and enhance the flavor of your favorite drinks?
Whether you’re looking to stretch your budget, maximize your rewards, or get creative with your order, these tricks will transform your Starbucks experience. From free refills to secret menu hacks, there’s something here for every coffee enthusiast.
As part of our coffee tips section, we’ll explore some awesome coffee hacks that every Starbucks lover should know. So, grab your favorite drink, sit back, and get ready to unlock the full potential of your Starbucks visits!
1. Customize Your Drinks for Free
Starbucks allows customers to personalize their drinks in ways many people don’t realize. Instead of ordering an expensive specialty drink, start with a basic one and customize it with free add-ons like extra caramel drizzle, cinnamon powder, or a splash of milk.
Want a sweeter drink? Ask for extra pumps of syrup. Prefer something less sugary? Request fewer syrup pumps or opt for sugar-free options. You can also ask for light ice in cold drinks to get more actual liquid in your cup.
The baristas are usually happy to accommodate, so don’t be afraid to tweak your order to suit your taste!
2. Bring Your Own Cup and Get a Discount
Want to save money while being eco-friendly? Bring your own reusable cup or tumbler to Starbucks and enjoy a small discount on your drink. It might not seem like much, but if you’re a frequent visitor, those savings add up quickly.
Plus, reusable cups help reduce waste and keep your drink hot or cold for longer. If you visit Starbucks multiple times a week, this simple habit could save you a decent amount while also helping the environment.
3. Order a Short Size for a Stronger Flavor
The short size isn’t listed on the menu, but it’s available for most hot drinks. This 8-ounce cup is perfect for those who prefer a more concentrated coffee flavor without too much milk or water diluting it.
For espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, the short size delivers a richer taste because it contains the same amount of espresso as a tall but with less milk. It’s also a great way to enjoy coffee without overloading on caffeine.
For more about the different sizes offered at Starbucks – watch this video:
4. Split a Venti Drink to Save Money
Ordering a venti (20 oz) drink and splitting it into two tall (12 oz) cups can be a great money-saving hack. This trick works especially well for iced drinks—just ask for an extra cup with ice, pour half of your drink in, and you’ll have two smaller drinks for less than the price of two talls.
Perfect for sharing with a friend or saving half for later. You can also ask for a second lid if you want to take your extra drink to go.
For more about the venti size drinks – watch this video:
5. Enjoy Free Refills While You Relax
If you love hanging out at Starbucks, here’s a perk you might not know about—free refills. When you’re sipping on a brewed coffee or tea and don’t feel like leaving just yet, you can get a refill at no extra cost if you’re a Starbucks Rewards member.
The best part? You don’t even need to order the same drink—you can start with a cold brew and switch to an iced tea for your refill. Small perks like this make every visit more rewarding, especially if you enjoy spending time at Starbucks with a book or your laptop.
If you haven’t taken advantage of Starbucks free refills yet, it’s definitely worth trying on your next visit.
6. Make Your Own Secret Menu Drinks
While Starbucks has a secret menu, it’s not officially recognized. But that doesn’t mean you can’t order custom drinks. If you find a recipe online, just tell your barista exactly what you want—like a vanilla bean frappuccino with a shot of espresso for a homemade “Undertow.”
Watch this video to learn how to make the vanilla bean frap:
Some other popular secret menu drinks include:
- Pink Drink with Matcha Cold Foam – A fruity refresher with a creamy, earthy twist
- Iced Chai Latte with Pumpkin Cold Foam – Perfect for fall lovers
- Butterbeer Frappuccino – A caramel-based frappuccino inspired by the famous Harry Potter drink
Get creative and experiment with flavors—there’s no limit to what you can create.
7. Ask for Light Ice to Get More Drink
Iced drinks often come with a lot of ice, meaning you get less actual liquid. To get more drink for your money, simply ask for “light ice.”
This hack works especially well with iced lattes, iced coffees, and refreshers, which typically have a high ice-to-liquid ratio.
8. Use Starbucks’ Secret “No Water” Trick for a Stronger Taste
Most iced teas at Starbucks are made with a tea concentrate diluted with water. If you want a stronger, bolder flavor, simply ask for “no water.”
This hack works great for drinks like the Iced Passion Tango Tea or the Iced Green Tea, giving you a more potent, flavorful tea at no extra cost.
9. Turn a Latte into a Cheaper Iced Coffee
Craving an iced latte but don’t want to pay the higher price? Order an iced coffee with a splash of milk instead. You’ll get a similar taste for a fraction of the cost.
Another trick? Order an Americano with a splash of milk—it has the same espresso base as a latte but costs less.
10. Take Advantage of Happy Hour Deals
Starbucks occasionally runs Happy Hour promotions where you can get buy-one-get-one-free deals on drinks. These events aren’t always advertised in stores, so the best way to stay updated is by signing up for Starbucks Rewards and keeping an eye on their app notifications.
Happy Hour is usually held on select Thursdays, but the schedule can change, so make sure you check your app frequently.
Final Thoughts
With these simple Starbucks hacks, you can enjoy your coffee while saving money, getting extra perks, and making your drinks taste even better. Whether it’s customizing your order, maximizing rewards, or learning insider tricks, these tips will help you get the most out of every Starbucks visit.
So, next time you step into your favorite Starbucks, try one of these hacks and see how it transforms your experience.
What’s your favorite Starbucks trick? Let us know in the comments!
Business woman. Traveler. Self-Declared Host. If you’re here, you know the amazing, hits-the-spot feeling of good coffee. The key to my heart (and to keeping the engine running) is coffee, and I’ve sipped and savored A LOT of coffee over the years and around the world. I’m on a mission to bring great coffee and the warm fuzzy feeling of coffee culture into your home and life, every cup, every day, every time.
