Starbucks is the world-renowned coffee chain that has become famous for its delicious and inventive beverages. From their signature Peppermint Mocha to their classic lattes, Starbucks is known for offering a wide variety of caffeinated concoctions to suit everyone’s taste.
As Starbuck continues to magnify and build more locations, its menu keeps getting larger. Nowadays, Starbucks is a global name for providing rich dark roast coffee, teas, juices and nutritious meals in an inviting environment.
William E. Lewis Jr.’s 2018 order of the illustrious 240-ounce Super Venti Flat White from Starbucks set a world record as the most expensive drink ever purchased at an whopping $148.99! This divine brew contained no fewer than 170 shots of espresso and 11,000 milligrams of caffeine – all served in one immense cup. Truly one for the books!
When Lewis added coconut milk to his beverage, the cashier was unable to apply his Starbucks rewards. But this wasn’t the first time he faced what people now call “The Starbucks Challenge”. Back in 2014, Lewis ordered a $83.75 coffee containing 17 pumps of vanilla syrup, mocha green tea and even matcha powder! His courage surely paid off then, but will it do so once again?
Today, in this article, we are going to talk about the Top 10 Most Expensive Starbucks Drinks Ever Ordered!
If you aren’t craving for Coffee Yet, this list of Top 10 Most Expensive Starbucks coffee might do the job!
10. Sexogintuple Vanilla Bean Mocha Frappuccino
Cost of drink – $54.75
In tenth place on the list of most expensive Starbucks drinks lies the Sexogintuple Vanilla Bean Mocha Frappuccino. This outlandish title may sound intimidating, but Andrew Chifari experienced it first-hand back in 2014 and lived to tell about it!
On the glorious sunny day of May 2014, Chifari ordered a whopping 128-ounce of delectable vanilla bean frappuccino that would have cost an astonishing $54.75!
Ironically, Starbucks didn’t have the glassware for Chifari drink, and had to bring his own glass for it. Well, his order wouldn’t just fit in a glass either.
Excitedly, Andrew brought his 3.7-liter container and Starbucks gold member loyalty card, and was ready to place an order for his unique coffee blend.
This drink packed an espresso-fueled punch with 60 shots, and was deliciously topped off with whipped cream and a decadent chocolate-and-caramel syrup drizzle.
@Starbucks @starbucksgold Most expensive Starbucks drink ever. $54.75. it has 60 shots, 128oz glass. #NewRecord pic.twitter.com/GBMpg01eyi
— Andrew Chifari (@ACIFH) May 25, 2014
The extravagant and pricey “Sexagintuple Vanilla Bean Mocha Frappuccino” was the most expensive custom-made drink that Starbucks had ever seen when it first came into existence.
Andrew paid a sum of $54.77 Dollars for it, and it took about 5 days to finish the drink.
Was it worth it? Leave your thought in the comment section below.
9. Sameera Raziuddin’s Venti Caramel Crunch Frappuccino
Cost of drink – $57.75
Some people require a bit of added caffeine to stay alert in the morning, but few as daring as Sameera Raziuddin from Florida who went down in history for her coffee-drinking bravado.
As Sameera, a medical student, set off for classes for the day, she ordered her signature Venti Caramel Crunch Frappuccino for a quick boost. This customized beverage weighed in at an impressive 192 ounces!
Her extraordinary, custom-made Starbucks beverage set her back $57.75; it was packed with 60 shots of espresso and had generous doses caramel syrup, white mocha, Tazo chai, hazelnut and vanilla beans along with an extra drizzle of caramel – all served in a luxurious 1.5-gallon container complete with cork stopper!
For this refreshing drink, she purchased it at the Starbucks in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Athough, the drink cost her about $57.75 Dollars, Raziuddin used her Starbucks Rewards due to which she did not have to pay anything for it.
8. Jarrod’s Venti Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
Cost of drink- $71.35
Jarrod Johnson, who is known for his expensive Starbucks orders, recently bought one of the priciest Starbucks drink in the world called Venti Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. He went to his local Starbucks with a cooler to bring it home and enjoy!
On July 2nd, his birthday, he made the bold choice to order a coffee chain’s most expensive drink and ended up being nationally acclaimed as the winner of an Internet challenge.
All this occurred in the Starbucks located at Barboursville, West Virginia!
Johnson was presented with a lavish ‘birthday’ beverage from Starbucks; it included five frappucinos, 77 shots of espresso and an extended selection of syrup drizzles. Had Johnson not taken advantage of the complimentary offer from their Rewards program, this expensive custom coffee order would have cost him $71.35!
7. 101-Shot Grande Latte By William Lewis
Cost of drink – $83.75
The mere utterance of the name of the drink should make both non-coffee drinkers and coffee fanatics alike tremble in fear. But William Lewis gathered his courage to order the so called 101-Shot Grande Latte, a custom drink that cost him a whooping $83.75 Dollars!
Last October, determined to be the best in Pembroke Pines, William E. Lewis Jr., a Florida resident, ordered an outrageous Starbucks latte containing 101 espresso shots–a feat never before attempted by his competitor Sameera Raziuddin.
William was determined to conquer the notorious Starbucks’ most expensive drink challenge. He marched into the store, cup in hand and requested for a concoction of 101 shots of espresso, 17 pumps of vanilla syrup, mocha powder and matcha – all gathered together to create an unforgettable flavor-packed experience!
Winning over Raziuddin in expense, Lewis Jr. ordered a latte that would have set him back 83 dollars and 75 cents – had he not used his Starbucks Rewards!
Lewis is also part of a exceptional 5,000 elite members around the world that hold Starbucks’ Limited Edition Metal Card crafted from stainless steel.
6. Renee’s Caramel Frappuccino Drink
Cost of drink – $86.55
For some, one espresso shot isn’t enough to keep them alert – they need 100 caffeine shots to truly feel alive. There is one woman name Renee, who needed that level of caffeine shots.
Taking her coffee obsession to a whole new level Renee from NYC in March 2015, paid an eye-watering $86.55 for a single Caramel Frappuccino!
With a large mug in hand, she marched into his beloved Starbucks and fearlessly placed an order for the pricey $86.55 beverage. This creamy frappuccino was served in a large shake-style glass and topped with a luxurious mountain of whipped cream and drizzled with caramel sauce.
Renee also got this drink for free using the Starbucks rewards card. I guess, I should probably get one too!
The caramel Frappuccino was a decadent blend of coffee, whole milk, and 100 shots of espresso. To make it extra special, he added caramel syrup, whipped cream with extra ice cubes plus an additional scoop of caramel sauce. For good measure – and his own delight – he topped the beverage off with some Frappuccino chips!
5. Quad Espresso Rewards Drink
Cost of drink – $92.55
Whenever a challenge on social media becomes popular, the younger and more affluent generation eagerly take up the opportunity to try it out.
In 2015, Shaine Choen and Kiersten Vorv shared one of the most lavish and costly Starbucks drinks that money could buy.
The two girls named their creation the Rewards Drink Quad Espresso, a Starbucks drink consisting of 120 espresso shots!. They brought their enormous embossed Starbucks glass in tow, Vorv and Cohen ordered a beverage with an estimated 9,000mg of caffeine.
Just like any other mega custom Starbucks drinks, this one was costless for the two ladies – they took advantage of their Starbucks Reward birthday perk to get it for Free.
If it weren’t free, the pair would have had to shell out an expensive $92.55 for the energizing drink.
Although, Starbucks has been less than supportive of people’s record-breaking attempts, allegedly cautioning its baristas to abstain from making these supersized drinks, per the New York Post.
4. White Mocha Frappuccino Ordered by Justin
Cost of drink – $101.50
The Starbucks White Mocha Frappuccino may sound like a luxurious drink, yet you should think twice before ordering one after seeing how it was presented. At the hefty price of $101.50, this treat would be best savored in its intended condition!
A classic White Mocha Frappuccino is a beloved Starbucks favorite. But one man named Justin decided to take it up a notch and create the most expensive Starbucks drink ever, costing him $101.50!
Justin managed to locate a store that was willing to prepare his gigantic drink in spite of their policy against it, and an eager crowd quickly formed around the counter. He arrived at his local Starbucks with an enormous plastic container in hand, ready to order this unique drink of caffeine bliss. His drink contained an outrageous 8,525 mg of caffeine when all shots and pumps were included – truly nothing short of astonishing!
His order included 112 shots of espresso, 55 pumps of Frappuccino roast, 70 pumps of white mocha and four pumps of caramel syrup. He also added five bananas and 20 grams protein powder to make the drink as nutritious as it can be.
Ironically, his order was served to him in his bright blue construction bucket. With this drink, I don’t he needs to ever visit Starbucks again, at least for the next few weeks.
3. White Mocha Frappuccino Ordered by Thomas
Cost of drink – $102.04
Thomas was determined to make the world’s most expensive Starbucks drink, and he succeeded! He found just one daring store that agreed to not only craft the beverage but also pour it into his very own metal can. Thomas had achieved what seemed impossible – one of a record-breaking drink at an outrageous price.
To ensure an ultimate blend of energizing espresso and sweet Frappuccino, he crafted a combination containing 102 shots of espresso, 54 servings of the roast beverage, 70 pumps of white mocha syrup, four pumps caramel flavoring, five mashed bananas for thickness and sweetness , 5.5 tablespoons protein powder to maximize nutrition -all topped off with extra Frappuccino chips plus liquid caramel!
Thomas’ White Mocha Frappuccino was a caffeine-lover’s dream, contained an astonishing 7,800 mg of energy after adding 102 extra shots and a healthy dose of protein.
Over the competition, his creation was more costly due to its added elements of bananas, protein and other fillings; although it had fewer shots and less caffeine than that of the previous winner.
He was able to acquire the beverage without paying a cent, thanks to his rewards card. The drink cost him $102.04 in saved money!
2. Grande Americano Ordered by YouTuber Elton
Cost of drink– $102.15
Social media influencers are sure to jump on the bandwagon if it’s a social media challenge, anticipating their share of popularity.
Elton Castee, a famous YouTuber, sought to set the Guinness World Record for most expensive Starbucks drink ever. An esteemed YouTuber with 3.6 million subscribers and formerly a Vine star, recently shared his very own $102.15 Starbucks coffee order on YouTube that went viral in no time!
Even the most die-hard Castee fans might not be aware that their beloved content creator holds the runner up title for ordering one of the priciest Starbucks beverages ever!
In 2017, Castee made history when his grande americano from Starbucks set a world record at an astounding $102.15!
As the baristas paced around, crafting Elton’s caffeinated drink, he decided to use the Death By Caffeine Calculator to calculate how many espresso shots would be lethal for him.
After that, he brought a small and almost transparent white trash bin to his closest store. Then, he requested 102 shots of espresso with some caramel drizzle to reduce the intensity of what had become an overwhelming drink for him. He and his mates attempted to share it amongst themselves but were unable to finish the beverage altogether. This one-of-a-kind experience is sure to live on forever as part of ‘Starbucks folklore.
Elton claimed he had never tried coffee before that day? Unbelievable! Unlike any of the other people present, Elton actually paid for his beverage instead of taking advantage of Starbucks’s birthday reward loophole.
1. Most Expensive Starbucks Drink, Super Venti Flat White by William Lewis
Cost of drink – $148.99
Finally, the Super Venti Flat White is the last item on this list. This extraordinary coffee costs a whopping $148.99 and was ordered by William Lewis – the same man who paid for that 101-shot Grande latte earlier!
William marched confidently into his neighborhood Starbucks, an oversized coffee mug grasped firmly in his hands. Undeterred, he requested a Super Venti Flat White with the incredible amount of 170 shots of espresso and just a hint of coconut milk for flavor enhancement.
This groundbreaking coffee, consists of 170 espresso shots (or approximately 11,000 milligrams of caffeine) and a splash of coconut milk, might be the most expensive Starbucks you can order.
If you’re curious about the way the baristas at Starbucks prepared this beverage, just take a look at Lewis Jr.’s commemorative image. On his table is placed an abnormally large cup filled to its brim with frothy espresso.
Why Is Starbucks Coffee So Expensive?
Starbucks isn’t just any ordinary coffee shop; it offers drinks that are customizable to your heart’s content. The usual menu items may be similar to other chains, but you can put together a beverage with whatever ingredients and flavors you want – even if the costs of such drinks run high!
Starbucks has earned a reputation for excellence, thanks to the painstaking care they take in selecting and roasting their coffee beans. Each batch is roasted to absolute perfection, allowing customers around the world to enjoy an incomparable flavor experience.
Although this quality comes at a price, the cost of labor should not be ignored. Starbucks employs experienced baristas who take their time to perfect each cup of coffee– an essential factor that adds to its overall cost.
Beyond the two aforementioned reasons, Starbucks is also known for their costly rent rates. As they favor prime real estate locations, this cost must be recovered from customers in terms of heightened prices.
