Yeah I’m done too. Iced chai latte was almost $7 this week. I have a bit of gift cash to use up then I’m done. I get the chai concentrate and mix my own now. For a quick fix, I’m a Dutch Bros girl now!
My iced chai are in the $7-8 range too. Too much! I have to stop. Plus I’m trying to lose weight and I know mine has so much sugar because I get so many pumps of chai. But every time I buy one I’m like DEAR GOD Why am I paying $8 for this!?
I love dutch bros, but the amount of sugar they add to their drinks is soooo scary, and also, I like my coffee more coffee based. I'm not a big fan of too much sugar and milk :( dutch is still great after a few modifications, lol
They have a huge variety of sugar free (syrup) options. I think they’re a better, and healthier, option compared to Starbucks. They also have protein milk! I love Dutch Bros!
I'm not trying to argue about dutch bros lol I'm just saying. Dutch bros is good and the price is good especially since they have gigantic cups. I like drinking their sugar free strawberry soda and my boyfriend likes their protein drinks.
Yooo I wasn’t trying to argue or be negative man. I just wants sure if you knew they had sugar free options just informing and I was just saying I find them more healthier. No tense vibes here at all. All good vibes. ✌🏾Never had the sodas been meaning to try them but looovvveee the rebels! I love drinks with carbonation in them!!!
Thank you! It's just hard to understand some people's feelings through the internet since everyone always wants to argue lol. I ask for their sugar-free syrups, but I don't really like their coffees unless it's the pumpkin brulee that is my go to when they have it for fall. You should definitely try them they are super good, especially during the summer. Thank you for the good vibes ✌🏻 :)
The Tazo Concentrate (walmart or amazon folks) has completely replaced the iced or hot chai latte for me too. Now just need the perfect replacement for that damn lavender cold foam.
Also, I don't know the exact recipe, but I assume Starbucks grinds the dried lavender to a powder with sugars and a bit of salt, for that earthy taste. The color is artificial or from a different plant. It reacts very similar to butterfly tea powder, which could give it that color.
Sadly they use a lavender powder for their cold foam. But if you want to try and make something similar, you can add a couple pumps of Torino lavender syrup and some half and half, and use a milk frother to foam it.
I’ve been getting the concentrate from Costco when I go with work.
It’s $12 for 3.
Each one makes like 4-5 venti iced chai’s in the cup I have at the office, and a jug of milk is like $6.
So they’re only about $1.50 each instead of $7+ at Starbs.
I only go there now if I’m out with friends or something.
I get that. I am not a creature of habit. Lately, it’s been the protein milk mocha or raspberry lemonade. (Our weather is crazy lately, from highs of 38° to 70°!).
Fair, I don’t usually have one set drink order when I go places. And I’ve stuck to making my own coffee at home lately due to finances, so I just don’t really order coffee at Starbucks or anything now.
Yep. On the daily! Grande Vanilla sweet cream cold brew with one pump classic, one extra pump vanilla and an extra splash of half n half. Was $4.45 and now $5.45. 😩 thinking of quitting or weekends only. Anyone have any suggestions for copy cat recipes???
I’ve tried so many copycat recipes including buying the legit Starbucks syrups but unless I learn how to pull an authentic espresso shot with an espresso machine, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’ve bought a moka pot and a nespresso machine trying to replicate and I just can’t get there.
I have an authentic nice breville espresso machine, authentic starbucks syrups, high quality espresso beans from a local roasters (not starbs beans, but I imagine these are likely the same quality if not better) and I STILL can’t do it.
BOTH !!! for cold brew I usually just use the store bought stuff since I unfortunately do not have a keg set up in my apartment lol… But if you have a brand recommendation that would be amaze and the ratios for the sweet cream bc mine never comes out right :(
I only have large batch recipes, but with some math you could scale it down. I'd still brew the cold brew in a large batch, it keeps for 7 days refrigerated per sbux standard (I'd say you could probably get away with 10 go 12 unless it starts to taste odd).
Cold brew; 1 Lb of coffee, go for a darker roast, the siren has a specific blend of beans for cold brew. Grinding your own fresh is preferred, you want a coarser grind. You're going to need a big disposable filter bag (look for cold brew filter bags) and a big Tupperware or bucket. We use a 8 liter plastic food safe Tupperware and lid. Put 1lb of ground coffee into the coffee filter bag, pour 2 liters of water over the grounds in the Tupperware. Tie the bag and pour 2 more liters of water over the bag and let it sit for 24 hours. Be sure to remove the bag after 24 hours so it's not jet fuel. Use filtered water if you have access to it. The type of beans, grind of beans, and water can effect flavor.
For vanilla sweet cream it's 1 liter heavy cream, 350 ml vanilla syrup and 600 ml of 2 percent. That makes approx 2 liters of heavy cream. That is a big batch, but that is your ratio. If it doesn't get stiff when foaming (you can use an automatic hot/ cold frother or a hand frother) add more heavy cream. I'd do the math for you for a smaller batch but I am admittedly terrible at math 😅.
Vanilla syrup can be made at home, it's 1:1 cup of water and sugar, melted on the stove top til smooth. Ive found a tablespoon or more of vanilla extract added to this tastes as close to sbux as possible. Classic is just simple syrup, so leave out the vanilla.
Hopw this helps and I don't piss off any fellow baristas.
Not only is it cheaper to make your own espresso, but depending on the particulars of your setup, it will probably also produce a higher quality beverage. I got an espresso machine, and it turned me into a coffee snob real quick lol
same. i hadn’t had starbucks in so long before working here and honestly i’ve been getting drinks at work a lot less lately. i’ll grab a tea or maybe a pink drink but it’s kinda turned me off to coffee and i’ve always loved coffee. the prices plus the crazy amounts of sugar in everything makes me nauseous just thinking about it.
No fr I’m constantly helping customers out with prices and being like hey u should order it this way! Or i find myself apologizing for the price cuz I’m like sorry 😬 I def wouldn’t pay that and that’s why I work here cuz at least I get it free 🙈
Helped a person who ordered 2 sandwiches and 2 brownies and I say "okay your total is 22...87.." and I'm thinking to myself holy fuck that's so expensive
I used to think it was a little ridiculous when I would spend $17 on two drinks, egg bites, and a bakery item but now it’s ridiculous. I refuse to spend $30 for 2 drinks and 2 sets of egg bites because I can go to a sit down restaurant for the same. I have a keurig, a French press, and an espresso machine. I also have the cold foam blending system for my Vitamix because I can make my own cold foam as well. It’s no longer a fun little daily treat to do with my kid who was the unofficial Starbucks baby of our location and is now 6. Our location opened just after she was born and I went in almost every day with her until Covid shut it down
Last week, I cringed when someone modified their brown sugar espresso, a venti, a can't remember what she added, but the total was almost 12 dollars for one drink. Also one time, someone ordered a venti latte and they changed the milk and added vanilla or something, and it was 8 to 9 dollars
yup, rang up 2 brown sugars today with customs and for 2 drinks it was $20.10. and i told the customer that was too much for 2 drinks.
but we’re getting that $20.25 pay now ig (california)
I could never really make syrups work for me. I just get different flavors of Chobani creamers, both dairy and non dairy. The sweet cream is my go too.
I just can't find a dairy free creamy component my body dislikes emulsifiers & dairy so have to decide if I want to buy the high end, high fat coconut milk. sometimes I just take a lactaid which kind of covers it.
I blew out the remaining balance on my gold card (less then $15 bucks) and all my stars (a little over 1,000). I officially broke up about a week ago.
Finally just priced me out, I’ve been refocusing and deciding if things are a “want” or “need”. It’s no longer a want and I definitely don’t need it so away it goes.
Increasing prices and decreasing pumps of the syrups that enter the cup lmao
Starbucks has lost it touch, you’re better off supporting a local coffee shop that actually cares about their employees and craft (many local cafes are like this if you look hard enough)
Not that I'm defending them or anything because I agree with OP, but tbh even local independent coffee shops are $6-$8, at least $5 before a milk uncharge that's at least $1.
I guess what reeled me into SB is at least I can get points for later.
But deciding on a purchase these days are definitely more of treat than a daily ritual.
The points are cool. Especially when you can get extra stars for ordering certain items. But now getting the 200 stars required to earn a free drink is impossible for me. I don’t think I’ve reached it once since it changed from 150 to 200 🥲
I quit on Monday when my venti iced coffee with no classic jumped to $5.25. I’d already been paying $4.75 for it (even though in my head it was still $3.45, which is probably why I kept getting it), but there was something about seeing that 5 in front that felt like a slap in the face. I think a big part of it is I know that I’m subsidizing so much of the tolerance for gracious remakes on other people’s drinks (and Starbucks does, too—my drink only costs 100 stars but is more expensive in dollars than other drinks that cost 200 stars).
Between this latest price hike and the sunsetting of the dining rooms, it’s clear that Starbucks has moved on, and its past differentiator (being an approachable “cool” coffee shop) has now been superseded by a luxury status habit—Starbucks has realized that they can keep raising prices way higher than a lot of other fast food chains can, and their core customer base will keep paying because they’re afraid that quitting based on price will make them feel poor.
your drink isn't more expensive because other people's drinks get screwed up and need to be remade. starbucks profits have been increasing every year, they're doing really well. it's pure greed.
I went to a Starbucks in San Jose, CA last week and they have a sign on their door saying they are "Grab & Go" only now. They've removed all indoor seating and the entire place was just completely empty. I'd link a photo that I took if I could; it was so eerie.
I'm guessing for this location that it had to do with homeless folks. In the 10 minutes I was in there, one of the baristas was knocking on the bathroom door trying to get a homeless guy out of the bathroom who had seemed to lock himself in. Right as the barista was about to force his way into the bathroom, the guy finally came out.
Just a side note…the shaken espresso drinks are meant to have the espresso shaken with ice and syrup, then are poured into the cup and topped with milk. That’s why they’re pictured layered like that too! I actually get annoyed when they’re all shaken together…but you CAN request to have the milk shaken in with everything else!
I'm so tired of customers looking at me weird asking why it's not shaken all together, like I don't mind mixing it just ask me nicely. Why do they expect it to be different than how it looks on the menu
I quit as well. Bought a semi automatic espresso machine and a commercial blender. With the new prices and a twice a day customer I have already made my money back. Plus my at home drinks are better and consistent every time.
I used to go once a week to Starbucks before the pandemic and even throughout 2021. Now I go maybe once every 3-4 months. They have lost a loyal customer in me because of these prices. I don’t get it, why not keep a customer who comes in once a week with a reasonably priced drink versus jacking the prices up and losing business.
they are a corporation, their “mission” is to “make the world a better place one cup, store, neighborhood at a time”, according to them. i think this cannot be true considering they don’t seem to care that they are losing hundreds of customers each day with the new price increases. they don’t care about one single customer because they are getting so many new ones.. as weird as it sounds, we are the busiest we’ve ever been i think..
I actually reaaaaaaaaly hate when people don’t shake refreshers or tea especially. You can truly sense/taste a difference, and it looks kinda gross when people don’t shake “drink variants” (pink drink, dragon drink, etc).
Agree, you got to agitate that mix or it would taste extra chemically. Granted I hated mixing the freeze dried fruits in. Berries being in it actually ruined the drink. Berries would have the worst texture when rehydrated.
I’m close. I’ve had to ask on multiple occasions for extra chai pumps. I get a venti iced 9 pump chai with light ice. The store I have been having to go to lately (there is construction so can’t go to my fave one) hasn’t been putting the right amount of pumps, they have the wrong collar on the pump or they’re rushing and doing half pumps. When I go to grab it I know what color it should look like and it always looks SO light. I give them the benefit of the doubt and always try it first but it tastes just like milk. So I ask for 5-6 more pumps. I’ve gotten to the point where I am ordering 11 pumps and it’s still not getting to the right color/taste.
I was a 236xxxx and I trained for 2 years. This was one thing I always stressed. Chai drinkers can tell when you rush or if you’re at the end of the amount in the tub.
Espresso drinkers too. I can tell by the weight of my cup as soon as I pick it up. Or the color of the drink, if it is an iced beverage. Number one reason I stopped going, my drinks were never made with consistently.
That’s why I stopped going to certain stores. My usual one I go to before work has construction near it so there’s no way for me to go that way so I go to this one. Looks like I’m going to have to suck it up and go through the traffic
it probably is, i know they have watered down the caramel. it’s gotten so liquidy it’s hard to make the “crosshatch” design that corporate wants us to make
Cappuccino and espresso macchiatos drinkers too.
Or when I order and espresso con pana and get a short cup full to the top with whipped cream.
Fucking hell all around.
I go to a small half-coffee shop half-art studio. Coffee not only was cheaper but 10x better than Starbucks. I always wondered why my store was so adamant about not having the shot die... it's cause their coffee quality was awful.
it is bad but you guys don’t realize that these are the prices at every coffee shop tbh. at least where i live, starbucks isn’t even the most expensive. dutch bros is about the same price too.
I went to starbucks this week and the barista rang up one of those lunch boxes and said wow, why is this so expensive? I commented it's the same as a drink and he acknowledged both are insane.
I got an inexpensive espresso machine for home, then I order a fresh bag of ground beans from Starbucks and it’s 10x better than the shaken espresso there!!! It took a couple tries to absolutely perfect it but I now prefer it — and it’s a fraction of the cost !
I stopped going when they got rid of raspberry syrup. Iced white chocolate raspberry was my go to for years, multiple times a week. Nothing else has filled the void for me.
As a barista. My biggest pet peeve is other baristas refusing to shake things. It used to be just the teas and refreshers but it's gotten so bad lately like it's not hard to shake what's already in the shaker.
I had a reward to use so I figured I would get my husband his favorite drink at the moment and it was 8.15 for a venti 😧 it was one of those oatmilk lavender with cold foam, wow. I couldn't believe it. He usually always gets an Americano so this was so pricey.
I miss when a grande latte was like 5 dollars rounded up. Now they're typically over 6. It's insane. Especially now that I've worked there and saw with my eyes that espresso and milk and syrup is just espresso, milk, and syrup. And don't get me started on those 8 dollar paninis
I’m in love with the lavender matcha. It’s so much cheaper to make my own matcha latte and add a lavender simple syrup. The syrup was $7.99 and you only use 1-2 pumps depending on the size of the latte
Similar feelings. As I used to work in starbucks - I used to buy salted chips. I would reload my card with $5. And I was able to buy chips 3 times... ($1.50/bag).
Later it went to $1.75 per bag so with the same $5 reload I was able to buy it twice...
Now they change the bag, cook it with abocado oil, and it costs $2.55...
With the same $5 reload I can buy ONE BAG...
So with same money, I was able to 3 bags... Then 2... Now only one...
JESUS CHRIST...
Customers be like “I’ll get that as a tall” and then you have to be like “okay gotcha your total is gonna be 6.45” which makes them go all “or i mean, can i have a small” and you’re like “yeah, tall is our small size. that’s the price of our small size”
I dont understand why everyone complaining about price for just starbucks when everything everywhere is so expensive. 🤷♂️ $5 foot long turned to $6 for 6inch, there used to be dollar menu’s at McD’s now the cheapest burger is $3 before tax
I work there and on my off day my sister wanted to get a drink at starbucks so i payed because i get my discount. It was just one drink, a venti strawberry açaí w strawberry puree and even after my employee discount it was almost $6. i remember when i first started working there two years ago, that drinks was almost $4 with my discount. The prices have gotten so insane im embarrassed to tell customers how much their drinks and food costs.
As a barista I’m so happy for all of you deciding to give up starbucks. It’s remarkable how quickly prices went from a few reasonable dollars to complete bullshit. A grilled cheese and a normal drink with oatmilk is like $15 now. It’s ridiculous.
I got myself a Philips machine that makes all the fancy drinks. That combined with Torani syrups. Haven’t been to a Starbucks in years.
Ps I still miss the s’mores frappe Starbucks. I’ll be back when that returns. Until then no $$$
If I didn't work there I wouldn't regularly consume I definitely wouldn't pay for a beverage with out liquor or thc in it for these prices. Because those are equivalent if not cheaper in my area and if I'm going to paying luxury prices for mediocre coffee there better be some fun shit in it.
If you ever want to splurge you could get an iced espresso i think its less than the drink you were getting and you have everything else at home to add to it for funsies!
Yeah. Their prices have become outrageous. If you have a Dutch Bros their large is is 5$ for a coffee. You go to starbucks nowadays and you spend 8$ for a coffee possible even 10+!!!
On a side note, you can get your coffee just by ordering a triple shot or double shot etc. so triple shot iced venti cup, 6 pumps white mocha, extra 2%, whip. Roughly 4.60$. Thats the price it should be! You do get less milk, though. But you can do Blonde Ristretto shots if you like it more “sweet” :)
I bought a keurig about a year ago and started making coffee at home. I now don’t even like the taste of Starbucks and I used to be an everyday gal.
That might change if they brought the VBH refresher back.
it's insane. i haven't quit yet but i'm considering it. i did go down from a venti to a grande tho.
i miss the doubleshot on ice! it was like $3 or $3.50 here in canada for a grande. such a good deal.
Yeah it’s honestly crazy. Bc even with this boycott you would think they would try to keep the little bit of guests they have but no. Instead they raise prices to their ALREADY expensive simple products. Makes no sense
I haven’t been to Starbucks since sometime in the fall. Yesterday, I discovered I hadn’t closed my bag of coffee right the other day and that the coffee was too stale for me to use the rest. I opened the Starbucks app to order my usual—a quad shot skim latte—and it was $8.45. Coffee is 20% off at Target this week, so I can buy a whole bag of my usual brand (no longer Starbucks) for less.
I haven’t bought starbucks very much for about 5 years now. I remember paying about $3.50 for a tall iced mocha (obviously many years ago) and since wages are stagnant and inflation went up so much, once it hit $5 I started cutting back.
I went last week because I had exactly 200 points and there was no way I was going to let them expire. If I do go, it’s less than before because everything seems to go up every so many months.
I order a basic shaken espresso maker mods of blonde shots, oat milk, and whatever flavoring, no classic and I think it saves about 40 cents, nothing monumental but stupid that it's cheaper for the same exact thing.
Yesterday I rang up a lady for an iced white mocha and she wanted to do almond milk cause she wanted less calories and sugar. Me being me I suggested she can sub two of the pumps of wm for sugar free vanilla, that drink ended up costing almost 8 dollars. I just took off the vanilla and made it for her because I didn’t have the heart to say the price out loud🙃
not only drinks but also syrup bottles are going from $13 to $19-25 and the product isn’t changing and the size isn’t increasing its so ridiculous to support them at this point
I will put it into perspective, when I started being a barista in 2009 a drink triple shot latte with soy (medium/16oz/grande) was anywhere between 3.75-4.50 I would have a $5 and tip the left overs, the extra shots and milk alt were .25 up charge a piece by the time I briefly left in 2015 up charge was .50.
Minimum wage was 8.55 where I live.
Same drink (I don’t go out for drinks often anymore)
7.58 so about double and min wage is now 16.28 it is just about the same price.
It still hurts a lot as I actually in reality make not much more than I did in 2014.
But the logic is hidden there
And I live blocks from a Dutch bros.
Their line is always around the block.
Even they espresso shots taste sweetened
They are popular, not for me
My 9 year old loves their drinks though so we go there as special treats for her.
If you love sweet drinks that are mostly prepared, including their soft top the are a great replacement for Starbucks.
Yeah I’m done too. Iced chai latte was almost $7 this week. I have a bit of gift cash to use up then I’m done. I get the chai concentrate and mix my own now. For a quick fix, I’m a Dutch Bros girl now!
Omg if we had Dutch bros in the east coast I’d never step foot in a sbux afain
I drove two hours the other day JUST for Dutch Bros. I was so happy 🤩
We just got a Dutch bros in florida I’m so excited!
I just saw that! I’m crying !!
There’s one in Florida, few minutes from my house and I love it. A scooters too.
My iced chai are in the $7-8 range too. Too much! I have to stop. Plus I’m trying to lose weight and I know mine has so much sugar because I get so many pumps of chai. But every time I buy one I’m like DEAR GOD Why am I paying $8 for this!?
Target sells light skinny chai concentrate. It's 45 calories. I mixed it with water and 40 calories of fat free half and half. It's very good.
the fact an iced chai is so expensive is wild. it’s a concentrate that comes premade in a box mixed with milk lol
But their prices are as bad, aren’t they?
They are cheaper and I feel like a small drink from Dutch bro is as big as a grande from Starbucks.
They are. A Dutch medium is 24oz so a Starbucks venti.
But they taste so much better 😩
No. Not nearly.
How good is Dutch Bros chai? There’s one opening up nearby me
Very good. Much more options too and their broistas (bro-istas LOL) are always upbeat and fun.
How expensive is it at DB?
I rarely spend over $5 and that’s with a tip and I never get less than a medium, which I’d say is 16 oz. They have so many flavors too!
yeah i barely spend over $4 for a quad shot, flavor, and cream. no reason to go back to the siren after losing the discount
IMO sbux has more flavor. But the iced golden Eagle chai at DBs is good if you wanna drink sugar milk (which hits sometimes hahhah)
I love dutch bros, but the amount of sugar they add to their drinks is soooo scary, and also, I like my coffee more coffee based. I'm not a big fan of too much sugar and milk :( dutch is still great after a few modifications, lol
They have a huge variety of sugar free (syrup) options. I think they’re a better, and healthier, option compared to Starbucks. They also have protein milk! I love Dutch Bros!
I'm not trying to argue about dutch bros lol I'm just saying. Dutch bros is good and the price is good especially since they have gigantic cups. I like drinking their sugar free strawberry soda and my boyfriend likes their protein drinks.
Yooo I wasn’t trying to argue or be negative man. I just wants sure if you knew they had sugar free options just informing and I was just saying I find them more healthier. No tense vibes here at all. All good vibes. ✌🏾Never had the sodas been meaning to try them but looovvveee the rebels! I love drinks with carbonation in them!!!
Thank you! It's just hard to understand some people's feelings through the internet since everyone always wants to argue lol. I ask for their sugar-free syrups, but I don't really like their coffees unless it's the pumpkin brulee that is my go to when they have it for fall. You should definitely try them they are super good, especially during the summer. Thank you for the good vibes ✌🏻 :)
The Tazo Concentrate (walmart or amazon folks) has completely replaced the iced or hot chai latte for me too. Now just need the perfect replacement for that damn lavender cold foam.
Also, I don't know the exact recipe, but I assume Starbucks grinds the dried lavender to a powder with sugars and a bit of salt, for that earthy taste. The color is artificial or from a different plant. It reacts very similar to butterfly tea powder, which could give it that color.
Just wanted to pop in here, you can get it at target too and it's usually on some kind of sale.
helpful, I’m canadian so no target, bet it’s even cheaper there 🥲
Sadly they use a lavender powder for their cold foam. But if you want to try and make something similar, you can add a couple pumps of Torino lavender syrup and some half and half, and use a milk frother to foam it.
Dutch bros is the best
What on earth is dutch bros and when are they opening up in ontario canada 😂
https://www.dutchbros.com/our-story
I’ve been getting the concentrate from Costco when I go with work. It’s $12 for 3. Each one makes like 4-5 venti iced chai’s in the cup I have at the office, and a jug of milk is like $6. So they’re only about $1.50 each instead of $7+ at Starbs. I only go there now if I’m out with friends or something.
What do you like most from Dutch bros?? I’ve been there a few times but nothing wows me. It’s too sweet.
I get that. I am not a creature of habit. Lately, it’s been the protein milk mocha or raspberry lemonade. (Our weather is crazy lately, from highs of 38° to 70°!).
Fair, I don’t usually have one set drink order when I go places. And I’ve stuck to making my own coffee at home lately due to finances, so I just don’t really order coffee at Starbucks or anything now.
Also raspberry lemonade actually sounds really good, might have to try that next time I find myself there lol
Same here. My basic order went up almost a dollar. Finishing up the gift card money and stars then just making it at home
I feel this. I used to get a venti vanilla sweet cream cold brew every day. it was 4.71. now a grande is 5.60 where I live. im done :)
In I live, price for trenta vanilla sweet cream cold brew went from 5.45 to 6.45 😩
Where I live it's still $5.45. that's my go to drink!
Yep. On the daily! Grande Vanilla sweet cream cold brew with one pump classic, one extra pump vanilla and an extra splash of half n half. Was $4.45 and now $5.45. 😩 thinking of quitting or weekends only. Anyone have any suggestions for copy cat recipes???
I have tried endless combos to make at home. it just doesn’t hit the same. if someone can give me the exact copy cat recipe ill be indebted forever
I’ve tried so many copycat recipes including buying the legit Starbucks syrups but unless I learn how to pull an authentic espresso shot with an espresso machine, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’ve bought a moka pot and a nespresso machine trying to replicate and I just can’t get there.
I have an authentic nice breville espresso machine, authentic starbucks syrups, high quality espresso beans from a local roasters (not starbs beans, but I imagine these are likely the same quality if not better) and I STILL can’t do it.
Are you looking for coldbrew or vanilla sweet cream?
BOTH !!! for cold brew I usually just use the store bought stuff since I unfortunately do not have a keg set up in my apartment lol… But if you have a brand recommendation that would be amaze and the ratios for the sweet cream bc mine never comes out right :(
I only have large batch recipes, but with some math you could scale it down. I'd still brew the cold brew in a large batch, it keeps for 7 days refrigerated per sbux standard (I'd say you could probably get away with 10 go 12 unless it starts to taste odd). Cold brew; 1 Lb of coffee, go for a darker roast, the siren has a specific blend of beans for cold brew. Grinding your own fresh is preferred, you want a coarser grind. You're going to need a big disposable filter bag (look for cold brew filter bags) and a big Tupperware or bucket. We use a 8 liter plastic food safe Tupperware and lid. Put 1lb of ground coffee into the coffee filter bag, pour 2 liters of water over the grounds in the Tupperware. Tie the bag and pour 2 more liters of water over the bag and let it sit for 24 hours. Be sure to remove the bag after 24 hours so it's not jet fuel. Use filtered water if you have access to it. The type of beans, grind of beans, and water can effect flavor. For vanilla sweet cream it's 1 liter heavy cream, 350 ml vanilla syrup and 600 ml of 2 percent. That makes approx 2 liters of heavy cream. That is a big batch, but that is your ratio. If it doesn't get stiff when foaming (you can use an automatic hot/ cold frother or a hand frother) add more heavy cream. I'd do the math for you for a smaller batch but I am admittedly terrible at math 😅. Vanilla syrup can be made at home, it's 1:1 cup of water and sugar, melted on the stove top til smooth. Ive found a tablespoon or more of vanilla extract added to this tastes as close to sbux as possible. Classic is just simple syrup, so leave out the vanilla. Hopw this helps and I don't piss off any fellow baristas.
I hope both sides of your pillow are cold tonight 🫶
Not only is it cheaper to make your own espresso, but depending on the particulars of your setup, it will probably also produce a higher quality beverage. I got an espresso machine, and it turned me into a coffee snob real quick lol
I hope you’re in the r/espresso subreddit lol
What kind of machine did you get
A Gevi
Honestly I would never get starbucks if I didn't work there.
same. i hadn’t had starbucks in so long before working here and honestly i’ve been getting drinks at work a lot less lately. i’ll grab a tea or maybe a pink drink but it’s kinda turned me off to coffee and i’ve always loved coffee. the prices plus the crazy amounts of sugar in everything makes me nauseous just thinking about it.
As a new barista, today is literally my 60th day🎉, I cringe every time I ring up orders 🥺🥺
Oh me too! We must have started around the same time. So many customers are shocked at the cost, say “wow that’s so expensive”. I agree with them 🤷♀️
No fr I’m constantly helping customers out with prices and being like hey u should order it this way! Or i find myself apologizing for the price cuz I’m like sorry 😬 I def wouldn’t pay that and that’s why I work here cuz at least I get it free 🙈
Helped a person who ordered 2 sandwiches and 2 brownies and I say "okay your total is 22...87.." and I'm thinking to myself holy fuck that's so expensive
I used to think it was a little ridiculous when I would spend $17 on two drinks, egg bites, and a bakery item but now it’s ridiculous. I refuse to spend $30 for 2 drinks and 2 sets of egg bites because I can go to a sit down restaurant for the same. I have a keurig, a French press, and an espresso machine. I also have the cold foam blending system for my Vitamix because I can make my own cold foam as well. It’s no longer a fun little daily treat to do with my kid who was the unofficial Starbucks baby of our location and is now 6. Our location opened just after she was born and I went in almost every day with her until Covid shut it down
Have you seen noticeable customer decline due to price hikes?
Not a single customer has declined it because of the price.
I have seen people declining the oleato >> and for good reason too
I only get it when I have built up stars to get it free.
So... Should I buy some sbux stocks, although it would be unethical?
certainly not… i think demand has actually increased if anything
Yeah, that is fascinating, considering price hikes and economy overall, brand loyalty and coffee fix seems to remain if not increase 🤔
thats how Starbucks gets away with it ಠ\_ಠ
Last week, I cringed when someone modified their brown sugar espresso, a venti, a can't remember what she added, but the total was almost 12 dollars for one drink. Also one time, someone ordered a venti latte and they changed the milk and added vanilla or something, and it was 8 to 9 dollars
yup, rang up 2 brown sugars today with customs and for 2 drinks it was $20.10. and i told the customer that was too much for 2 drinks. but we’re getting that $20.25 pay now ig (california)
4 months soon here and i feel bad charging people for things that feel unnecessarily expensive
yeah prices are insane. my gf bought a cold brew kit from amazon and has been great. these people are out of their minds... $8 for a coffee
I’ve been making my own cold brew every week going on 3 years now. Hella cheap and never watered down 😁
Do you have any recommendations for syrups or flavors
I could never really make syrups work for me. I just get different flavors of Chobani creamers, both dairy and non dairy. The sweet cream is my go too.
Chobani sweet cream is amazing. We'll try that.
I just can't find a dairy free creamy component my body dislikes emulsifiers & dairy so have to decide if I want to buy the high end, high fat coconut milk. sometimes I just take a lactaid which kind of covers it.
Torani and Monin make great syrups, and they’re used in most of the coffee shops I go to.
And you can usually get them both from Marshall’s/tjmaxx/home goods
Torani is the best
I always get a big bottle of Torani from TJMaxx or Marshall’s for about $7.50, it lasts me about 2 months
My iced chai tea latte is $9.16
no chance.. wtf do you add to it???
My wife, when she gets it, is close. Two modifiers are oat milk and espresso
Just so you know if you order it as an oatmilk latte and add chai it’s cheaper!
I add blonde shots and cold foam, but they may add something else.
I quit from Starbucks I also quit Starbucks🤣
I feel this. I love supporting the local spots now
I bought an espresso machine DIY at home🤓
Same and they make very similar drinks for half the prices
Same! I quit Starbucks then quit Starbucks
Congrats!!!!!
Todays my last day im soooooo happy 😂
I blew out the remaining balance on my gold card (less then $15 bucks) and all my stars (a little over 1,000). I officially broke up about a week ago. Finally just priced me out, I’ve been refocusing and deciding if things are a “want” or “need”. It’s no longer a want and I definitely don’t need it so away it goes.
Increasing prices and decreasing pumps of the syrups that enter the cup lmao Starbucks has lost it touch, you’re better off supporting a local coffee shop that actually cares about their employees and craft (many local cafes are like this if you look hard enough)
I go once week as a treat to self , daily I now drink Cafe Du Monde !
Omg now I want beignets
Venti Black iced tea used to be 2.95 now is 4.95, good gracious…
That’s honestly unbelievable.
How else do you make iced tea…?
two or three teabags, hot water and ice?
The tea is premade before opening, so it’s just pour the concentrated tea, add water, add ice
Exactly working on some homemade recipes now.
Not that I'm defending them or anything because I agree with OP, but tbh even local independent coffee shops are $6-$8, at least $5 before a milk uncharge that's at least $1. I guess what reeled me into SB is at least I can get points for later. But deciding on a purchase these days are definitely more of treat than a daily ritual.
The points are cool. Especially when you can get extra stars for ordering certain items. But now getting the 200 stars required to earn a free drink is impossible for me. I don’t think I’ve reached it once since it changed from 150 to 200 🥲
I quit on Monday when my venti iced coffee with no classic jumped to $5.25. I’d already been paying $4.75 for it (even though in my head it was still $3.45, which is probably why I kept getting it), but there was something about seeing that 5 in front that felt like a slap in the face. I think a big part of it is I know that I’m subsidizing so much of the tolerance for gracious remakes on other people’s drinks (and Starbucks does, too—my drink only costs 100 stars but is more expensive in dollars than other drinks that cost 200 stars). Between this latest price hike and the sunsetting of the dining rooms, it’s clear that Starbucks has moved on, and its past differentiator (being an approachable “cool” coffee shop) has now been superseded by a luxury status habit—Starbucks has realized that they can keep raising prices way higher than a lot of other fast food chains can, and their core customer base will keep paying because they’re afraid that quitting based on price will make them feel poor.
your drink isn't more expensive because other people's drinks get screwed up and need to be remade. starbucks profits have been increasing every year, they're doing really well. it's pure greed.
What do you mean by sunsetting of the dining rooms? Are they moving toward no indoor seating in some areas???
I went to a Starbucks in San Jose, CA last week and they have a sign on their door saying they are "Grab & Go" only now. They've removed all indoor seating and the entire place was just completely empty. I'd link a photo that I took if I could; it was so eerie. I'm guessing for this location that it had to do with homeless folks. In the 10 minutes I was in there, one of the baristas was knocking on the bathroom door trying to get a homeless guy out of the bathroom who had seemed to lock himself in. Right as the barista was about to force his way into the bathroom, the guy finally came out.
Just a side note…the shaken espresso drinks are meant to have the espresso shaken with ice and syrup, then are poured into the cup and topped with milk. That’s why they’re pictured layered like that too! I actually get annoyed when they’re all shaken together…but you CAN request to have the milk shaken in with everything else!
I'm so tired of customers looking at me weird asking why it's not shaken all together, like I don't mind mixing it just ask me nicely. Why do they expect it to be different than how it looks on the menu
I’m down to once a week, will eventually quit going
One positive side of this is that I actually learned so much about actual coffee once I started brewing my own.
I quit as well. Bought a semi automatic espresso machine and a commercial blender. With the new prices and a twice a day customer I have already made my money back. Plus my at home drinks are better and consistent every time.
I used to go once a week to Starbucks before the pandemic and even throughout 2021. Now I go maybe once every 3-4 months. They have lost a loyal customer in me because of these prices. I don’t get it, why not keep a customer who comes in once a week with a reasonably priced drink versus jacking the prices up and losing business.
they are a corporation, their “mission” is to “make the world a better place one cup, store, neighborhood at a time”, according to them. i think this cannot be true considering they don’t seem to care that they are losing hundreds of customers each day with the new price increases. they don’t care about one single customer because they are getting so many new ones.. as weird as it sounds, we are the busiest we’ve ever been i think..
call and complain i guess. that’s one drink that actually needs to be shaken. refreshers you could kinda get away with
I actually reaaaaaaaaly hate when people don’t shake refreshers or tea especially. You can truly sense/taste a difference, and it looks kinda gross when people don’t shake “drink variants” (pink drink, dragon drink, etc).
Agree, you got to agitate that mix or it would taste extra chemically. Granted I hated mixing the freeze dried fruits in. Berries being in it actually ruined the drink. Berries would have the worst texture when rehydrated.
i used to derive joy from upcharging people who made crazy annoying modifications to their drinks but now it’s just shame lol
I’m close. I’ve had to ask on multiple occasions for extra chai pumps. I get a venti iced 9 pump chai with light ice. The store I have been having to go to lately (there is construction so can’t go to my fave one) hasn’t been putting the right amount of pumps, they have the wrong collar on the pump or they’re rushing and doing half pumps. When I go to grab it I know what color it should look like and it always looks SO light. I give them the benefit of the doubt and always try it first but it tastes just like milk. So I ask for 5-6 more pumps. I’ve gotten to the point where I am ordering 11 pumps and it’s still not getting to the right color/taste. I was a 236xxxx and I trained for 2 years. This was one thing I always stressed. Chai drinkers can tell when you rush or if you’re at the end of the amount in the tub.
Espresso drinkers too. I can tell by the weight of my cup as soon as I pick it up. Or the color of the drink, if it is an iced beverage. Number one reason I stopped going, my drinks were never made with consistently.
That’s why I stopped going to certain stores. My usual one I go to before work has construction near it so there’s no way for me to go that way so I go to this one. Looks like I’m going to have to suck it up and go through the traffic
I feel like the chai doesn’t have as strong of a taste like it used to? Like I remember it being stronger but now it tastes watered down sort of
it probably is, i know they have watered down the caramel. it’s gotten so liquidy it’s hard to make the “crosshatch” design that corporate wants us to make
I read that Starbucks is getting new pumps that dispense 15% less per pump. Could that be the issue?
In don’t think so. This tastes/look like it’s less than half of what should be there
Cappuccino and espresso macchiatos drinkers too. Or when I order and espresso con pana and get a short cup full to the top with whipped cream. Fucking hell all around.
That’s pretty infuriating considering the increased pricing.
You’re telling me! I’ve been making cold brew at home more often lately.
Same for any drink ordered with light foam. You immediately know by the weight and feel of the cup if the foam is right, I don’t even have to look.
Ngl this don't sound right💀💀💀
Got a Nespresso machine for Christmas, I can count on both hands the number of times I’ve gotten Starbucks since then. I was 7 days/week for years.
we increase our prices every launch 😍
I read this as lunch, was dying lol.
I go to a small half-coffee shop half-art studio. Coffee not only was cheaper but 10x better than Starbucks. I always wondered why my store was so adamant about not having the shot die... it's cause their coffee quality was awful.
Ive been going to a local place, 16oz iced oatmilk latte for $5.50 and it tastes like actual coffee.
it is bad but you guys don’t realize that these are the prices at every coffee shop tbh. at least where i live, starbucks isn’t even the most expensive. dutch bros is about the same price too.
At least in my area, a coffee the same price as SB but from an indie shop will consistently be WAY better quality
I went to starbucks this week and the barista rang up one of those lunch boxes and said wow, why is this so expensive? I commented it's the same as a drink and he acknowledged both are insane.
I feel you! Btw grande shaken espressos get 3 shots! If you are only getting 2 its not standard for shaken espressos.
I got an inexpensive espresso machine for home, then I order a fresh bag of ground beans from Starbucks and it’s 10x better than the shaken espresso there!!! It took a couple tries to absolutely perfect it but I now prefer it — and it’s a fraction of the cost !
Two years ago my quad venti caramel macchiato was just under $7. It is now over $8. 😭😭😭
The milk and espresso shouldn't be shaken together in a shaken espresso
they never said it should lol
I stopped going when they got rid of raspberry syrup. Iced white chocolate raspberry was my go to for years, multiple times a week. Nothing else has filled the void for me.
That sounds yummy
As a barista. My biggest pet peeve is other baristas refusing to shake things. It used to be just the teas and refreshers but it's gotten so bad lately like it's not hard to shake what's already in the shaker.
Hey if y’all don’t want a lot of ice in your shaken espresso…..get a latte….
It's insane 10$ for a drink
I had a reward to use so I figured I would get my husband his favorite drink at the moment and it was 8.15 for a venti 😧 it was one of those oatmilk lavender with cold foam, wow. I couldn't believe it. He usually always gets an Americano so this was so pricey.
I miss when a grande latte was like 5 dollars rounded up. Now they're typically over 6. It's insane. Especially now that I've worked there and saw with my eyes that espresso and milk and syrup is just espresso, milk, and syrup. And don't get me started on those 8 dollar paninis
Same and I'm a little too broke to be as obsessed with the iced lavender matcha as I am 🙃 if anyone has tips for making that at home let me know lol 🥲
I honestly get paying that much for fancy drinks at Starbucks but yall really can’t make your own shaken espresso at home fr???
I’m in love with the lavender matcha. It’s so much cheaper to make my own matcha latte and add a lavender simple syrup. The syrup was $7.99 and you only use 1-2 pumps depending on the size of the latte
Similar feelings. As I used to work in starbucks - I used to buy salted chips. I would reload my card with $5. And I was able to buy chips 3 times... ($1.50/bag). Later it went to $1.75 per bag so with the same $5 reload I was able to buy it twice... Now they change the bag, cook it with abocado oil, and it costs $2.55... With the same $5 reload I can buy ONE BAG... So with same money, I was able to 3 bags... Then 2... Now only one... JESUS CHRIST...
Customers be like “I’ll get that as a tall” and then you have to be like “okay gotcha your total is gonna be 6.45” which makes them go all “or i mean, can i have a small” and you’re like “yeah, tall is our small size. that’s the price of our small size”
I dont understand why everyone complaining about price for just starbucks when everything everywhere is so expensive. 🤷♂️ $5 foot long turned to $6 for 6inch, there used to be dollar menu’s at McD’s now the cheapest burger is $3 before tax
I work there and on my off day my sister wanted to get a drink at starbucks so i payed because i get my discount. It was just one drink, a venti strawberry açaí w strawberry puree and even after my employee discount it was almost $6. i remember when i first started working there two years ago, that drinks was almost $4 with my discount. The prices have gotten so insane im embarrassed to tell customers how much their drinks and food costs.
As a barista I’m so happy for all of you deciding to give up starbucks. It’s remarkable how quickly prices went from a few reasonable dollars to complete bullshit. A grilled cheese and a normal drink with oatmilk is like $15 now. It’s ridiculous.
The prices will only go up if people continue to buy them
I got myself a Philips machine that makes all the fancy drinks. That combined with Torani syrups. Haven’t been to a Starbucks in years. Ps I still miss the s’mores frappe Starbucks. I’ll be back when that returns. Until then no $$$
If I didn't work there I wouldn't regularly consume I definitely wouldn't pay for a beverage with out liquor or thc in it for these prices. Because those are equivalent if not cheaper in my area and if I'm going to paying luxury prices for mediocre coffee there better be some fun shit in it.
and our recovery cards are still $4 😩
If you ever want to splurge you could get an iced espresso i think its less than the drink you were getting and you have everything else at home to add to it for funsies!
Very true!
Yeah. Their prices have become outrageous. If you have a Dutch Bros their large is is 5$ for a coffee. You go to starbucks nowadays and you spend 8$ for a coffee possible even 10+!!! On a side note, you can get your coffee just by ordering a triple shot or double shot etc. so triple shot iced venti cup, 6 pumps white mocha, extra 2%, whip. Roughly 4.60$. Thats the price it should be! You do get less milk, though. But you can do Blonde Ristretto shots if you like it more “sweet” :)
For this very reason I shake it until it turns light brown and you get lots of foam
I bought a keurig about a year ago and started making coffee at home. I now don’t even like the taste of Starbucks and I used to be an everyday gal. That might change if they brought the VBH refresher back.
Support local coffee shops!
It’s been weirdly slow at my store this past week, I think I’m starting to understand why
fr i got a nespresso never looking back
it's insane. i haven't quit yet but i'm considering it. i did go down from a venti to a grande tho. i miss the doubleshot on ice! it was like $3 or $3.50 here in canada for a grande. such a good deal.
I bought a nespresso and found the company syrups on Amazon. Significantly cheaper than Starbucks!
They shake it before the milk
I work at Starbucks at an airport and it literally makes me cringe when people order a small drink and food and its like £12 😭
Yeah it’s honestly crazy. Bc even with this boycott you would think they would try to keep the little bit of guests they have but no. Instead they raise prices to their ALREADY expensive simple products. Makes no sense
I haven’t been to Starbucks since sometime in the fall. Yesterday, I discovered I hadn’t closed my bag of coffee right the other day and that the coffee was too stale for me to use the rest. I opened the Starbucks app to order my usual—a quad shot skim latte—and it was $8.45. Coffee is 20% off at Target this week, so I can buy a whole bag of my usual brand (no longer Starbucks) for less.
I haven’t bought starbucks very much for about 5 years now. I remember paying about $3.50 for a tall iced mocha (obviously many years ago) and since wages are stagnant and inflation went up so much, once it hit $5 I started cutting back.
my latte is $8.10 … like get lost, i’m using up my points & i’m out.
I went last week because I had exactly 200 points and there was no way I was going to let them expire. If I do go, it’s less than before because everything seems to go up every so many months.
I order a basic shaken espresso maker mods of blonde shots, oat milk, and whatever flavoring, no classic and I think it saves about 40 cents, nothing monumental but stupid that it's cheaper for the same exact thing.
Harney and Sons has a chai concentrate and they ship for free...they are out of New York. They have fabulous tea as well.
As a current barista I approve this message
Yesterday I rang up a lady for an iced white mocha and she wanted to do almond milk cause she wanted less calories and sugar. Me being me I suggested she can sub two of the pumps of wm for sugar free vanilla, that drink ended up costing almost 8 dollars. I just took off the vanilla and made it for her because I didn’t have the heart to say the price out loud🙃
not only drinks but also syrup bottles are going from $13 to $19-25 and the product isn’t changing and the size isn’t increasing its so ridiculous to support them at this point
Its for the best, Starbucks has been up to a lot of shady business recently
I havnt gone to Starbucks since they closed the location at Morningside plaza.
I will put it into perspective, when I started being a barista in 2009 a drink triple shot latte with soy (medium/16oz/grande) was anywhere between 3.75-4.50 I would have a $5 and tip the left overs, the extra shots and milk alt were .25 up charge a piece by the time I briefly left in 2015 up charge was .50. Minimum wage was 8.55 where I live. Same drink (I don’t go out for drinks often anymore) 7.58 so about double and min wage is now 16.28 it is just about the same price. It still hurts a lot as I actually in reality make not much more than I did in 2014. But the logic is hidden there
And I live blocks from a Dutch bros. Their line is always around the block. Even they espresso shots taste sweetened They are popular, not for me My 9 year old loves their drinks though so we go there as special treats for her. If you love sweet drinks that are mostly prepared, including their soft top the are a great replacement for Starbucks.