Starbucks Is Charging $1 More for a Popular Drink—and Fans Are Mad

There’s lots of chatter online about tricks to save money at Starbucks, healthy Starbucks hacks and its not-so-secret secret menu. But Starbucks just announced that it’s raising the price of one popular drink hack. Starting May 9, Starbucks will charge $1 extra to customers who request “no water” in its Refreshers. “Starting May 9 there will be an additional cost of $1 for Starbucks Refreshers Beverages customized with no water, as this customization requires extra ingredients,” said Starbucks in a statement.

What Is Starbucks Charging More for in Refreshers?

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Refreshers have been on the Starbucks menu for about a decade. They are beverages made of tropical fruit juices like pineapple, dragonfruit and acai, as well as lemonade and green tea. There are even Starbucks Refreshers on the secret menu.

Over the years, there’s been a trend of Starbucks enthusiasts making custom orders of Refreshers without water, presumably to get more flavoring ingredients. This is why Starbucks intends to charge $1 more.

How Do Customers and Baristas Feel About the New Charge?

Starbucks fans on forums like Reddit have voiced their displeasure. Originally, misinformation had circulated that Starbucks was charging for “light ice,” which wasn’t true. Some customers and former baristas have also pointed out that it made no sense for the chain to charge extra for “no water” but not extend the charge to “light ice” or “no ice.” The argument seems to come down to whether the drink uses a “diluted base” or “undiluted base.”

Workers at Starbucks have also expressed concern that the new changes will create angry customers. Several employees told Business Insider that they were nervous about facing customer backlash, and were already facing confusion over whether the upcharge was for “light ice” or “no water.”

This isn’t the first time Starbucks employees have expressed dread over custom orders. In fact, earlier this year, Starbucks employees told Taste of Home how they really feel about customers’ secret menu orders. Basically, all these custom orders and hacks make the workers’ job more difficult. “Sometimes these hacks don’t work,” said one Starbucks employee. Keeping all this in mind, make sure to be nice to your baristas the next time you’re at your local Starbucks—remember, they don’t decide the prices!

Copycat Starbucks Recipes

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Inspired by: Starbucks Chai Tea Latte My family loves this comforting chai tea latte recipe, especially on cold days instead of cocoa or when they're feeling under the weather. I simplified this chai tea recipe by using the filter basket of our coffeepot. It's delicious and great after dinner! —Julie Plummer, Sykesville, Maryland Get Our Recipe for Chai Tea Latte

Molly Allen for Taste of Home

Inspired by: Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars You can make Starbucks cranberry bliss bars any time you please with this step-by-step copycat recipe. It makes an entire pan of bars that taste just like the real deal. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon

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Inspired by: Starbucks Egg BitesYou can substitute Gruyere cheese for the Swiss and ham for the bacon, or add in small-cut veggies to these copycat Starbucks egg bites. I also like to bake these in small Mason jars for fun single-portion presentations. Serve with avocado slices and fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast. —Maria Morelli, West Kelowna, British Columbia

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Inspired by: Starbucks Caramel FrappuccinoI love caramel frappuccinos from Starbucks, but they get too expensive. I now make my own, and they are just as good. If you blend the milk with all the other ingredients, it gets too foamy—instead stir it in with a spoon after all the ice is crushed. —Heather Egger, Davenport, Iowa

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NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Inspired by: Starbucks Cheese Danish The flaky layers of laminated dough and a sweet, cheese filling in the center make this Danish a natural to pair with hot coffee or tea. It’s as delicious for breakfast as it is for a late-night snack. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont

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Inspired by: Starbucks Roasted Ham, Swiss and Egg SandwichOn a busy morning, these freezer breakfast sandwiches save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Senior Editor

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Inspired by: Starbucks Cold Brew CoffeeCold brewing reduces the acidity of coffee, which enhances its natural sweetness and complex flavors. Even those who take hot coffee with sugar and cream might find themselves sipping cold brew plain. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Or if you rather buy it at the store, our Test Kitchen team found the very best options to kick start your mornings.

Inspired by: Starbucks Everything BagelWho has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do, with this easy recipe! The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and will win over even the pickiest eaters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel MochaYou can easily indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink at home anytime. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this mocha treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Our Recipe for Creamy Caramel Mocha

Jamie Thrower for Taste Of Home

Inspired by: Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf I created a copycat Starbucks gingerbread loaf that’s the perfect addition to my holiday baking. Served with a thick layer of frosting, it’s delicious with a cup of coffee. —Risa Lichtman, Portland, Oregon

Get Our Recipe for Gingerbread Loaf

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Inspired by: Starbucks Iced CoffeeWhen my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Not only did I love it, but I decided to start making my own iced coffee recipe. This easy version is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota

Get Our Recipe for Iced Coffee

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Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Lemon LoafMy family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota

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Inspired by: Starbucks Honey Oatmilk LatteWe combine rich molasses, golden honey and a host of spices to create this warm and comforting beverage.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Inspired by: Starbucks Berry Trio ParfaitHomemade granola layered with fresh fruit and yogurt makes a superb breakfast. Sometimes I skip the parfait step to enjoy it on a hikes or picnics.—Donna Speirs, Kennebunk, ME

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Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice LatteEach sip of this spiced-just-right beverage from our very own baristas tastes like a piece of pumpkin pie! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Our Recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte

Inspired by: Starbucks Double Chocolate BrownieCoffee granules enhance the chocolate flavor in these amazingly fudgy brownies. Add chocolate chips to the batter and you’ve got some seriously irresistible treats. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin

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Inspired by: Starbucks Caffe MochaWhen I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana

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Inspired by: Starbucks Toasted Coconut Cold BrewCold-brew lattes are all the rage at coffee shops, but they're so easy to make at home. This coconut cold-brew version is ridiculously refreshing and it's vegan! —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland

Get Our Recipe for Coconut Cold-Brew Latte

TASTE OF HOME

Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin BreadSkip the line and bake Starbucks's pumpkin bread in your own kitchen. This copycat recipe is better than the original! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Inspired by: Starbucks Hot ChocolateEach winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the Bloody Marys and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.

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Special Banana Nut BreadThis extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer to use as a last-minute gift. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland

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Inspired by: Starbucks Peppermint MochaMake spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

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Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Black Tea LemonadeI have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this irresistible thirst-quencher takes it one step further. The lemonade gives this refreshing drink a nice color, too. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina

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Inspired by: Starbucks Blueberry SconeI love serving this blueberry scone recipe to visiting friends and family. I always make sure a have a few in the freezer. Just pop a frozen scone in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. —Joan Francis, Spring Lake, New Jersey

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Taste of Home

Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Skip the drive-thru and head straight to your kitchen to shake up this coffee drink. You only need four ingredients! Get Our Recipe for Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso

Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese MuffinI first made this recipe back in 1987 and have since made it many times over the years because it's my children's favorite muffin recipe. —Wendy Stenman

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Inspired by: Starbucks Peppermint White Hot ChocolateMy soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

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The Ultimate Chocolate Chip CookieEveryone has a favorite type of chocolate chip cookie—a little crispy, a little chewy—but they all have to begin with a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. This is the best place to start! —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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