This Is The Most Expensive Starbucks Drink Ever Ordered

Coffee is one of the most popular caffeinated beverages in the world. According to those friendly coffee statistics from the International Coffee Organization, we pour about 1.4 billion cups of coffee a day worldwide, and about 45 percent of it, or 400 million cups a day, is consumed in the United States (via Street Directory). For this reason, it should come as no surprise that there are over 30,000 Starbucks coffee shops in the world. The Seattle-based coffee shop chain started in 1971 and now operates in 78 countries. In fact, a Wall Street Journal article estimates that a Starbucks opens a coffee shop every four hours somewhere in the world.

But Starbucks is about more than coffee. Their menu boasts teas, juices, and blended drinks to appeal to the broad tastes of their customers. Still, their coffee is the anchor product, and the friendly baristas allow the consumer to customize it to his or her liking. 

This brings us to the question: What is the most expensive item ever purchased at Starbucks?

The answer is a little more complex than simply looking at the menu. Where you are buying a drink, the beverage itself needs to be taken into consideration as well as how you decide to customize it. Money Inc notes that Starbucks coffee is expensive overall, with the average cost of a small (or Tall) latte ringing in at $2.95. The outlet notes that the same drink costs $3.45 in New York City and $5.75 in Zurich, Switzerland. To this end, there have even been social media challenges to create the most expensive Starbucks drink.

The title of the most expensive and overpriced Starbucks item is held by William E. Lewis Jr., according to Money Inc. William purchased a Super Venti Flat White for $148.99 in January 2017. He brought his own cup, and it was a big one (via South Florida Reporter). The drink was comprised of around 11,000 mg of caffeine with 170 espresso shots added to the standard shots of a venti flat white from Starbucks. To spice things up, Lewis also added coconut milk. That sounds like quite the caffeine high. Good thing he had friends to share it with.