7 Most Expensive Coffee Drinks at Popular Fast-Food Chains
If Starbucks did one thing in its world domination, it's that the chain normalized the concept of spending five-plus dollars on coffee. No judgment here—if pricey coffee drinks are what makes you happy, you do you.
But if you're on a budget, you might not want to drop a Lincoln every time you need a cup of Joe. With that in mind, we decided to see what the most expensive drinks were at some of the most popular fast-food chains—whether you're looking to order a luxury option or avoid it.
To figure out which drinks are the most expensive of all, we compared the price points for coffee drinks at popular fast-food chains. Note that these prices are based on a New York City market, so they might be different depending on your location.
And for more, don't miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
STARBUCKS: Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso, $5.95
A good number of Starbucks' grande drinks pass the five-dollar mark. But the new oatmilk-based offering is almost a full $6. By contrast, drinks like the iced cinnamon dolce latte, an iced flat white, the honey almondmilk nitro cold brew, and a caramel macchiato each cost $5.45.
Aside from that, though, there are other price differences to be aware of at Starbucks. A white chocolate mocha, for instance, costs $5.45, while a regular mocha is just $5.25. And Frappuccino flavors like java chip and mocha will cost you $5.75, while the coffee Frappuccino was just $5.45.
DUNKIN': Oatmilk Iced Latte, $5.59
If you want oat milk, it'll cost you. A regular iced latte is $4.59 at Dunkin, while a "signature" iced latte is $5.05. But the oatmilk version is a whopping $5.59, making it more expensive than even the cold brews topped with cold foam.
PANERA: Frozen Mocha or Caramel Cold Brew, $4.79
As at McDonald's, the frozen drinks at Panera are the most expensive coffee options on the menu. If you're looking to save money, regular hot and iced coffees are just $2.39 each.
CHICK-FIL-A: Iced Coffee, $3.39
Chick-fil-A has two coffee options: hot and iced. And unlike many of its competitors, Chick-fil-A offers just two sizes, small and large. A small hot coffee will cost you $3.39, whether you choose original or vanilla flavor, and a large will set you back $3.79. The hot coffee, meanwhile, is $2.25 for a small and $2.89 for a large.
WENDY's: Frosty-ccino, $3.19
Like Chick-fil-A, Wendy's offers just two sizes of its hot coffee, cold brew, and Frosty-ccino drinks. A small Frosty-ccino is $2.89, and a large is $3.19.
MCDONALD'S: Mocha or Caramel Frappé, $3.19
A few dollar bills will take you a long way at the McCafe. You can get any flavor of medium latte or cappuccino, hot or iced, for $2.75. Hot coffee is a steal at $1.50, while a medium iced coffee is just $2. The mocha and caramel Frappés are $3.19 each for a medium, but the extra money might be worth it if you're craving a frozen drink.
BURGER KING: Iced Coffee or Caramel Frappé, $2.99
Burger King just might be the best fast-food spot to grab a frozen drink. Unlike at McDonald's, the frozen caramel Frappé is the same price as the chain's iced coffee: $2.99 for a medium. That's cheaper than the McDonald's Frappé!
