Starbucks’ Most Expensive Order Costs $45, and Will Probably Kill You

For most of us, “splurging” at Starbucks might mean opting for oat milk or adding a shot of espresso. But one TikTok user recently redefined indulgence—and perhaps common sense—by constructing what might be the most expensive single Starbucks drink ever, ringing up at an astonishing $45.

The viral stunt didn’t involve secret ingredients or off-menu magic. Instead, it was all done through the Starbucks app, where the user maxed out every customization option available. The drink? A Frankenstein-esque version of a Venti Matcha Crème Frappuccino, with caffeine levels that would make a cardiologist flinch.

Here’s what went into the $45 creation:

Base: Venti Matcha Crème Frappuccino – $6.25

Espresso shots: 12 standard + 12 affogato-style – $30

Sauces & toppings: Mocha, dark caramel, caramel drizzle, caramel crunch, chai, Frappuccino chips – $3.70

Powders: Four scoops each of vanilla bean and chocolate malt – $1.00

Whipped cream: Free (mercifully)

Grand total: $41.55 before tax—easily crossing the $45 mark depending on your location.

To be clear, this drink was never actually consumed. According to the creator, the experiment was meant to test how high the app’s customization feature could push a drink’s cost. Still, it’s a jarring reminder that with great customizability comes great responsibility—or at least a sense of financial and physiological caution.

Let’s break this down: 24 shots of espresso in a single beverage isn’t so much a drink as it is a full-blown dare. The FDA recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This drink clocks in at roughly 1,500 mg—nearly four times the daily limit for an adult.

While it might sound absurd, there’s little doubt someone will eventually take the challenge, if they haven’t already.