From sneaky pricing quirks to secret barista creations, these insider Starbucks secrets might just change how you order your next drink
13 Things Starbucks Employees Won’t Tell You—But You Should Definitely Know
Updated on Jun. 24, 2025
Yes, there is a way to get free refills
Great news! That $6 iced coffee just became a $6 day pass to Caffeineville. “If you’re drinking in the café and use the Starbucks app, you can get free refills of hot or iced coffee or tea, it’s in our customer service policy,” says Jordan P., a shift supervisor in Utah. “It drives me nuts when people throw away their cup and buy a whole new drink.” The refill deal is buried deep in the app’s terms and conditions, and baristas may not think to tell you about it, but if you ask, they will honor it at most locations. (Some locations may opt out of promotions like this.)
Pro tip: It only applies to regular hot and iced coffee and tea—you can’t get double lattes out of this.
Ordering “no ice” won’t get you more drink
An oft-circulated Starbucks “hack” tells people to order their drinks with no ice so the barista will have to fill the Starbucks cup to the brim with extra coffee, syrup or whatever magical unicorn liquid is in a Pink Drink. Then you pour it over your own ice and boom—free bonus drink. Reality check? “We do not do this,” Banks says. “We make drinks based on the measurements in the recipe. So if you order no ice, it’ll just look like less in the cup.”
Some customers get heated about it. “I’ve had people get really angry and demand I ‘fill it all the way up’ or accuse me of ripping them off,” Banks adds. “One of us is trying to rip someone off, but it isn’t me.”
Pro tip: Banks says to order light ice if you have sensitive teeth or just don’t like ice. “Or just enjoy your drink as it is supposed to be made, the ice is part of the recipe,” she adds.
There isn’t a secret menu, but there is a barista special
The internet loves to whisper about a mystical Starbucks “secret menu,” full of magical drinks like the Butterbeer Frappuccino or the Mermaid Refresher. In reality? It doesn’t exist. Not officially, anyway. But there’s a twist. “A lot of us baristas have our own specialty drinks we like to make when it’s slow,” Banks says. “One of my favorites is a blueberry latte—I use the blueberries from the oatmeal packets to make a signature drink.”
The catch? You have to ask nicely, and it can’t be during a mad morning rush when they’re 12 stickers deep and someone just spilled a Trenta iced matcha on the floor. And note this depends on the barista. It’s not part of their training and some don’t like playing mixologist. But if you’re feeling adventurous, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Pro tip: Say, “Hey, if you’re not slammed, do you have a drink you love to make?” You might just discover your new favorite off-menu masterpiece.
We will 100% judge your mobile order name …
… and we like it when you make us laugh. “We’ve seen everything—Lord Voldemort, Beyoncé, Batman and one guy who uses ‘Daddy,'” says Max W., a barista in Florida. “We laugh, but we also still have to call it out with a straight face.”
Keep it clean and be careful if you’re picking up your cup off the counter inside to double-check your name and make sure it’s the right one. “My pet peeve is when people take someone else’s drink either on accident or, sometimes, on purpose,” Banks says.
Pro tip: “And hey,” Max adds, “If you’re going to make us say ‘Daddy,’ at least leave a tip.”
We will try to make your TikTok drink, but no guarantees
If you see a Starbucks drink going viral, of course,e you want to try it! Just know that your results may vary in real life. “People just make stuff up on the internet and call it a Starbucks drink and they’re using ingredients we don’t even have!” Banks says. “Then people want to order it, and I’m like, I have no idea what’s in your triple-backflip mochaccino rainbow latte.”
But, Max and Banks say, they’ll give it a good try if you can tell them the ingredients. “We do make custom drinks all the time so if you can tell me how to make it I’ll try,” he says. “But if you don’t like it you still have to pay for it.”
Pro tip: You can just describe it. Showing the barista a blurry TikTok video with a 3-minute voiceover and no ingredient list is not a recipe, it’s a hostage situation.
We know the espressos are a problem
If you’re ordering a straight espresso shot at Starbucks expecting rich, velvety, coffee perfection—you might want to temper those expectations. “The espresso machines have to be recalibrated every 20 shots or so,” says one employee who asked to remain anonymous for this tip. “If the barista’s not on top of it, a few bitter, over-extracted shots can sneak out before anyone notices.”
Unlike hand-pulled espressos at indie coffee shops, Starbucks uses automated machines that don’t allow for much fine-tuning. “Honestly, I don’t recommend ordering an espresso at Starbucks,” they admitted. “At best they’re mid, and at worst … I feel bad serving them.”
Pro tip: If you’re craving espresso, order it in a latte or macchiato—it’s more forgiving when diluted. Or maybe just try a cold brew.
We know when you tip $0.00
Coffee shops are one of those places where tipping is expected but not required. Starbucks employees make a solid hourly wage, and tipping won’t determine whether they can pay rent. That said … they do know what you chose. “We see it on the screen when people select ‘No Tip,'” Jordan says. “It’s fine, we’ll still make your drink with love. But also we might cry a little on the inside.” The truth is that even a dollar can brighten a barista’s whole day—especially if they just made you a 17-step iced masterpiece with extra caramel drizzle, light whip and foam art that required an advanced degree.
Pro tip: All tips are pooled and distributed based on hours worked, so while your cash might not go directly to the barista who handed you your drink, it will support the whole crew keeping your caffeine habit alive and well.
We have a nickname for your overly complicated order
“At my store, we call it the ‘Why are you like this?’ drink,” says Jordan, laughing. “Seriously though—like a venti half-caf ristretto quad-shot, three-pump sugar-free vanilla, extra foam, light whip, upside-down macchiato with oatmilk? Ma’am, have mercy.”
Allie S., a barista in Washington, says some drinks become so legendary, they get named after the customer. “We have one we call ‘The Cathy,’ and it’s caught on,” she says. “Now when their pickleball group comes in, others order ‘The Cathy’ too.”
Pro tip: Your barista isn’t judging you—they’ve seen it all. But write it down if it’s more than five ingredients, and try not to change your mind mid-order about ingredient #12. The espresso machines can only handle so much chaos.
You can order your drink “upside down”
No, this isn’t a barista magic trick or some kind of coffee acrobatics. Ordering your drink “upside down” just means they will reverse the usual order of ingredients. “It’s super common with caramel macchiatos,” Max says. “Normally, the espresso goes on top, but some people prefer it mixed in.” This little tweak changes the flavor and texture slightly, giving you a more blended, evenly sweet drink instead of the classic espresso-on-top taste bomb.
Pro tip: It’s great for caramel macchiatos, iced lattes, or shaken espresso drinks if you like a smoother sip. Just don’t ask them to literally flip the cup upside down.
The app sometimes charges more than in-store
You’d think ordering ahead would save time and money, but sometimes, it’s the opposite. “Weird but true,” Allie says. “The app can show higher prices than what we charge in-store. Same with delivery apps.”
Why the inconsistency? It usually comes down to store type—company-owned vs. licensed (like those inside grocery stores, airports or college campuses)—plus local pricing differences and operational costs.
Pro tip: If you’re not in a huge rush, check the in-store menu before you hit “Place Order.” You might save yourself a buck or two.
Your juice, hot chocolate and “decaf” might still be caffeinated
Trying to cut back on caffeine? Good for you! But beware, the Starbucks menu is full of unexpected energy boosts. For instance, Refreshers may look like innocent fruity juice drinks, but they pack around 45mg of caffeine per serving. That’s about the same as a can of Diet Coke. And that cozy hot chocolate you’re ordering before bed? Yep, that’s also clocking around 45mg.
“Another mistake I hear a lot from customers is thinking that a Blonde Roast will be less caffeinated,” Allie says. Not true. Blonde roasts actually have more caffeine than their dark, broody cousins. And even decaf espresso isn’t 100% caffeine-free—it still contains about 5 to 10mg per shot.
Pro tip: If you’re caffeine-sensitive, don’t guess—check. You can find the nutrition info and caffeine content of all the menu items in the app or on the website. Or just ask. Your barista will gladly help steer you toward something more sleep-friendly.
Frappuccinos can be made without coffee
Calling all parents, late-afternoon sippers or caffeine-sensitive folks: you don’t have to give up your Frappuccino dreams. “Anything with ‘creme’ in the name is made without coffee,” Allie says. “Our no-coffee frappuccinos are Chai, Matcha and Strawberries and Creme but you can ask any frap to be made without coffee.” One of the most popular options? The Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino—”it’s basically a milkshake with a fancy name,” she says.
Pro tip: Ask for creme base or add “Creme” to the name, ex. Caramel Creme Frappuccino, if you’re trying to skip the jitters but still want a frozen treat.
We can’t give you the old food
Some restaurants hand out leftover food at closing time, either for free or at a discount. Not Starbucks. “Anything that’s been sitting out in the case gets thrown in the trash,” Banks says. “It’s food safety rules, we don’t want to make anyone sick.”
But before you shed a tear for the lonely croissants, know that Starbucks has a program in place to reduce waste. “We bag up less perishable items, like packaged goods, and donate them through a community program,” Banks adds.
Pro tip: If you want a freebie or a deal, sign up for the rewards program and keep track of it through your app.
A dash of respect goes a long way
Your barista is probably running on caffeine fumes and sarcasm. “We start our shifts at 4 a.m.,” Jordan says. “By noon, we’ve served 300 people, cleaned spills, burned ourselves and said ‘grande or venti?’ so many times I’m not even sure if those are real words anymore.”
“If I could tell customers one thing, it would be that patience is everything,” Banks says. “We’re not coffee robots, we do have feelings.”
Pro tip: Tips are always welcome, but if you really want to make your barista feel really special, write them a thank-you note or bring in flowers. “One of the nicest things a customer did was to bring a big bouquet of flowers to say thank you,” Banks shares. We put those flowers in the back and they lasted for a week—everyone loved them so much,” she adds.
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Sources:
- Megan Banks, shift supervisor in Colorado, in-person interview Jun 16, 2025.
- Jordan P., shift supervisor in Utah, phone interview June 14, 2025.
- Max W., a barista in Florida; phone interview Jun 14, 2025.
- Allie S., a barista in Washington; phone interview Jun 15, 2025.
- Starbucks: “Back to Starbucks”
- Starbucks: “How do refills work”
- Fox Business: “Starbucks CEO says better pricing transparency necessary for mobile app”
