New drinks might not be the only change to Starbucks summer menu next month. Now, there are rumors circling TikTok that the chain is going to be charging for orders that ask for light ice, no ice, or no water in their refresher drinks. So, is Starbucks charging extra for light ice?
Wait. Is Starbucks charging extra for light ice?
TikTok user @4rayah.sunshine made a video explaining why Starbucks might implement the increase. “You will also be charged this $1 ‘cause they have to add more base to make up for the space lost,” she said.
Although not known where it was obtained, the picture shown in the video from @4rayah.sunshine reads, “Beginning with Summer 1 launch, we’ll start charging customers $1 when they order a Starbucks Refresher without water and additional Refresher Base.” The video currently has 1.4 million views in just three weeks. Consider this Starbucks' messy era because they have not been able to escape criticism. First, changes to the rewards program, then, olive oil coffee, and now these alleged upcharges.
Here's The Deal With Light Ice:
A video posted by TikTok user @Kamandlan seems to be enough for the 105,000 viewers. They showed a sign allegedly outside of a Starbucks making customers aware of this up charge. It reads: “Starting on May 9th, Starbucks will begin to up charge for no water, no ice, and light ice in the Starbucks Refresher beverages…” However, the sign isn’t on Starbucks letterhead and doesn’t have any Starbucks branding. You also cannot see around the sign to confirm that the sign is in fact posted at a Starbucks location.
Now, people are tired and ready to boycott. On Twitter, user @LuxBleu wrote, “I’m literally giving up Starbucks. They now charge for (no water or light ice) that’s extreme asf.”
"No Water" Refreshers Will Cost $1
After seeing the publicity surrounding this rumor, a Starbucks spokesperson reached out to Eat This, Not That with a statement: “Starbucks is not making any changes to their ice policy. We do not have anything to share regarding changes to Refreshers beverages.”
However, one Starbucks spokesperson told Spoon University on May 12, "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. This change allows us to provide a more consistent approach to customization, similar to other beverage customizations such as an adding an espresso shot or syrup which incur an additional charge. Starbucks Refreshers Beverages can still be customized with light or no ice free of charge."
So, for my Refresher girlies out there, you will have to pay just a little extra for your "no water" order.