The Truth About The Most Expensive Starbucks Drink Ever Ordered

If you're a Starbucks fan, you are probably aware that your cup of joe comes at a heftier price tag than your average cup of coffee at, say, McDonald's. The cost fluctuates depending on the drink size, the number of espresso shots, and how many sugary syrup drizzles are squeezed into the brew. Milk substitutes also determine the cost of your Starbucks coffee.

According to Money Inc., in 2017, a curious caffeine-lover named William E. Lewis Jr. tried his hand at ordering the most expensive Starbucks drink ever. He succeeded with a $148.99 super-sized Venti Flat White. His efforts were a part of the "Most Expensive Starbucks Drink Challenge." The drink provided a staggering 11,200 milligrams of caffeine that came from the additional 170 shots of espresso that were added to the original three shots that come in a Venti Flat White. He also substituted coconut milk, which also raised the cost.

This wasn't his first attempt at breaking the expensive caffeine record. In November of 2014, Insider documented that William E. Lewis made his very first attempt at the challenge. He ordered an $83.75 cup of joe that consisted of 17 pumps of vanilla syrup, matcha powder, and mocha green tea, said Money Inc. This time, the drink only contained around 6,400 milligrams of caffeine. This is 4,800 milligrams less caffeine than his final record in 2017.

We must note that others attempted to win the Starbucks expensive drink challenge over the years. According to Local Talk News, in May of 2014, Andrew Chifari of Dallas, Texas, claimed that he ordered the most expensive Starbucks drink, costing $54.75. He posted a picture to his Twitter account flaunting the 60 shot, 128-ounce drink with the hashtag "NewRecord." Sorry, Andrew, but your record has been beaten.

A few years later, on January 21, 2017, Elton Castee and his friends visited a Seattle-based Starbucks in an attempt to break Lewis' Starbucks drink record. They documented their visit on a YouTube video. The Café Americano with added white chocolate mocha and 102 shots of espresso cost $102.15. The extra-large drink was topped with whipped cream and a massive caramel drizzle.

As the story goes, the title for most expensive Starbucks drinks ordered was regained late in the same month by William E. Lewis Jr. He documented his win on Twitter on January 27, 2017. Lewis steadily holds the record today for the highest costing beverage ordered at Starbucks.

It's worth noting that consuming high levels of caffeine can be dangerous. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is safe for most adults to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. That is equivalent to roughly four cups of brewed coffee.