An Aussie woman has shared her money-saving hack for scoring cheap iced lattes made with alternative milk and a double shot of espresso.
Iced coffees are notoriously expensive, often costing double that of a regular hot coffee, for reasons unclear to many who enjoy the trendy beverage.
So it’s little wonder why her video went viral after she revealed how she managed to score two double-shot oat iced lattes for just $8, half of what it typically costs.
In her clip, @contentbyzara and her partner walk to their local cafe on the Gold Coast, each holding a glass jar filled with oat milk and ice.
When they arrive at the cafe, they order two double espressos priced at $4 each and pour those into their BYO jars.
And that’s it!
For $4 per iced latte, they enjoyed a quality coffee while saving a ton of money in the long run.
In the comments, Zara mentioned that her typical order – an iced oat latte with honey – usually costs between $8 and $11, meaning she’s saving half, if not more, by doing this trick.
Her post was flooded with praise, with one user commenting, “She’s onto something.”
Another wrote, “This is so smart. Can’t wait for summer to get here now,” while someone else exclaimed, “YUM. This is such a good idea!!!”
Some even shared that they had been doing a similar hack for years.
However, not everyone was impressed.
Some called it “sad” and said they would feel “embarrassed” doing this.
Zara, on the other hand, insists she has “no shame,” as the money she saves makes the effort worthwhile.
Some critics also took issue with the cost, arguing that “$4 each for a double espresso is a crime” and that bringing her own milk yet still paying $8 felt like a “rip-off.”
According to an investigation by New York Magazine, iced coffees are more expensive than regular coffees for several reasons, including brewing techniques that require more coffee grounds.
The cost of packaging, specifically the clear plastic cups and straws, also contributes to the higher price.
Some theories also suggest that the labor involved in preparing iced coffees adds to the cost.
Coffee drinkers should brace themselves for further price hikes, as the industry faces pressures due to adverse weather conditions affecting the world’s largest coffee bean suppliers and disruptions in the supply chain.
Andrew Hardjasudarma, a cafe owner in Sydney, noted that along with the rising costs of coffee beans, expenses for wages and rent have “gone through the roof.”
Having worked in hospitality since 2006, he predicts that cafes will be charging around $8 per cup in the coming months to cover these costs.
