Millions of coffee drinkers worldwide are seeking ways to cut costs on their favorite beverages amid rising living expenses. A budgeting expert and TikTok user, who goes by the handle @Taekook and identifies as TK, has gained a significant following by sharing methods for making popular Starbucks drinks at home using ingredients sourced exclusively from Dollar Tree.
One of TK's viral videos, which garnered over 1.4 million views, details the process for creating a homemade version of Starbucks's Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. The demonstration begins with TK shopping at Dollar Tree, where he purchases oat milk, Nescafé Dolca instant coffee, light brown sugar, and cinnamon.
At home, he prepares the drink by simmering three-quarters of a cup of sugar with three-quarters of a cup of water for three to four minutes to create a syrup. He then mixes two tablespoons of instant coffee, adds the sugar syrup, and shakes the mixture with ice. Finally, oat milk is added to complete the beverage. TK describes the result as "super good," noting that while it's not real espresso, it captures the essence of the popular Starbucks drink.
In another tutorial, TK outlines how to replicate the Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. For this recipe, he uses powdered French vanilla coffee creamer, two percent milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. He combines two and a half tablespoons of sugar with two tablespoons of hot water and one teaspoon of vanilla extract.
In a blender, he mixes three tablespoons of the coffee creamer, ice, the prepared sugar-vanilla mixture, and milk. To mimic the visual texture of the Starbucks drink, he adds half of an Oreo cookie without the cream. The drink is finished with a topping of whipped cream.
TK shared with Today that his videos stem from a genuine passion for Dollar Tree products. He initially wanted to share his "love and obsession" with the store, as his immediate circle did not fully appreciate his enthusiasm. However, he now believes his content holds broader significance.
"In this economy, you’re made to believe that if you pay for something expensive, that means it’s high-quality and it’s the best thing ever, but that’s not always the case," TK stated. "Sometimes, random brands make affordable things for people with the same ingredients as the pricy stuff."
The comments section of his videos reflects positive reception, with many users expressing gratitude for the cost-saving tips. One commenter noted, "I work at Starbucks and this is perfect!" while another shared, "Making drinks from home and saving yourself $10 is this easy."