Starbucks Is About to Eliminate Upcharges for Non-Dairy Milk

We’re all a little budget-conscious when the holiday gifting season arrives. As we dedicate a little more of our usual budget toward making the holidays merry and bright, we’re happy to shave off a few more cents wherever we can. And soon enough, you won’t have to fork over that extra 70 cents to substitute oat milk in your holiday latte. 

Starbucks is cutting all upcharges for non-dairy milk when the holiday menu arrives on November 7, according to a company statement shared with Food & Wine. Currently, Starbucks tacks on an extra 70- to 80-cent fee for requesting soy, oat, almond, and coconut milk in handcrafted beverages — an upcharge that’ll soon be part of Christmases past. Starbucks estimates that the change, which will hit all company-owned stores in the United States and Canada, will impact roughly half of all visitors — given that milk substitution is the second-most requested customization, just behind additional espresso shots. 

In the October 30 press release, CEO and company chairman Brian Niccol says the move falls right on with his vision for the coffee giant: 

“I made a commitment that we’d get back to Starbucks, focusing on what has always set Starbucks apart — a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather and we serve the finest coffee handcrafted by our skilled baristas,” Niccol states in the release. “This is just one of many changes we’ll make to ensure a visit to Starbucks is worth it every time.”

The pricing shift comes at a time when chains across the country are slashing prices, dropping budget menus, and proposing other incentives to price-conscious customers. That includes Starbucks, which introduced a limited-run Pairings Menu this summer. 

For some nondairy coffee drinkers though, this decision has been a long time coming. In March, the coffee chain faced a lawsuit from three California residents who alleged the nondairy surcharge discriminates against lactose-intolerant customers, according to CBS News. The company, however, says guests do have the option to add non-dairy milk to select menu items — including brewed and iced coffee, tea, cold brew, and Americanos. Other major chains — including Dunkin’ — have previously faced similar suits. Starbucks tells Food & Wine that it does not comment on ongoing litigation.  

It’s unclear exactly what other surprises this year’s holiday menu might hold, but we’re eagerly awaiting the full news. In the meantime, we’re resting with visions of Sugar Plum Danishes (and price-reduced almond milk lattes) dancing in our heads.