Budgeting expert reveals how to make popular Starbucks drinks at home using Dollar Tree ingredients

Millions across the globe are obsessed with Starbucks coffees. But with the cost of living going up constantly, it's getting harder to afford the pricey beverages. Thankfully, a budgeting expert has revealed how you can make fan-favorite Starbucks drinks like the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso or Vanilla Bean Frappuccino at home using Dollar Tree ingredients. TikTok user @Taekook, who goes by TK, has become a viral sensation in recent months for sharing valuable advice on how you can re-create the popular beverages yourself for a much lower cost. In one video, which got over 1.4 million views, he explained that cooking up your own version of Starbucks's Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso only takes a few simple steps and ingredients. The video began with him shopping at Dollar Tree; he filmed himself purchasing some oat milk, Nescafé Dolca instant coffee, light brown sugar and cinnamon. It then cut to him making the drink at home. He started by combining 3/4 cup of the sugar and 3/4 cup of water in a pot and simmering it for three to four minutes. Next, he made two tablespoons of the instant coffee before he put it in a cup with some ice. Millions across the globe are obsessed with Starbucks coffees. But with the cost of living going up constantly, it's getting harder to afford the pricey beverages (stock image) Thankfully, a budgeting expert has revealed how you can make fan-favorite Starbucks drinks like the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso or Vanilla Bean Frappuccino at home using Dollar Tree ingredients (stock image) He then put in the sugar-water mixture and some cinnamon, shaking it well to mix it all together. Lastly, he added some of the oat milk. 'It tastes super good. It's not real espresso but it hits,' he told his followers after trying the concoction. 'It's so good.' In another video, TK broke down how you can make the brand's Vanilla Bean Frappuccino at home. He started by buying some powdered French vanilla coffee creamer, two percent milk, granulated sugar and vanilla extract. He combined two and a half tablespoons of sugar with two tablespoons of hot water and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. In a blender, he then mixed three tablespoons of the creamer, a bunch of ice, the sugar-vanilla mixture and some milk. He also threw in half of an Oreo cookie with no cream on it to 'mimic the flakes you see' in a Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, and finished the drink off by adding some whipped cream on top. While speaking to Today recently about his viral fame, TK explained that he started posting the videos because he simply wanted to share his 'love and obsession with Dollar Tree.' In one video , which got over 1.4 million views, he explained that cooking up your own version of Starbucks's Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso only takes a few simple steps and ingredients In another video, TK broke down how you can make the brand's Vanilla Bean Frappuccino at home 'I have this love and obsession with Dollar Tree, but I didn't have anyone to share it with,' he explained. 'My friends and family in real life don't really get it. They're like, "Why are you going over there?"' But now, he believes the series has become more important than that. '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,' he said. 'Sometimes, random brands make affordable things for people with the same ingredients as the pricy stuff.' Many people have thanked TK for his money-saving advice in the comment section of his videos. 'Just made it, drinking it now! Thank you sooo much,' one user wrote under the clip of him making the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. 'I work at Starbucks and this is perfect!' gushed another. 'As a barista this is truly what it is! Making drinks from home and saving yourself $10 is this easy,' someone else chimed in. 'So I just made this, and I promise it's no exaggeration, this is the BEST homemade ice espresso I've made so far. Thank you for the inspiration, this will be my new go to,' read a fourth comment.