You can order just about anything through the Starbucks app, except, apparently, the most basic drink of all: water.
For years, the unofficial hack was to ask in-store or use a clever “name trick” in the app (like changing your pickup name to “Amy – plus a Venti water”). It wasn’t elegant, but it worked.
Now? Things are a little different.
Can You Still Order a Cup of Water on the Starbucks App?
Unfortunately, no.
You can’t directly add ice water or hot water to your order. The app doesn’t list them as menu options, only bottled water like Ethos.
That means if you want a free cup of filtered water, you’ll still need to ask in person when you pick up your drink.
“High-volume stores don’t have time to read cup names,” one barista explained on r/Starbucks “The system flags only official menu items.”
The “Name Trick” That Used to Work (and Why It Doesn’t Now)
Back in the day, customers discovered a quirky hack:
Change your pickup name in the app to something like “Amy, plus a Venti water.” or “Amy/VentiH2O”.
It was subtle, and some baristas would catch the hint and add a cup.
But as of the 2025 app update, stores are encouraged to ignore custom-name requests that aren’t tied to menu items. Combined with the new “paying customers only” water policy, it’s now basically retired.
What You Can Add Through the App
You can still order bottled options directly, which show up under the “Drinks” or “Other” categories in the app:
- Ethos® Water (Still)
- Hawai‘i Volcanic Water (Premium)
- Galvanina Sparkling Water
Just search “water” in the app, and those will appear, they’re paid items, but the only current way to order water digitally.
A Quick Laugh: When Ordering Water Was Still Free
Before Starbucks updated its policy, people got creative, and a little sneaky, about getting free water. The viral video below shows one of the old tricks customers used, like changing their pickup name in the app to “Venti Water” so the barista would catch the hint.
It’s funny now, especially knowing those days are over. But it also captures how something as simple as asking for water became part of Starbucks’ culture, equal parts awkward, clever, and weirdly charming.
Even if you can’t pull off the hack anymore, a little humor (and kindness) still goes a long way with your barista.
The Best Way to Get Water at Starbucks (Right Now)
If you’re already buying a drink, just ask the barista for a water cup, they’ll still give it to you for free with your order. If you’re not making a purchase, you’ll likely need to buy a bottled water, especially if it’s a busy location.
That said, Starbucks employees on Reddit have shared that some baristas may still offer free water in low-traffic hours or extreme heat situations. It’s not guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask politely.
The Workaround That Sort Of Helps
If you’re placing a drink order anyway, just leave a polite note in the “Customizations” box, something like:
“Please add a tall ice water if possible, thank you!”
It’s not guaranteed, but many baristas will add one if it’s not a rush hour. Think of it as a friendly request, not a hack.
The Reliable Way (In-Store)
If you’re in-store or at pickup, simply ask the barista when you collect your order.
“Hey, could I get a water cup with that too?”
You’ll get your filtered water, free with any paid order.
This remains the only consistent method as of Starbucks’ 2025 app policy update.
Final Thoughts
So, can you order water on the Starbucks app? Not really, and under Starbucks’ 2025 policy, you’ll need to be a paying customer to get a free cup.
If you’re just trying to stay hydrated, the bottled option is your best bet. If you’re truly in need, don’t be afraid to ask, most baristas still believe in kindness first.
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