Years ago, I made a resolution to financially wise up and limit myself to buying just one cup of coffee a week. It's safe to say that this resolution has been less than successful. It's not for a lack of options. I can easily brew a coffee at home, or even use the electric machine in the Food & Wine office, but it just doesn't have the allure of a great coffee shop or the magic of a piping, high quality La Marzocco espresso.

As I struggle with this self-imposed limit, I've stumbled upon a little secret, a hack, if you will, made popular on social platforms Instagram and TikTok. It's the not-so-new strategy of getting your iced latte at a bargain. This ingenious method has been subtly different in versions shared online but the essence remains the same - buy just an espresso at a cafe and pour it over a filled cup of ice and milk that you've brought along. It's an effort to bring down the iced latte expense by a dollar or two. Does it sound too simple to be true? Or is it just frugal brilliance?

Whilst it doesn't slash your coffee cost by half, it's a strategy that provides gradual savings over time. The cash saved depends on individual cafe prices, and can diverge based on the cost living in different areas. Most establishments do charge more for an iced latte compared to just a shot of espresso, making this hack applicable in most places.

Case in point, my preferred independent coffee shop in Brooklyn, New York charges $3.75 for a shot of espresso, and a steep $5.5 for an ordinary 12-ounce iced latte. If your choice of milk is oat milk, the cost skyrockets to $6.25. The price gap between the two beverages ranges from $1.75 to $2.50. A weekly purchase of three iced lattes with regular milk makes your annual savings a grand total of $273, and that's not including tax and tip.

Similar savings can be achieved at my nearest Starbucks, with the price difference between a 12-ounce iced latte and a double espresso shot being $1.80. Unlike other coffee shops, Starbucks's tall lattes are single shot, unless you opt for Venti and Grande sizes. If you feel adventurous and add a second shot, your savings shoot up to $2.50. Fortunately, the coffee giant doesn't charge extra for non-dairy milk alternatives.

It is essential to note though, this unique coffee price hack demands some preparation and forethought. So if you are racing against the clock and need a quick caffeine shot, this might not be your cup of tea. The savings come from bringing your own milk and ice, and for this, you'll need three key items: milk, ice, and a portable cup.

The process is easy. Before you step into your favorite cafe, fill your travel coffee cup with ice and your chosen milk. If your office is like mine and keeps a regular stock of high-quality milk, you can perform this money-saving ritual at work or home. Arrive at the cafe, place an order for an espresso, and upon receiving it, pour it into your pre-filled cup of milk and ice. Congratulations, you've just made your own iced latte!

Could you use the same trick for a hot latte? Theoretically, yes, but it is a tad more complex. The milk would need to be heated prior to adding it to your cup and won’t deliver the barista-standard, frothy top. It is effectively suitable for both hot and cold Americano – just replace the milk with hot or iced water in your cup. Perhaps saving has never been this delicious!