A customer has filed a $US5 million ($A6.5 million) lawsuit against Starbucks in the US, saying the chain puts "too much ice" in its cold drinks and consequently does not serve the volume of coffee or other liquid advertised.

According to CNN, which had access to the terms of the suit filed in Chicago, the document charges that Starbucks advertises the amount of coffee or other liquids their cold drinks contain, but that volume is only attained if the ice content is included.

"Starbucks has engaged in the practice of misrepresenting the amount of Cold Drink a customer will receive. As a result of this practice, Starbucks' Cold Drinks contain significantly less product than advertised, by design and corporate practice and procedure," the lawsuit filed by customer Stacy Pincus said.

One of the most typical sizes of cold beverages offered by the coffee-shop chain, for example, is advertised as having 24 liquid ounces (about 680ml), but according to the charge filed by Pincus, it contains a mere 14 ounces (about 400ml) of coffee or other liquid - the rest is ice.

"Our customers understand and expect that ice is an essential component of any 'iced' beverage. If a customer is not satisfied with their beverage preparation, we will gladly remake it," Starbucks spokeswoman Jamie Riley told CNN.