Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks to Cure What Ails You (2024)

This sniffles-fighting drink is on the Starbucks menu as honey citrus mint tea.

By

Jennifer Aldrich

Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks to Cure What Ails You (1)

Jennifer Aldrich is an experienced editor who has worked at the two largest magazine publishers in the United States. She shares her knowledge of social media to millions of users through the Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter accounts for Better Homes & Gardens.

Updated on January 11, 2024

Fact checked by

Emily Estep

Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks to Cure What Ails You (2)

Fact checked byEmily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she's an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants.

Between cold and flu season, COVID-19, and allergies, there are days when we all wake up feeling less than our best. Whether sniffles or a stuffy nose are rare or regular occurrences, it's never fun to be a little under the weather in any season. If you're only feeling a little off, there's a simple solution beyond soup: the Medicine Ball, Starbucks fans' (including Rachel Weber, former digital editorial director at Better Homes & Gardens) favorite get-better drink.

Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks to Cure What Ails You (3)

While some customers call this drink the Medicine Ball, others call it the Cold Buster. Whatever the name, unlike some secret menu items, this beverage is so popular it's on the Starbucks menu as the Honey Citrus Mint Tea, with customizations already set to transform the tea into a more restorative concoction.

The Medicine Ball or Cold Buster is made with Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea, Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea, hot water, steamed lemonade, and a hint of honey. To jazz it up, some customers also order a pump of peppermint syrup for extra flavor in their sniffles-busting beverage.

So, what can you expect from this mix? Starbucks notes the flavors "mingle tastefully well together for a tea that comforts from the inside out." Weber says it's her go-to drink when she feels under the weather and describes it as a "warm, healing mojito." The minty, fruity flavors taste delicious together, and the warmth of the drink (plus the soothing honey and tea) is a mood booster when you're feeling off.

When a Starbucks customer creation makes it to the official menu, you know it has to be something special, but you'll never know unless you try the Medicine Ball or Cold Buster out for yourself. So the next time you're feeling a little unwell, try ordering the Medicine Ball at Starbucks, and hopefully, you'll feel much more like yourself in no time.

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Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks to Cure What Ails You (2024)

FAQs

Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks to Cure What Ails You? ›

You won't see the words medicine ball on any Starbucks menu, so it's best to order the drink is to use its official name: Honey Citrus Mint Tea. It's possible your barista will recognize nicknames like Medicine Ball or Cold Buster, another way that Instagrammers referred to the drink in the late 2010s.

What does the Medicine Ball do for you at Starbucks? ›

The warmth of the tea and lemonade combo can help clear and soothe your stuffy sinuses. The Jade Citrus Mint tea has naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties—not enough to kill your cold, but enough to keep some of the discomfort at bay. The lemonade is also jam-packed with vitamin C.

What's the closest thing to a Medicine Ball at Starbucks? ›

This Starbucks medicine ball recipe is something you can find on the starbucks secret menu. It's sometimes referred to as the “Cold Buster” and is now officially on the menu as Honey Citrus Mint Tea.

Is the Medicine Ball from Starbucks healthy? ›

But while it sounds healthy, the reality is… it's not as healthy as you'd think. In fact a small Starbucks medicine ball contains over 30 grams of cane sugar! This recipe removes the refined sugar from the medicine ball and gives it a healthier twist… making it actually live up to the name of medicine ball!

Why can't you call it a Medicine Ball at Starbucks? ›

“During my training I was told we can't legally call it a 'medicine ball' because that would imply like medical/healing properties,” another claimed. Other commenters shared their experiences of customers allegedly asking their beverage be made with additional “medicine.”

Can I just ask for a Medicine Ball at Starbucks? ›

You won't see the words medicine ball on any Starbucks menu, so it's best to order the drink is to use its official name: Honey Citrus Mint Tea.

What is the best drink at Starbucks when sick? ›

The Medicine Ball or Cold Buster is made with Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea, Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea, hot water, steamed lemonade, and a hint of honey. To jazz it up, some customers also order a pump of peppermint syrup for extra flavor in their sniffles-busting beverage.

What does Starbucks call the Medicine Ball now? ›

And so it also was with the Medicine Ball, a drink that you may have heard someone with the sniffles order. Instead of christening the drink with the name it got famous with, Starbucks now calls it a Honey Citrus Mint Tea, and it's been put on the menu alongside Frapps and Refreshers.

What is the Sleepy Mama drink at Starbucks? ›

It's a venti iced chai tea latte with almond milk, two pumps, caramel syrup, caramel drizzle, and pumpkin cold foam.

How much does a Starbucks Medicine Ball cost? ›

FYI: The Starbucks Medicine Ball price is said to be upwards of $3.15 per Starbmag.com, and prices may vary by location.

Does Medicine Ball actually help? ›

The drink's soothing qualities mostly stem from the fact that medicine ball tea is warm and hydrating, which can help soothe a sore throat when you're feeling under the weather.

Is the Medicine Ball on Starbucks secret menu? ›

If you're feeling poorly or looking to warm up this winter, the Starbucks secret menu's Medicine Ball may be the perfect fix.

Why is it called a Medicine Ball? ›

Hippocrates used medicine balls filled with sand to help people develop strength and President Hoover introduced the Hoover medicine ball in 1931. Given all that they do for our bodies and that the word medicine was first synonymous with the word health, “medicine ball” was the perfect name.

What is equivalent to a Medicine Ball at Starbucks? ›

After a little research, I found that a customer actually concocted this tea drink and it was previously on the Starbuck secret menu, but because of the popularity it had, the company made it an official drink – Honey Citrus Mint Tea.

What tea is good for sick people at Starbucks? ›

The “Medicine Ball” — also known as the “Cold Buster” — originated as a secret menu item but became so popular that the chain decided to officially add it to the menu, listed as the Honey Citrus Mint Tea.

What brand is Starbucks Medicine Ball? ›

Starbucks Medicine Ball | TikTok. Starbucks Medicine Ball, also known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, is a popular drink that is made with a blend of hot water, steamed lemonade, Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea, and Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea.

Does the Starbucks Medicine Ball have caffeine? ›

The green tea adds about 20 grams of caffeine to the drink, which is just a small portion of the 400 milligrams of caffeine a day that is considered safe for most adults, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What does a Medicine Ball do? ›

A medicine ball is commonly used to build core strength, which means building muscles in your abdomen and back. This helps with balance, posture, and overall wellness through proper alignment.

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