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Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea recipe is a soothing, homemade congestion-relieving remedy to help you feel better when the sniffles strike or you want to ward off the common cold, soothe a sore throat, or control a cough.
This DIY version only takes 5 minutes to make by seeping 2 types of tea bags in boiling water and mixing in honey and lemonade; it’s a fraction of the price you’ll find at Starbucks and prepared with less sugar.
When you can make the same simple medicine ball drink at home without driving to the store, why risk spreading germs when you can sip it from the comfort of your couch?
What is a Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea is a comforting blend of herbal teas, flavored with citrus and honey. It’s an invigorating drink that has been enjoyed by Starbucks fans around the world for many years now.
For years it has been a Starbucks “secret menu Item” and sometimes referred to as Cold Buster Tea. Recently, Starbucks has added it to their official menu by the name of Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
Why we love Medicine Ball Starbucks tea
- Made with only 5 ingredients, one of which is water.
- Most delicious, slightly sweet, soothing cup of tea you’ve ever tasted.
- Good to have on hand during cold and flu season.
- Healthy, healing, comforting hot drink to warm you up when you don’t feel well.
- Customizable! Change up your drink by using your favorite brands and varieties of tea AND you can control the sugar content.
Starbucks Medicine Ball ingredients
- Peach tea: I used a sachet of Teavana Peach Tranquility herbal tea but you can use your favorite brand.
- Jade citrus mint green tea: I used a sachet of Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea but you can use your favorite brand.
- Hot Water
- Honey
- Lemonade: I used Simply Lemonade in this recipe but feel free to use any frozen, fresh, or homemade lemonade or substitute fresh lemon juice (you will need to add additional water if you do this)
You can buy a complete set of Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea and Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea and honey sticks here! There are 15 of each flavor of tea – How convenient is that for a fraction of the price of one Starbucks!
Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe substitutions and additions
- Swap The Sweetener: You can substitute agave nectar, maple syrup, or simple syrup for the honey if you prefer.
- Make It More Minty: If you’d like your tea to taste mintier, you can add some peppermint extract (if you’re making this at home) or ask for a pump of peppermint syrup if you are ordering it at Starbucks. Feel free to include some fresh mint leaves too.
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Jump to RecipeHow to make Medicine Ball Tea (Starbucks copycat)
- Make Your Mug: Add both tea bags to a mug, pour in boiling water and honey, stir, and let steep until desired strength (I recommend at least 5 minutes). Add lemonade and stir to combine.
- Serve: Sip and enjoy!
Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe tips
- You can heat the water in a microwave, on the stovetop in a saucepan, or in a tea kettle.
- If you prefer to sip a cold drink over one that is hot, you can serve it as a sweet tea over ice.
- For a lower sugar option, you can use lemon juice in place of the lemonade.
- Feel free to use steamed lemonade if you want to prepare your tea just like Starbucks!
How to store Starbucks Medicine Ball
How long does Starbucks medicine tea last in the fridge?
The Starbucks medicine ball tea can typically last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days if stored properly in an airtight container.
Can I freeze the Starbucks medicine ball?
It is generally not recommended to freeze the Starbucks medicine ball. Freezing can affect the taste and texture of the ingredients, particularly the honey and lemon. It’s best to consume it fresh or store it in the fridge for a few days.
More Copycat Starbucks Recipes
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Pumpkin Scones (Starbucks Copycat Recipe!)
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (Starbuck Copycat Recipe)
Medicine Ball (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) FAQs
What does medicine ball tea taste like?
Peach is the dominant flavor of this medicine ball tea and masks most of the bitterness of the green tea. The lemonade flavor is less prominent and there is just a hint of mint. If you’d like to add a bit more mint, a drop of pure peppermint extract will be plenty.
What type of tea should I use to make medicine ball tea (Starbucks)?
You can use any brand of tea that you like. We love Teavana teas, so that is our go-to brand, but feel free to use whatever fruity and mint tea combination you prefer!
Is there caffeine in Starbucks Medicine Ball?
Medicine ball tea does contain about 16-25 mg of caffeine from the Jade Citrus Mint green tea bag. The herbal peach tea is caffeine-free. You can use a substitute decaf of the mint tea bag.
Does Medicine Ball Tea really work?
While we cannot claim that Starbucks has invented a cure for the common cold. In our experience and many others, this tea recipe has made us feel a heck of a lot better!
Can I use lemon juice instead of lemonade?
Yes, you can use lemon juice instead of lemonade. We prefer the taste of lemonade (it is closer to the Starbucks version), but if you are looking to cut out the sugar, you can swap it. If you do this, you will want to add an additional cup of water and about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
How do I order the Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
Medicine Ball Tea used to only be on the secret Starbucks menu but has been added to their regular menu. Most baristas will know it if you order it by name, but in the chance that they don’t you just order a Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
Note: Some customers like to order an additional pump of peppermint to help really clear those nasal passages! Just be sure to include this in your order.
To order your Medicine Ball Tea on the Starbucks app, go to Hot Teas, scroll down to Green Teas and select Honey Citrus Mint Tea. This Starbucks drink comes in Short, Tall, Grande and Venti. It is made up of Lemonade, 2 tea bags and 2 pumps of their honey blend. (Don’t forget to add the extra pump of peppermint if you want it!)
Is Starbucks Medicine Ball good for you?
While I cannot claim that medicine ball tea can cure the flu or common cold, there is plenty of science behind the list of ingredients, all with proven health benefits.
– Vitamin C found in lemon juice is known to reduce the length of a cold and help relieve congestion faster.
– Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants and has natural anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe a sore throat.
– Honey is a natural cough suppressant and may reduce symptoms from an upper respiratory tract infection.
The bottom line is that medicinal hot beverages hydrate and help you recover faster from uncomfortable cold symptoms.
Does Starbucks Medicine Ball help sore throat?
The Starbucks Medicine Ball, also known as “Honey Citrus Mint Tea,” contains ingredients such as honey, lemon, and mint that can provide temporary relief for a sore throat. However, it’s important to note that individual results may vary, and it is not a substitute for proper medical treatment or advice. If you have a severe or persistent sore throat, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional.
Do medicine balls make you sleepy?
While the Starbucks Medicine Ball includes ingredients like mint that may have a soothing effect, it is not specifically designed to induce sleepiness. The tea primarily aims to provide relief for cold symptoms and throat discomfort. If you are seeking a beverage to help you sleep, there are other herbal teas or relaxation blends that may be more suitable.
Other Easy Drink Recipes
- Copycat Sonic Slushes
- Dirty Shirley Float
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4.80 from 5 votes
Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe (Medicine Ball Tea)
Author — Jennifer Fishkind
Serves — 1
Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea is so quick and easy to make at home using 5 simple ingredients with proven health benefits. Skip the drive-thru, stay in bed, and let this simple remedy relieve your cold symptoms.
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 7 minutes mins
Ingredients
- 1 sachet Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea
- 1 sachet Teavana Jade Citrus Mint
- 8 ounces water freshly boiled
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 8 ounces Simply Lemonade
Instructions
Add both tea bags in a mug. Pour 8 ounces of boiling water and honey, stir until dissolved. Let steep for 2-5 minutes, or until desired strength.
Add lemonade, stir to combine, and enjoy!
(Optional – you can heat up the lemonade to keep the drink hot)
Jenn’s Notes
Makes: 1 16-ounce drink
Tips:
- You can heat the water in a microwave, on the stovetop in a saucepan, or in a tea kettle.
- If you prefer to sip a cold drink over one that is hot, you can serve it as a sweet tea over ice.
- For a lower sugar option, you can use lemon juice in place of the lemonade.
- Feel free to use steamed lemonade if you want to prepare your tea just like Starbucks!
Nutrition Info
Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 0.1g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 0.04g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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