When I first discovered Starbucks’ secret menu Medicine Ball during a particularly rough cold season, I was amazed by how this simple combination of teas, honey, and lemonade could be both soothing and delicious. After countless visits to recreate that comforting warmth at home, I perfected the medicine ball drink that delivers the same cozy satisfaction without the coffee shop price tag or the need to explain a secret menu item to confused baristas.
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The origin of the Starbucks Medicine Ball
This beloved drink started as a grassroots secret menu creation that became so popular, Starbucks officially added it to their menu as “Honey Citrus Mint Tea.” The unofficial name “Medicine Ball” stuck because customers found it particularly comforting during illness, though it’s equally enjoyable as a warming beverage any time.
What makes the Starbucks Medicine Ball one of the most comforting hot tea recipes for when you are under the weather
Being sick is no fun. When you’re ill enough, you’ll try anything to feel better, whatever the taste. Well, the next time you feel under the weather, try this Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe; you won’t need to sacrifice flavor for relief.
So, what is a medicine ball from Starbucks? Think of it as a refined version of citrus and mint tea, with a little honey. The ingredients in a Medicine Ball include two of the most popular Teavana teas, natural honey, and hot lemonade.
Medicine Ball is one of Starbucks’ secret menu items. It was so popular, they made it part of their official menu. You will need to order it by its official name, Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
The drink’s vitamin C, mint, and chamomile help relieve even the scratchiest throat or the most stubborn cough.
Why these ingredients aid in cold and flu symptoms
Tea and lemon contain many antioxidants that help soothe even the worst colds. Lemons deliver a blast of vitamin C to boost the immune system. Mint acts as an expectorant and decongestant, which is great for congestion. Honey has been used since ancient times to soothe sore throats and coughing.
What Makes This a Great Recipe for You To Use
Although Medicine Ball is not on every Starbucks menu, you can make it at home with just a few simple ingredients. If you can brew tea, you can whip up this drink in under five minutes and for a fraction of the price you would pay in the cafe.
You don’t need to wait until you feel sick to make this delicious drink. Starbucks Medicine Ball tea is a perfect alternative to coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. Â This comforting drink can help boost your immune system and is the perfect beverage to enjoy at home. So, if you need a cold-buster tea, look no further. Grab your favorite mug and watch as your runny nose and cold symptoms get some relief.Â
What’s in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?
For the Tea Base
- Water – Forms the foundation for proper tea extraction and optimal flavor development
- Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea – Provides energizing green tea base with bright citrus and refreshing mint notes
- Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea – Contributes gentle peach flavor with chamomile and rose hips for complexity
For Sweetening and Enhancement
- Honey – Adds natural sweetness while potentially providing soothing throat benefits
- Lemonade – Brings vitamin C content and balances the tea flavors with citrusy brightness
Ingredient Notes
Starbucks uses Teavana teas. You will need Jade Citrus Mint Tea and Peach Tranquility Tea.Â
Jade Citrus Mint Tea from Teavana is a green tea with lemon verbena, lemongrass, and spearmint. This unique blend can sometimes be tricky to find, but you can use another brand of green tea with lemongrass and lemon verbena as an alternative. Refer to the section below for a suitable alternative.
Peach Tranquility Tea is also from Teavana. It is an herbal tea made from peach, apple, tropical pineapple, chamomile flowers, chamomile pollen, rose hips, and herbs with distinctive citrus notes from lemon verbena. Peach Tranquility Tea is distinct from other peach teas, so it is best to use the genuine product. However, if you can’t find it, check below for a suitable replacement.
Amazon sells this tea in a handy two-pack.
Honey has antimicrobial properties and has been used in traditional medicine for ages.
How To Make a Medicine Ball Tea From Starbucks
To prepare this copycat Starbucks medicine ball recipe:
- Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
- Turn off the heat and add the Jade Citrus Mint tea bag and Peach Tranquility Herbal tea bag to the hot water.
- Brew the tea for 1.5 minutes, then discard the bags.
- Stir the honey into the tea.
- Add the lemonade to the saucepan, and heat over a medium-low burner until hot.
- If desired, pour the Medicine Ball into two large mugs and garnish with lemon wheels and fresh mint.
- Refer to the recipe card for the exact portions and the complete recipe.
If you can’t find Teavana brand, try these substitutions
Teavana isn’t available everywhere, and even when you can find it, some stores are out of the flavors you want. If your local stores are out of Jade Citrus Mint Tea or Peach Tranquility Tea, you will usually have better luck online.
However, if you need an alternative to the Jade Citrus Mint Tea, try Wissotzky Tea, or Celestial Seasonings Magic Mint Tea, and add a few fresh mint leaves or drops of spearmint extract.
Finding a substitute to match the complex flavors in Peach Tranquility Tea is a little trickier. Although it is not a perfect match, you can try Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion or Bigelow Peach Tea as a substitute.
What Goes With a Starbucks Medicine Ball?
It is best to sip a Medicine Ball without any side dish. However, if you need a nibble, something plain with a hint of sweetness is preferable. Perhaps try pairing the beverage with a digestive or shortbread cookie.
Favorite Starbucks copycat recipes for drinks
- Apple Crisp Macchiato
- Cafe Mocha
- Caramel Latte
- Cinnamon Dolce Latte
- Flat White Coffee
- London Fog Tea Latte
- Vanilla Latte
- White Mocha
Popular Starbucks Food Recipes
Check out more of my easy drink recipes and the best copycat Starbucks recipes on CopyKat!
Starbucks Medicine Ball Easy Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 sachet Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea
- 1 sachet Teavana Peach Tranquility tea
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 cups lemonade
- 1 sprig fresh mint to garnish (optional)
- 1 slice lemon to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Turn off the heat, place both tea sachets into the saucepan, and steep for 90 seconds. Remove the tea sachets.
- Add the honey to the brewed tea and stir until it dissolves. Add the lemonade and warm the mixture over low heat for about 1 minute.
- Garnish with fresh mint and a lemon slice if desired.
Can I use Country Time Lemonade or do I have to make the lemonade from scratch?
I think you could do either.
The best when you have a cold, or just on a cold snowy day.
I tried this with the Celestial seasonings tea, and it as pretty close.
This is perfect for a sore throat.
I love this Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe! It’s so easy and fun to do.
11/2 cup lemonade? Or lemon juice?
Use lemonade please, otherwise it will be very sour.
Works great for colds and sinuses