This Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea is a deliciously soothing copycat recipe made with peach and mint teas, honey, and lemonade!
If you’re fighting a cold, the winter blues, or simply want something tasty to sip on, this hot drink will definitely hit the spot.
Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea
Last year, the Medicine Ball Tea cold buster drink took social media by storm as Starbucks’ newest secret menu item.
You might remember that the Pink Drink was so big it’s now officially on the Starbucks menu; well, they’ve done the same with this one; you can order it under the name: Honey Citrus Mint Tea!
However, if you don’t feel like dropping $5 on one at Starbucks, it’s actually really easy and affordable to make them right at home! Wondering what’s in a Medicine Ball Tea at Starbucks? Keep scrolling to find out!
What are the health benefits of a Medicine Ball Drink?
- Lemonade provides vitamin C, loosens congestions, and can boost the immune system.
- Honey helps soothe sore throats and can help fight underlying cold symptoms thanks to it’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Tea can decrease pain, inflammation, congestion, and body aches.
Medicine Ball Drink ingredients
- water
- Teavana Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea
- Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea
- honey
- lemonade
- lemon slice
You’re going to need a package of Teavana Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea and Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea, they are expensive online, but thankfully, Target knows its audience well and usually has it in stock.
They are around $5 each, but you get 15 bags in each container, which means you can make 15 drinks! Add on the cost of lemonade, and you’re looking at about $1 per drink – that’s a huge savings! And this recipe tastes EXACTLY the same as the Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea your barista makes!
You’ll also need water, honey, and lemonade. I like to use either Newman’s Own or Uncle Matt’s because I think they have really great flavor. Simply Lemonade is a decent option too.
Medicine Ball Starbucks Recipe substitutions
- Lemon juice and extra hot water instead of lemonade.
- Any peach tea.
- Any mint tea (although I don’t recommend peppermint)
- Use green tea with fresh mint leaves.
Any substitution beyond these will begin to weaken the cold-fighting concoction.
How to make a Medicine Ball
Save yourself some money and make this easy drink recipe right at home with these step-by-step instructions!
- Steep tea bags in hot water.
- Add the honey.
- Pour in the steamed lemonade and stir together.
Feel free to serve it with sliced lemons!
If you have an espresso machine (I have this one), then you can use the steamer attached to it to steam your lemonade which is how Starbucks prepares this drink. However, if you don’t, simply heat the lemonade up on the stovetop.
If you’re making this to soothe a cold or sore throat, many recommend adding an optional pump of peppermint syrup to your medicine ball. However, if you’re making it at home, just a couple of drops of peppermint extract will do! You can also snag yourself a bottle of Torani Peppermint Syrup online!
How To Make An Iced Medicine Ball Drink
Even though this beverage was originally created to kick cold and flu season to the curb, it’s actually really delicious, and it’s REALLY good iced!
- Steep tea for 5 minutes.
- Add to a drink shaker with ice, lemonade, and honey.
- Shake until chilled, then enjoy!
Or, you know, if you’re a mom to young kids, just forget about that mug for a few hours and come back to it later. You should be well-practiced in that 😉
Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea variations
- Add fresh mint for even more flavor.
- The peach tea is mostly for flavor, so feel free to swap it with another tea you enjoy.
- Use steamed orange juice in place of lemonade.
Tips for making this Copycat Medicine Ball Recipe
- Don’t over steep your tea as this could cause the drink to become bitter.
- Substitute the lemonade for lemon juice and water to reduce sugar before omitting the honey.
- Enjoy hot for best results.
If you’re feeling under the weather and want something a little stronger than regular herbal teas or this Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink, you can also try my Hot Toddy recipe or one of my other hot beverages!
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!
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Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea (Copycat Medicine Ball Tea Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 ounces water
- 1 bag Teavana Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea
- 1 bag Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 cup lemonade
- 1 lemon slice optional
Instructions
- Heat the water and steep the teabags for 5 minutes.
- Add the honey and stir.
- Steam or heat up the lemonade then pour it into the tea. Add a lemon slice and enjoy.
Notes
- This is for a “tall”, if you want a “grande” simply add an additional 4 ounces of water and keep the rest of the recipe the same.
- Feel free to add some peppermint simple syrup or a couple of drops of peppermint extract.
- Even though this drink was originally created to kick cold and flu season to the curb. It’s actually really delicious and it’s REALLY good iced!
- Steep tea for 5 minutes.
- Add to a drink shaker with ice, lemonade, and honey.
- Shake until chilled then enjoy!
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Toni says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I love it! Really refreshing and so healthy!
Lori Lange says
I’m a tea drinker when I go to Starbucks, so I was happy to find your recipe. So good!
Beth says
This looks so delicious and tasty! My daughter is going to love this recipe! So excited!