How to Order and Make the Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink
Learn the secrets to ordering, customizing, and making Starbucks' famed Medicine Ball tea, your go-to soothing remedy for cold and flu season.
If you’re searching for a soothing, warm drink to help ease cold symptoms or simply enjoy a refreshing blend of tea, lemonade, and honey, the Starbucks Medicine Ball (now officially called Honey Citrus Mint Tea) is an excellent choice. This guide will walk you through everything: ordering it at Starbucks, understanding its origins, what goes into it, how it can be customized, its health benefits, and how to recreate it at home for ultimate comfort.
What Is a Medicine Ball Drink?
The Medicine Ball became famous as a Starbucks “secret menu” item around 2017. Customers originally asked baristas for a custom blend of mint and peach teas, steamed lemonade, and honey as a cold remedy. Its popularity spiked so much that Starbucks added it to their official menu under the name Honey Citrus Mint Tea, but regulars still call it Medicine Ball or “Cold Buster Tea”.
This drink is commonly sought out for its soothing, comforting properties, making it especially popular during cold and flu season. Key flavors include citrus, mint, and peach, giving it a balanced taste of sweet and tart, with a gentle herbal undertone.
How to Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks
Although the official menu lists it as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, you can still ask for a “Medicine Ball.” Most baristas know the nickname, but clarifying the official name helps ensure your order is understood.
- Ask for “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” or say “I’d like a Medicine Ball”—either way works.
- Specify customizations as desired—such as extra honey, less lemonade, or caffeine-free substitute teas.
- Choose your size (Tall, Grande, or Venti), just like any other hot Starbucks beverage.
If your location runs out of the original Teavana teas, Starbucks will substitute with their current supply, such as Mint Majesty (herbal, caffeine-free). Always check if caffeine content matters for you.
Customizations and Ordering Tips
- Extra honey: For more sweetness or a more soothing throat feel.
- Less lemonade: If you prefer a less tart flavor.
- Caffeine-free: Request “Mint Majesty” as the caffeine-free substitute for Jade Citrus Mint.
- More mint or peach: Ask for extra tea bags if you want a stronger minty or peach flavor.
- Temperature: Request “extra hot” or “not too hot” based on your preference.
The Medicine Ball is usually served with a sleeve around the cup since it’s served hot, perfect for comforting your throat.
Medicine Ball Ingredients
| Ingredient | Description / Brand | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Jade Citrus Mint Tea | Teavana (Green/Mint/Citrus); Mint Majesty if unavailable | Base flavor, minty, mild caffeine |
| Peach Tranquility Tea | Teavana (Peach/Chamomile) | Sweet, fruity floral, caffeine-free |
| Steamed Lemonade | Fresh or from concentrate | Tartness, vitamin C boost |
| Hot Water | Filtered | Makes the drink a tea and tempers tartness |
| Honey | Local or Starbucks honey blend | Sweetening, soothing throat |
For the optimal flavor, Starbucks uses Teavana-branded teas, but if making at home, you can substitute other brands or loose-leaf teas. The base of the drink is essentially two types of tea—one minty and one peachy—plus steamed lemonade and honey.
Nutritional Information
| Serving Size | Calories | Sugar | Carbohydrates | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (12–16 oz) | ~163–191 | ~42g | ~43g | 0.2g | 20mg |
Most of the calories come from lemonade and honey. Customizing the drink with less honey or reduced-sugar lemonade can significantly lower these numbers.
The Health Benefits and Uses of Medicine Ball Tea
Originally popularized as a “cold buster,” many drinkers turn to the Medicine Ball for:
- Soothing sore throat: The warmth, honey, and lemon are both comforting and mildly antimicrobial.
- Relieving stuffy noses: Peppermint and citrus can help open nasal passages and provide relief from congestion.
- Hydration: Steamy drinks encourage sipping and hydration, which is crucial for recovery.
- Vitamin C: Lemons and lemonade offer a boost of vitamin C, supporting immune function.
- Mild caffeine boost: Green teas in Jade Citrus Mint add a slight kick without excess caffeine.
While not a cure for illness, the combination of warmth, hydration, and soothing ingredients makes it a popular choice during cold weather or when feeling under the weather.
How to Make Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea at Home
Homemade Medicine Ball is straightforward to prepare using widely available teas and basic kitchen equipment. The following recipe is adapted from several copycat sources and can be customized to taste.
Classic Copycat Medicine Ball Recipe
- 3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup lemonade (fresh or store-bought; Simply Lemonade is popular)
- 1 bag mint tea (Jade Citrus Mint or Tazo Lemon Ginger as substitute)
- 1 bag peach tea (Teavana Peach Tranquility or Celestial Seasonings Peach)
- 1–2 teaspoons honey (to taste)
- Lemon slices or freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional, for extra brightness)
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional, for greater mint effect)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine water and lemonade in a small saucepan. Heat until hot but not boiling (about 190°F), or microwave in a mug for fast preparation.
- Place one bag each of mint tea and peach tea in a large mug.
- Pour the hot lemonade-water mixture over the tea bags.
- Steep for 2–4 minutes, depending on desired strength.
- Remove tea bags. Stir in honey and, if desired, add a squeeze of lemon or peppermint extract.
- Enjoy immediately while hot.
Tips:
- Use organic or loose-leaf teas for improved flavor and purity.
- Homemade steamed lemonade can be made by gently warming fresh-squeezed lemon juice with water and a touch of sugar.
- Increase or decrease honey to adjust sweetness.
- Extra mint or peach tea bags create a stronger, deeper flavor.
- Store leftovers in the fridge and reheat gently as needed.
Making Medicine Ball at home is cost-effective and allows you to control the ingredients, sweetness level, and caffeine content. It’s especially helpful for those who want to avoid high sugar or additives typically found in coffee shop versions.
Ingredient Swaps and Alternatives
- No caffeine: Substitute the mint tea with Mint Majesty (herbal) or a pure mint herbal tea for a completely caffeine-free version.
- No peach tea: Use chamomile, hibiscus, or another floral tea for the peachy note.
- Reduce sugar: Opt for light lemonade, or mix your own with fresh lemons and little honey.
- Boost potency: Add a pinch of ground ginger or peppermint extract for extra relief.
Starbucks sometimes runs out of special Teavana-branded teas; at home, substitute your favorite brands, including loose-leaf for a healthier, environmentally-friendly brew.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the official Starbucks menu name for the Medicine Ball?
A: It is called Honey Citrus Mint Tea on the Starbucks menu, but “Medicine Ball” and “Cold Buster” are common nicknames.
Q: Is the Medicine Ball good for colds or flu?
A: Many people turn to it for relief from cold symptoms due to its warmth, honey, and citrus content. However, it is not a medical treatment, only a soothing comfort drink.
Q: Can I order a decaffeinated Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
A: Yes. Request a caffeine-free mint herbal tea (Mint Majesty) instead of Jade Citrus Mint; Peach Tranquility is already herbal and caffeine-free.
Q: Can you make Medicine Ball without Teavana teas?
A: Absolutely! Substitute mint tea with Tazo Lemon Ginger or Mint Medley, and peach tea with Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion or any floral herbal tea.
Q: How can I make a Medicine Ball less sweet?
A: Use less honey or reduced-sugar lemonade. Homemade lemonade offers more control over tartness and sweetness.
Q: Is the Medicine Ball safe for kids?
A: The caffeine content in Jade Citrus Mint is mild; request herbal substitutes for a caffeine-free version for children.
Medicine Ball at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Menu Name | Honey Citrus Mint Tea |
| Common Nicknames | Medicine Ball, Cold Buster |
| Main Ingredients | Mint tea, Peach tea, Lemonade, Honey, Hot Water |
| Customizations | More/less honey, caffeine-free teas, extra mint/peach |
| Why People Order It | Soothing for sore throat/cold, comforting, flavorful |
| How to Order | “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” or “Medicine Ball” |
Enjoying Your Medicine Ball — At Starbucks and at Home
Whether you order the classic Medicine Ball (Honey Citrus Mint Tea) at Starbucks or make your own copycat version at home, you can enjoy a customizable, warming drink perfect for the cold season. Tailor it to your tastes by swapping teas, adjusting sweetness, and experimenting with flavors. Not only is it soothing and comforting, but making it at home gives you full control over quality, nutrition, and cost.
Next time you feel that tickle in your throat or simply want a flavorful hot beverage, try the Medicine Ball and feel better with every sip!
