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. This is an ultra comforting hot drink for when you’re feeling stuffy from a cold or need something to soothe an off-feeling stomach. Honestly, I also love this drink even when I’m feeling great—it’s delicious!
While it’s great to order this at Starbucks if you’re out and about, I like making it at home even more as you can use fresh herbs and customize the flavor and sweetness level to your liking.
Related– more Starbucks copycat recipes: Pink Drink, Paradise Drink, Mango Dragon Fruit Refresher, Strawberry Acai Refresher, Egg White Bites and homemade Frappuccino.
Ingredients
- Hot Water
- Lemonade bottled or made from a mix
- Mint Tea Any type of mint or spearmint tea. Starbucks specifically uses Jade Citrus Mint green tea.
- Peach Tea Starbucks uses Peach Tranquility tea. Any type of peach tea will work great.
- Honey or agave.
- Lemon freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Mint fresh mint leaves.
If you want a no-sugar added option for the lemonade, I recommend using water and True Lemon, which is simply crystalized lemon. I like adding this to drinking water, too.
What does Medicine Ball taste like?
The Medicine Ball (officially known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea on the Starbucks menu) tastes like a warm, sweet citrus and mint tea drink.
How to make Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink
To a large mug, add the lemonade mix, tea bags, honey, lemon slices, and mint leaves.
Heat the water to around 200°F (93°C) and pour into the mug. This will likely mix the honey and lemonade mix, but if you see any give the mixture a few stirs with a spoon to mix everything together well.
Allow to the tea to steep in hot water for 3-4 minutes. Sip as soon as it’s cool enough to enjoy. This also smells amazing in addition to being delicious.
Tips for Making
- If you are using pre-made (bottled) lemonade instead of water and a mix, you should heat the lemonade along with the water in this recipe.
- Honey can be soothing for a sore throat, but if you want to avoid all added sugars you can skip it or use less than this recipe calls for.
- While peach tea makes this Medicine Ball recipe more like the Starbucks version, you can use other fruit herbal teas if you prefer, like orange, mango or raspberry.
- If you use herbal teas your drink will be caffeine-free. Of course, if you prefer the added caffeine, be sure to choose teas that contain caffeine.
How to Order a Starbucks Medicine Ball
The Medicine Ball started out as a secret menu item. If you you want to order this drink at Starbucks the official menu name for it is Honey Citrus Mint Tea. If you are about to order and you can’t remember that name, don’t stress. Most baristas at Starbucks recognize the name Medicine Ball as that is how the drink originated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lemons good for you?
Lemons contain high amounts of vitamin C and can also be soothing to sore throats.
Is fresh mint good for you?
Mint may be helpful in aiding in digestion, soothing upset stomachs, or helping sooth cold symptoms.
Does herbal tea have caffeine?
No, herbal teas do not contain caffeine.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons lemonade mix
- 1 mint tea bag
- 1 peach tea bag
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ lemon
- 5 mint leaves
Instructions
- To a large mug, add the lemonade mix, tea bags, honey, lemon slices, and mint leaves.
- Heat the water to around 200°F (93°C) and pour into the mug.
- This will likely mix the honey and lemonade mix but if you see any give the mixture a few stirs with a spoon to mix everything together well.
- Allow to steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Sip as soon as it’s cool enough to enjoy. This also smells amazing in addition to being delicious.
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
This is SO good. I tried it at Starbucks on the recommendation of the podcast, and have been making it at home (this recipe minus the mint leaves) ever since! So cozy and refreshing!
Delicious, cozy, and comforting. I’d give this 10 stars if I could! This recipe tastes even better than the drink at Starbucks.
WOWZERS! Ive never had the Starbucks version, but I’m not sure I’ll have to after making this! I used what I had- Peppermint and Mango tea and lemonade mix. I’m so glad you talked about this in your podcast! Love you two and will be following recipes closely from here on out! #beautifulmessforever 🙂
agree agree!
I love mint tea when my stomach is upset so i’ll have to try this!
I make this recipe all the time, and it really does help me feel better when I’m under the weather. I have not tried with fresh mint, however. I’ll have to give that a try!
I love it with fresh mint but when I’m out or haven’t bought any I just make it without and it’s still delicious and comforting.
This is my favorite starbucks drink (that’s not coffee) SOOO good!