Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink

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When you want a warm, comforting drink after a long day, my Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink is just what you need! This comforting medicine ball recipe is sometimes called a “cold buster” for its soothing herbal and citrusy flavors. Best of all, it’s ready in under 15 minutes!

Jump to:

• Medicine Ball Recipe
• What’s in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?
• Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make a Medicine Ball
• Medicine Ball Drink Recipe Tips
• Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea Variations
• Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe FAQs
• How to Store Medicine Ball Tea
• Starbucks Copycat Recipes
• Pin it for later!
• Recipe
• Reviews

Medicine Ball Recipe

When cold and flu season hits, I always keep my family’s favorite teas on hand. Certain teas, like lemon tea, can actually aid in feeling better when you have sniffles or a sore throat (source).

By far, my number one tea to cozy up with is my copycat recipe for Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea. Flavored with honey, fresh mint and peppermint extract, lemon, and two types of herbal and fruit teas, this is a comforting medicine ball drink that you can rely on when you want a warm and soothing drink.

To be honest, though, I make this Starbucks drink medicine ball recipe year-round. It’s a great way to jazz up your morning tea routine, or to wind down at the end of a long day. And it’s completely caffeine-free, so you can enjoy it at any time of day, and so can kids or anyone sensitive to caffeine!

What’s in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?

The Starbucks medicine ball is also known as the “Cold Buster”, “Honey Citrus Mint Tea”, or simply “Medicine Ball Tea”, and is a popular hot beverage served at Starbucks.

The drink consists of hot water, lemon, two types of teas, mint, and honey. It first gained popularity for its potential soothing and immune-boosting properties, especially when you have a sore throat, thanks to its inclusion of honey and lemon (source).

Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe Ingredients

• Water: The base for steeping the tea.
• Lemonade or Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy citrus flavor that pairs with the sweetness of the honey and the herbal notes of the teas. Use either your favorite lemonade, or fresh lemon juice if you want to cut down on the sugar. Do not use bottled lemon juice; it has a totally different flavor and won’t taste good.
• Mint Tea Bag: Infuses the drink with a refreshing mint flavor. You can use your favorite brand of mint tea. If you’re not sure, try your local grocery store’s store brand first to keep it budget-friendly.
• Peach Tea Bag: Fruity and sweet, which pairs so well with the mint and citrus and adds depth to the tea, enhancing the overall taste.
• Peppermint Extract: Intensifies the minty freshness, giving the drink a cooling effect that is particularly soothing for sore throats (source).
• Honey: Acts as a natural sweetener, adding smoothness and soothing qualities to the drink. Use your favorite honey, or, if you’re not sure, look for a local honey for the best flavor.
• Fresh Lemons or Oranges: Provide a burst of citrus freshness, adding a natural tangy sweetness that balances the flavors of the drink. I like to use a mix of both (especially with those sweet Florida oranges!).
• Fresh Mint Leaves or Spearmint Leaves: Garnish with a pop of mint for extra flavor. A little fresh mint makes this drink so refreshing!

How to Make a Medicine Ball

1. Add water, lemonade, mint leaves, and a slice of lemon or orange to a pot to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
   
2. Once hot, add mint tea bag and peach tea bag and let it steep for 5 minutes.
   
3. Discard tea bags and pour the tea into a mug with honey. Add peppermint extract and stir until nicely combined. Enjoy!
   

The Starbucks secret menu is always a fun trend to follow, and it turns out the Starbucks medicine ball was so popular that it was added to the regular menu as honey citrus mint tea! After one sip, you’ll understand why: it is delicious and so comforting. But, I find it so much better to make at home. You can perfectly customize it to your liking, including adjusting the sugar content as needed.

Medicine Ball Drink Recipe Tips

• Always add the tea bags after the water has been heated to avoid bruising the tea, which can alter the flavor.
• Allow the tea to steep completely; this will ensure you get the maximum flavor and nutritional benefits from the tea.
• Because you want the best nutritional properties from the ingredients, the fresher they are, the better! I tend to prefer fresh lemon juice over lemonade, but my kids love the version with lemonade, so try experimenting with both.
• This recipe is excellent for batching and freezing, so it can be ready quickly when the cold weather comes around!
• Peppermint extract is potent. Start with just one drop and add another if you want a more robust peppermint flavor. Be careful not to add too much or you will quickly overpower the flavor of the tea.

Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea Variations

• Change the tea: The peach tea adds the perfect fruit flavor to pair with the mint and lemonade, but you can use any herbal tea! The medicine ball is also great with raspberry, blueberry, ginger, hibiscus, lavender, or lemongrass tea. You can combine these flavors to your taste. For instance, I love ginger and peach teas together. If you are making a medicine ball before bed, try it with Celestial Sleepytime Tea!
• Use flavored honey: I love good local honey, and depending on the season you can find some delicious variations out there. We like clover, wildflower, or orange blossom honey for extra flavor.
• Try it with homemade lemonade: Freshly squeezed homemade lemonade is so worth pulling out a juicer for. Adding it to the medicine ball is an extra special treat!
• Enjoy it iced: My medicine ball tea is fantastic hot, but don’t forget you can drink it iced as well! Allow the medicine ball to come to room temperature, then add it to a glass filled with ice. Adding it once it is at room temperature will keep it from melting the ice and becoming watered down.

Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe FAQs

How to Store Medicine Ball Tea

1. Cooling: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before storing it. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can dilute the tea and also raise the temperature inside of your refrigerator.
2. Container: Use an airtight container to store the tea. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids work well. Make sure the container is clean and dry before adding the tea.
3. Refrigeration: Store the tea in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. This helps to prevent bacteria growth and maintain the flavor of the tea.
4. Labeling: Label the container with the date you made the tea. This helps you keep track of its freshness and ensures you use it within a reasonable timeframe.
5. Duration: Medicine ball tea can typically be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After this time, its flavor may begin to deteriorate, and it’s best consumed fresh.
6. Shake before use: Before serving, give the container a gentle shake to remix any settled ingredients.

Starbucks Copycat Recipes

• Egg Bites
• Pumpkin Loaf
• Gingerbread Loaf
• Pink Drink
• White Chocolate Mocha Latte

Recipe