Feeling under the weather and looking for a soothing, warm drink?
The Starbucks Medicine Ball—officially known as the Honey Citrus Mint Tea—is a popular cold-relief drink made with:
- Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea
- Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea
- Steamed lemonade
- Honey
Quick Answer: What is a medicine ball at Starbucks?
The Starbucks Medicine Ball, officially called Honey Citrus Mint Tea, is a warm, honey-infused tea blend that started as a secret menu item before becoming part of the official menu.
Known for its soothing ingredients, it’s a popular choice for those looking for a comforting drink, especially when feeling under the weather.
In this guide, I’ll explain what a Medicine Ball is, how to order one, its benefits, and how to make one at home.
Why is it called a medicine ball?
It might roll off the tongue a little easier than saying “honey citrus mint tea,” but there is more to the name medicine ball than saving you a few syllables.
The ingredients in Starbucks’ honey citrus mint tea are similar to what one might find in traditional home remedies like a hot toddy, which is a hot drink traditionally prepared to help someone fight off a cold.
This is likely where the name medicine ball came from.
Natural healing ingredients
Let’s look at the main ingredients to help you understand the medicinal value of honey citrus mint tea:
| Ingredient | Description | Health Benefits |
| 🍵 Jade Citrus Mint Tea | Green tea with hints of mint and lemon | Green Tea: Anti-inflammatory properties and gastrointestinal benefits. Mint: Soothes a sore throat and has antibacterial properties. |
| 🍑 Peach Tranquility Tea | Herbal tea with peach, pineapple, and chamomile | Chamomile is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory effects. |
| 🍋 Steamed Lemonade | Fresh lemonade, heated to blend with the tea | Citrus: High vitamin C content helps the body recover from infections. |
| 🍯 Honey | Fresh lemonade, heated to blend with the tea | Rich in antioxidants and provides energy to fight infections. Soothes sore throats and helps with cough relief. |
These ingredients are easily found in most households, and the drink is made hot to help break down mucus in the chest and throat.
How to order a medicine ball at Starbucks
You can order Honey Citrus Mint Tea from your Starbucks barista or via the Starbucks app. If these options are unavailable, you can use a third-party service like Uber Eats.
The only thing stopping most people from ordering a medicine ball at Starbucks is that they are unaware that it was added to the menu.
Before, the medicine ball was considered a “secret menu item,” and you had to know the right ingredients to combine it.
Getting your barista to deviate from the menu might also take a little sweet-talking. But you can also make this beverage at home:
Make your own medicine ball at home
This is entirely possible if you feel creative and want to make your own medicine ball infusion at home.
It may take some experimentation to get the taste right, but you can modify the recipe to suit your tastes.
It’s possible to make your own medicine ball at home. This copycat recipe from An Affair From The Heart is one of the top-rated among many medicine ball recipes available online.
It’s really that simple. Teavana Jade Citrus Tea and Teavana Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea are available on Amazon from Teavana and are delicious on their own!
The pairing is so popular that it’s also available as the Teavana Cold Buster Medicine Ball (available on Amazon.com).
It’s a caffeine-free combo deal that combines the two herbal teas for your convenience.
Other ingredients to consider for your homemade medicine ball
If you would like to make things a little more interesting, you can always add or substitute new ingredients to give your medicine ball a personality of its own.
Starbucks might even want to take some notes if you find the next taste sensation!
Ginger
The ginger root is widely used not just for its unique flavor but also for its medicinal value.
If you like the taste of ginger, it could take your medicine ball to the next level, but it must be noted that less is often more, especially with fresh ginger.
You can add ginger to your medicine ball in a few ways:
- Use a ginger tea bag or grate some fresh ginger into the water while brewing
- Use slices of ginger for a subtler flavor
Ginger is an excellent addition to your tea, especially if you feel a little green. It is known to help with nausea and might settle a queasy stomach.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties, so you will be glad you added some ginger if your throat is feeling sore. (Source)
Cinnamon
Cinnamon doesn’t just taste great when dusted over pancakes with a little sugar—much like ginger, it is prized for its medicinal value.
Tip: Cinnamon in powder form will not dissolve in water, so it’s best to use a cinnamon stick when brewing your tea.
The flavor can be overpowering, so you may only want to leave the stick in for a short time.
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and goes surprisingly well with citrus flavors when used sparingly.
Cinnamon’s taste may clash with some flavors, so it may best be used as a substitute—especially in the case of mint.
Some studies link eating cinnamon regularly to increased insulin sensitivity, which may be of great interest to those who have diabetes.
It doesn’t stop there
If you want a warm drink to perk you up, consider one of the many healthy alternatives.
You can also try to make a cold version of the medicine ball to sip on in the summer.
You can substitute the Teavana teas for flavors available at your local supermarket to create your own healthy blend.
There are a variety of chai spice blends, rooibos teas, and other flavors you can add.
Perhaps you are not a lemonade fan or can’t stand the taste of mint.
The Starbucks medicine ball isn’t your only option when making a delicious and healthy drink – despite the name, you don’t need to be sick to enjoy it!
Conclusion
Maybe you knew Starbucks added the medicine ball to the menu, but weren’t sure of the official name.
At least you can now order with confidence the next time you pick up a hot tea and even tell your barista a few things they didn’t know about the menu.
If you’re feeling under the weather, you could order in or try to make your own medicine ball at home if you’re up to it.
If you’re the experimenting type, your creation may be the next customer favorite that gets added to the menu.
Have you tried the Starbucks Medicine Ball? Did it help with your cold? Let me know in the comments below!
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