Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe (2024)

This post may contain paid links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

My copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe is perfect for when you feel a little under the weather, or just want a comforting, warm drink after a long day! This comforting tea recipe is sometimes called a cold buster – it’s beyond soothing and filled with herbal and citrusy flavors you will love! Ready in under 15 minutes.

Medicine Ball Starbucks Recipe

When cold and flu season hits, I like to keep my family’s favorite teas on hand for when one of us sniffles or notices a sore throat – one of those is the best hot tea at Starbucks. My copycat Starbucks medicine ball drink is a perfectly balanced beverage with all the comforting properties of honey, fresh mint, and herbal tea!

Of course, this recipe is so tasty we like to drink it all year round. It’s the perfect way to jazz up a morning tea routine without leaving the kitchen or to end a long day with a warm, cozy drink. Plus, it’s completely caffeine-free – so you can enjoy it anytime!

What is Starbucks Medicine Ball?

A Starbucks Medicine Ball, also known as the “Cold Buster”, “Honey Citrus Mint Tea”, or simply “Medicine Ball Tea” is a popular hot beverage served at Starbucks. It gained popularity for its potential soothing and immune-boosting properties, especially with sore throat. The drink consists of hot water, lemon, a blend of two types of teas, and honey.

What’s in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?

• 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. Do not use bottled lemon juice.
• 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.
• 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 ().
• 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.
• 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.

Starbucks Medicine Ball 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; you want to be sure to get the maximum flavor (and nutritional benefits).
• Because you want the best nutritional properties from the ingredients, the fresher they are, the better.
• 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.

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 together. If you are making this 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!
• Give it a chill: My medicine ball tea is fantastic hot, but don’t forget you can drink this iced as well. Allow the medicine ball to come to room temperature, and 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.
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 Menu Recipes

• Starbucks Egg Bites Recipe (Keto Egg Bites)
• Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
• Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf

When I have a cold, I always make my favorite chicken soup!

📋 Recipe