Difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Easy)
🍲 Brief Introduction
The Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea, officially known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, is a soothing blend of citrus, mint, and honey that has become a beloved comfort drink. This warm, aromatic beverage combines the brightness of lemonade with the calming properties of mint and peach teas, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and minty flavors.
📔 Recipe History
What started as a viral social media trend quickly became one of Starbucks’ most popular tea beverages. The drink gained such immense popularity that Starbucks took the unprecedented step of adding it to their official menu in just one day, rather than the usual months-long process. Originally shared as a “secret menu” item, customers dubbed it the Medicine Ball or Cold Buster for its comforting properties during cold and flu season.
🛒 Full Ingredient List
For One Serving:
- 3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup lemonade
- 1 bag Jade Citrus Mint Tea (or any mint green tea)
- 1 bag Peach Tranquility Tea (or any peach herbal tea)
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Optional: 1-2 drops peppermint extract
- Optional: Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Optional: Lemon slice for garnish
🔍 Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 16 fl oz (1 serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 191 |
| Protein | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 41g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 37g |
| Sodium | 20mg |
| Fat | 1g |
⚕️ Allergen Information
This recipe contains:
- No common allergens
- May contain traces of citrus
🍳 Required Kitchen Equipment
- Medium saucepan or kettle
- Large mug (16 oz capacity)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spoon for stirring
- Optional: Tea strainer
⏱️ Time Breakdown
Total Time: 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Heating Time: 5 minutes
- Steeping Time: 3-5 minutes
- Assembly Time: 3 minutes
👩🏻🍳 Step-by-Step Preparation
- Combine water and lemonade in a saucepan
- Heat the mixture until it reaches about 200°F (93°C)
- Place both tea bags in your mug
- Pour the hot liquid mixture over the tea bags
- Let steep for 3-5 minutes
- Remove tea bags
- Add honey and stir until completely dissolved
- If using, add peppermint extract (start with one drop)
- Garnish with optional fresh mint leaves and lemon slice
💡 Pro Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh lemon juice instead of lemonade for a less sweet version
- Steep the tea bags separately if you want to control the strength of each flavor
- For maximum benefits, use raw, unfiltered honey
- Adjust the honey amount to taste
- Use a tea thermometer for precise water temperature
🍽️ Serving & Pairing Guide
- Serve immediately while hot
- Pair with:
- Light breakfast pastries
- Toast with honey
- Lemon cookies
- Shortbread
♻️ Recipe Variations
Sugar-Free Version:
- Replace lemonade with water and fresh lemon juice
- Use sugar-free honey alternative
Extra Minty Version:
- Add fresh mint leaves while steeping
- Include one drop of peppermint extract
📦 Storage & Reheating Guide
- Best consumed immediately while hot
- Can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours
- Reheat gently in microwave or on stovetop
- Do not store with tea bags still in liquid
❌ Common Mistakes
- Oversteeping the tea (causes bitterness)
- Using boiling water (can damage tea properties)
- Adding too much peppermint extract
- Using cold honey (doesn’t dissolve properly)
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this recipe caffeine-free?
A: Yes, replace the Jade Citrus Mint tea with caffeine-free mint tea.
Q: Can I make this in advance?
A: While best fresh, you can prepare and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Q: Can I use different types of tea?
A: Yes, though the flavor profile will change. Stick to mint and fruit-based teas for similar results.
Q: Is this recipe kid-friendly?
A: Yes, it contains no caffeine if made with herbal teas and can be adjusted for less sweetness.
Q: Can I make this iced?
A: Yes, prepare as directed and pour over ice once cooled.
Q: How long should I steep the tea?
A: 3-5 minutes is optimal; longer steeping may result in bitterness.
🎯 Fun Facts & Trivia
- The drink became so popular that Starbucks locations were making dozens per day before it became official
- It was one of the fastest drinks to move from secret menu to official menu
- The original viral social media posts claimed it had “miracle” properties
- It’s one of the few Starbucks drinks that started as a customer creation
📌 Conclusion
This comforting and soothing beverage is perfect for any time you need a warm, therapeutic drink. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or simply want a delicious hot tea, this Medicine Ball recipe delivers the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and minty flavors that made it a Starbucks sensation.