When winter chills nip at your nose and your busy life leaves you craving comfort, Starbucks came up with a perfect remedy, the Medicine Ball. Also known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, this drink has rapidly become a cult favorite, blending the warmth of herbal tea with a zesty brightness of citrus and the sweet touch of honey.
Whether you’re fighting off a cold or seeking a stress reliever, wrap your hands around the steaming Medicine Ball tea cup, inhale the aroma of mint mingling with lemon, and feel the tension melt away with each sip. That is why this drink earned a special place on the Starbucks menu.
In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of the Starbucks Medicine Ball drink, exploring its ingredients, recipe, and how to order this magical drink.
What is a Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
Medicine Ball, also known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, is a sweet and citrusy drink at Starbucks. It is made by filling a cup with half hot water and half steamed lemonade, a bag of Peach Tranquility Herbal tea, and Jade Citrus Mint tea.
Honey is added to the drink to give it a sweet touch. The Medicine Ball recipe was first originated in 2016 on social media, where people described Starbucks as a miracle cold cure.
Initially, the drink was introduced as an off-menu customer creation circa. It gained momentum after fans started sharing its photos on Instagram. A manager of one Starbucks location reported that they were making 20 or more cups a day.
After its success, the company’s then-president and COO, Kevin Johnson, quickly added the drink to the menu under the name Honey Citrus Mint Tea. It has been eight years since it was first introduced, the Medicine Ball tea is still popular, and Instagram users are continuously posting pictures.
How to Order a Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
You can’t order the drink with its popular name, Medicine Ball, at Starbucks. Instead, you can order it using its real name, Honey Citrus Mint Tea. However, there is a possibility that if you order a Medicine Ball, your Starbucks location will definitely recognize what you’re talking about.
Deshaun Green, a shift supervisor at a Starbucks in Tuckahoe, New York, said if you’re standing at the counter and can’t remember the drink’s original name, you can simply say Medicine Ball because that’s how it started.
He continued whatever you call this drink, Starbucks’ staff will confidently bring it for you. Like many other Starbucks drinks, you can also customize this tea. You can add some extra honey or swap out of the teas or add mint-infused simple syrup.
How To Order Medicine Ball on Starbucks App?
You can find this drink, along with all other hot teas, on the Starbucks app. Follow the steps below to order it;
- Open the official Starbucks app and click on the three-line icon at the top right corner of your screen.
- Go to the menu section
- Scroll down and click on Hot Teas.
- A page with all the Starbucks hot teas will appear on your screen. Here, you need to scroll down and look for Honey Citrus Mint Tea. You will find this drink under the Green Teas section. You can’t find this drink with its popular name, Medicine Ball.
- Click on Honey Citrus Mint Tea and choose the size of your drink. You will have options like short (8 fl oz), tall (12 fl oz), grande (16 fl oz) and venti (20 fl oz).
- You can also click on the customize button to adjust the amount of lemonade and honey or to add some extra tea bags to your drink.
- After completing all the customizations, click the Add to Order button and complete your order from the order bag.
What is in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?
Below is the complete list of Starbucks Medicine Ball ingredients;
- Hot water
- Steamed lemonade
- Peach Tranquillity
- Jade Citrus Mint Tea
- Honey
Jade Citrus Mint tea contains green tea with lemon verbena, lemongrass, and spearmint. It has approximately 20 g of caffeine per 8 ounces. On the other hand, Peach Tranquility is a caffeine-free tea made with lemon verbena, candied pineapple, peach, and rose hips.
These both tea bags give a citrusy taste to the drink. Then, it is sweetened with honey.
Nutritional Value of Medicine Ball;
- Calories:- 130
- Protein:- 0 g
- Carbs:- 32 g
- Fat:- 0 g
- Sugar:- 30 g
Medicine Ball Recipe
Check out the Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea recipe below;
- Pour 180 ml each of water and lemonade into a small saucepan and keep it on high or medium-high flame.
- Heat it until the mixture start simmering
- Take the saucepan off the stove and place it on a cool surface.
- Now, you have to add the tea bags of Jade Citrus Mint tea and Peach Tranquility to the mixture and cover the pan with the lid.
- Mix one tablespoon of honey in the mixture to add some sweet taste to the drink.
- Garnish the drink with a thin slice of lemon and serve it hot.
You can also add a few drops of peppermint to give the medicine ball drink an extra burst of minty flavor.
Is Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink Healthy?
The hotness, and the word medicine in drink’s name doesn’t mean it’s going to cure your cold. But the mixture of lemonade and honey in hot water does help to relieve some common symptoms.
It is like chicken soup and other sticky-day staples that will give you warmth and a soothing experience.
The warmth of tea and lemonade can soothe your stuffy sinuses. One of the tea bags in the drink, Jade Citrus Mint tea, has some anti-inflammatory properties that are not enough to cure your cold completely but enough to reduce the discomfort.
Lemonade contains vitamin C, which keeps your immune system healthy and shortens the duration of your illness. Honey is not just added to boost the sweetness; it can also cure your irritated throat and calm your coughs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is in the Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
This soothing hot Medicine Ball tea is made with hot water, steamed lemonade, honey, tea bags of Jade Citrus Mint Tea, and Peach Tranquility.
2. How Do You Order a Medicine Ball Tea at Starbucks?
You can’t order the drink with the name Medicine Ball. So, it is best to order using its real name, Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
3. What Does the Starbucks Medicine Ball Help With?
If you’re feeling stuffy from a cold, you will definitely need this drink to comfort you. However, it will not completely cure your cold. But it will give you a warm and soothing experience.
4. Does Medicine Ball Have Caffeine?
Yes, the drink contains a small amount of caffeine due to the Jade Citrus Mint Tea.
5. What is a Medicine Ball Called at Starbucks?
The real name of Medicine Ball at Starbucks is Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
6. What Does a Starbucks Medicine Ball Taste Like?
It tastes like a warm, sweet citrus and mint tea drink.
7. What is the Price of a Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea costs around $3.15.
8. Can You Just Ask for a Medicine Ball at Starbucks?
Yes, you can get this drink just for a Medicine Ball, as it became famous with this name only. But if there is any chance that the staff doesn’t understand, you can call it Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
