Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe
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Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball shows how to make this popular cold fighter super tea. A great soothing tea for cold and flu season.
‘Tis the season for colds and flu. Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea is a warm concoction made with lemonade, citrus mint, and peach teas with honey. Skip the prices at Starbucks, give the Starbucks baristas a break, and make this medicinal tea at home.
The Starbucks Medicine Ball used to be a Starbucks secret menu item, but the word got out about how great it is, and they moved it to their regular menu. Just in time, I guess?
This winter has been epic for colds and flu! Our state of Nebraska has been on the news as the highest-ranking for flu diagnosis. Not really a record to set, am I right? I tell you, it makes me happy I work from home!
STARBUCKS MEDICINE BALL TEA
My oldest daughter was the first to tell me about this drink. She is a hairstylist, and she is around the public constantly. Her tendency for catching a cold and to have a scratchy throat is pretty common. Once she discovered the Medicine Ball on the Starbucks menu, she was hooked!
She told my younger daughter about it, as she is in all of the school musicals and show choir and is constantly drinking hot tea with fresh lemons to soothe her throat.
I can just picture needing to know some sort of special hand signal or using a code word to order one. That seemed like some sort of secret mission and special training was involved, so I just decided to decode it. I give you, the copy cat Starbucks Medicine Ball tea recipe.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA & HONEY
The health benefits of tea and lemons are not so secret either. Tea has tons of antioxidants that help soothe even the worst colds. Lemons deliver the blast of vitamin C to boost the immune system. Mint works great for congestion and helps as an expectorant and decongestant. Honey has been used since ancient times to soothe sore throats and coughing.
In fact, the Medicine Ball drink is beginning to sound like the wisdom of the ancients just repackaged into a viral trending hashtag-worthy beverage.
STARBUCKS MEDICINE BALL TEA INGREDIENTS
The Medicine Ball is made with simple ingredients that are a cinch to keep on hand, most are pantry staples like Teavana Teas, and honey.
Here are the main ingredients for this Starbucks copycat recipe:
- Teavana jade citrus mint tea bag – one of the key ingredients is jade citrus mint green tea
- Teavana peach tranquility tea bag – two types of tea are needed, the other is peach tranquility herbal tea
- Hot water
- Lemonade – Starbucks steams their lemonade, but all you need to do is heat it. Store-bought lemonade is fine, I like the Light Simply Lemonade.
- Honey – a little honey gives this delicious drink a little bit of natural sweetness
- Peppermint Extract – optional, but I love the extra flavor it gives
How to Make A Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea Without Teavana Tea
Many, including me, are having a hard time finding Teavana tea right now. I have not been able to get any feedback from Starbucks with my phone calls and questions, so I took matters into my own hands and came up with a substitute. You will find the recipe in the notes section of my printable recipe card.
WHAT MAKES THE MEDICINE BALL UNIQUE?
To completely decode the Medicine Ball from Starbucks means figuring out how to make steamed lemonade. Sounds pretty fancy right?
Actually, steamed lemonade is simply lemonade that has been heated up. So feel free to use a good quality pre-made lemonade. Heat it up as you would water for the tea. Put the tea bags into the hot lemonade.
You are pretty close to figuring out the secret. Add some honey and voila! You just created a copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball at a fraction of the price.
HOW TO MAKE A STARBUCKS MEDICINE BALL AT HOME
Begin by combining water and lemonade and heating it, either on the stovetop or in the microwave, until it’s hot.
Next, steep the tea bags in the hot lemonade tea mixture for 2-3 minutes. Remove tea bags.
Finally, pour into a mug, and add in honey and peppermint extract. Stir to combine. Enjoy warm.
VARIATIONS ON THE COPYCAT STARBUCKS MEDICINE BALL
You can ask for an optional pump of peppermint syrup as well. I think that sounds great, but maybe you don’t want the added sugar. That is why I added peppermint extract as an optional ingredient to this recipe to give it that mint flavor without the sugar. Fresh mint leaves would also be nice in this hot drink.
DO YOU HAVE OTHER RECIPES FOR COLD AND FLU SEASON?
Chances are you want a medicine ball tea because the flu has come to town like an unwanted house guest. You know the type. Shows up at the worst time and stays too long.
Well, here are a few classic recipes known to help fight flu and colds:
- Chicken Noodle Soup with Sauerkraut
- Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy
- Kapusniak (Polish Chicken Noodle Soup)
- Easy Fruit Salad
- Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Miracle Slushie Sore Throat Remedy
- Cinnamon Sore Throat Tea
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You don’t want to go wondering where you saw this recipe the next time you need it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you go!
See ALL of my Restaurant Copy Cat Recipes
So now you don’t have to go risk giving everyone else your cold by running out for a Medicine Ball at Starbucks. And wouldn’t you rather just stay home in bed getting better anyway? 
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
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Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup lemonade I used Simply Light
- 1 bag Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea
- 1 bag Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract optional
Instructions
- Combine water and lemonade and heat until hot, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Steep tea bags in the hot lemonade tea mixture for 2-3 minutes. Remove tea bags.
- Pour into a mug, add in honey and peppermint extract. Stir to combine.
- Enjoy warm.
Notes
- I used Simply Light Lemonade, it has fewer calories, and I like the pulp it has, too.
- Add more or less honey to taste. I felt the lemonade already made it sweet.
- I like the addition of the peppermint extract. It works to decongest. Leave it out if you don't like that extra bit of mint.
- Makes one 12-ounce serving.
- TO MAKE WITHOUT TEAVANA TEA: Follow the same instructions but in place of the Teavana Tea in the recipe use one of each of these teabags; Bigalow Mint Medley, Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion, and Celestial Seasonings Vitamin C Shine. I still add the peppermint extract to mine, but it's optional.
Love this recipe! This medicine ball was perfect and just like Starbuck’s. I’ll definitely be making again and again!
You know, I don’t think that I’ve ever heard of the Starbucks Medicine Ball! But this looks and sounds really tasty and super soothing.
This is my new favorite drink in the morning! I feel so refreshed and alive after drinking it!
I love a good cold and flu remedy, and this tea looks delicious! I could drink it as a comforting tea every day. I may use fresh lemon juice and just sweeten with more honey, as we usually have a good stash of lemons in the fridge. Thanks!
Oh what a great recipe to try during this flu season! Trying it out this weekend!
This recipe is amazing and was exactly what I needed today (I’m trying to get over a cold!!) Warming, delicious, and the peppermint really did help with my congestion!
WOW! Your recipe is so useful and helpful during the flu season. Sharing the recipe with my family:) Thanks!
I had no idea that Starbucks have a drink by that name. This is a very good recipe. Thanks for sharing.
The sickness has been going around everywhere lately! This is something everyone needs!
Hi!! Just made this medicine ball.. yum! I’ve never heard of it.. will definitely keep all this on hand for when were not feeling good:)
I am so happy that you liked it! I was the same way – until my daughter told me about it, I never knew!
Thank you Michaela! Your copycat recipe is perfect!!! You are so kind to share this! 🙂 Be well!
Felicia – I am so happy you are enjoying it! Stay well!
Best recipe I’ve found to copy Starbucks version!
Was skeptical of the peppermint extract and, if you want it to truly be like Starbucks’ Medicine Ball drink, I’d definitely omit it as it is a bit overpowering. Not bad, but it makes it a different beverage.
I also chose to increase to 8oz (vs. 6oz or 3/4c) of each for the lemonade and water as the tea calls for 8oz per tea bag.
Thank you for sharing!
Happy that you liked it, Madison! There is nothing wrong with making it your own! 🙂
I have learned huge knowledge from here. I am waiting for your updates
Thanks For Sharing Such beautiful information with us
So Great! Perfect directions! my whole family loves it!
Thank you for sharing!
So happy that you like it, Robyn!
I’ve tried this. I accidentally forgot to drink it one day and set it in the fridge for later. I tried it cold……and oh my goodness!! I love it chilled! I chugged it, it was that good! I make mine iced now for summer. Delicious!!
I haven’t tried it cold! Great idea!
I haven’t had made this or had the real thing yet, but I am wondering if one could just use all water and then maybe 2 tbs of lemon juice, plus the other ingredients? Using lemonade on top of honey sounds pretty sugary.
it really isn’t super sweet. I am sure you could do that if you wanted to lessen what it has though rather easily!!
Just what I needed – thank you
Mary B
I hope that doesn’t mean you’re not feeling well. But if it does, I hope this warm medicine ball drink will help you feel better quick!
I’ll have to use a sugar free lemonade to reduce the carb level. (Diabetic here). Have you or anyone you know tried it this way?
Not personally, no. But I can’t see why it wouldn’t have the same effect? I typically purchase the “light” version of the simply lemonade and it works fine.
I need to know where you found that sweater for your teacup!!!
Ha!! I actually bought it like that at Target, but it was a while ago. I have purchased them for friends on Etsy though!!
I fell in love with the “Medicine Ball” drink from Starbucks last winter when I had strep throat as it was so soothing. I am so happy I found a perfect dupe recipe for it because this drink is so comforting when you’re not feeling well! If you love the Starbucks version as much as me, I highly recommend making this one at home. Every now and again you can find the Teavana tea bags needed for this recipe at stores like Marshalls or TJ-Maxx. 100% commend a try on this dupe! (:
I am thrilled you enjoyed it as much as I do! 🙂 And great tip! I buy it at home goods whenever I see it, too!