Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea (2024)

My recipe for copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea is simple to make with just a few ingredients. You might also know this drink as the “Cold Buster” but it’s officially called honey citrus mint tea on the menu. A delicious, soothing hot tea drink that is sure to warm you up.

No need to leave the house, it’s easy to make this copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball tea in the comfort of your own home. This hot tea drink used to not be a regular Starbucks menu item, it was actually a secret menu item that became popular during cold and flu season.

I admit, there was a time I frequented Starbucks so much that they knew my name and my order. That’s when I decided it was time to start making my own drinks at home to save time and money. That’s how this recipe for the copycat medicine ball tea was born.

When it’s cold outside, or I’m just not feeling great, this hot tea hits the spot. There is something about the tea, lemon, and honey that just hit the spot.

More copycat Starbucks drink recipes to try:

• Copycat Chai Tea Latte
• Puppaccino
• Caramel Frappuccino

Copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball Ingredients

• Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea – This is a delicious green tea that has a hint of spearmint and lemon. Teavana teas can typically be found at your local grocery store.
• Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea – This tea has peach and pineapple flavor. Can be substituted with other peach tea’s like Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion or Bigelow brand peach tea.
• Lemonade – Use your favorite lemonade. You can even use sugar-free lemonade.
• Water – Needed to help brew the tea.
• Honey – Adds a smooth and soothing sweetness. I recommend using local honey if possible.
• Optional – Some people order their medicine ball with an optional pump of peppermint syrup. You can add a drop of peppermint extract or peppermint syrup to this recipe if you like a boost of peppermint flavor.

How to make copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball tea

Step one: Stir together lemonade and water either in a mug or in a small saucepan. Heat until steaming hot, not boiling, 2-3 minutes on stovetop or 2 minutes in the microwave.

Step two: Place one jade citrus mint tea bag and one peach tea bag in the hot lemonade mixture. Steep for 3 minutes.

Step three: Remove tea bags, stir in honey. Optional, add peppermint extract. Serve warm.

Heather’s recipe tips and tricks

• You don’t need to bring the water and lemonade to a boil. Starbucks uses steamed lemonade so heating for 2-3 minutes should get you to the steaming point.
• If you would like your tea a little stronger, let steep for 5 minutes.
• For a little extra vitamin C, add fresh lemon slices to the tea.
• If you would like to add a little peppermint, be sure to only use a drop. Peppermint is strong in flavor and you don’t want it to overpower the tea.

Does Starbucks Medicine Ball have caffeine?

The herbal peach tea is caffeine-free but the jade citrus mint tea has a little caffeine, about 20 mg.

How to order a Starbucks Medicine Ball tea

If you are out of the house and want to try this drink from Starbucks, be sure to ask for the Honey Citrus Mint Tea which is the official name on the menu.

More delicious drink recipes

• RumChata Coffee
• Strawberry Milk
• Homemade Hot Chocolate
• Mocha Frappuccino
• Vanilla Bean Frappuccino

Did you make this copycat recipe? Let me know in the comments.