Make your own Medicine Ball recipe at home with this easy Starbucks copycat! This warm honey mint citrus tea—also called the Cold Buster—is made with Jade Citrus Mint, Peach Tranquility, lemonade, and honey. It’s great for soothing sore throats, and the best part? It’s ready in just 5 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Medicine Ball Starbucks Recipe
During cold and flu season, this drink is on repeat in our house. It’s soothing, a little sweet, and just feels good to sip when you’re not feeling your best.
My boys used to ask me to make it whenever they were sick, and now that they’re out on their own, it’s one of the first things they make for themselves when a cold hits. That’s how simple and comforting it is.
I used to make this with Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility teas, just like Starbucks originally did—both were Teavana blends that have since been discontinued. Starbucks has also updated their recipe and now uses a single green tea bag infused with apple, green tea, rose hips, lemon verbena, spearmint, chamomile, licorice, and lemongrass. I’ve updated this post to reflect those changes and give you options for making it both ways at home. It’s still the best tea for a sore throat, and I’ve included some easy tea blends that taste similar.
It’s been said this drink started as a Starbucks secret menu item—only baristas really knew about it—but word spread, and it’s now on their official menu as Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Now you can skip the drive-thru and make it anytime at home.
Benefits of Medicine Ball Tea (Starbucks)
This tea is so good and it actually helps when you’re fighting off a cold or sore throat. Here’s why we keep it on hand all winter:
- Soothes a sore throat: The warm tea, lemon and honey combo is calming and coats your throat to ease the irritation.
- Steam opens sinuses: Breathing in the steam while you sip really does clear congestion and the warm soothes the throat.
- Herbal support: Mint and peach teas have calming herbs like chamomile and mint which may help reduce inflammation, digestions and encourage relaxation.
- Hydrating and vitamin rich: The lemonade has vitamin C and warm fluids help you stay hydrated – key when you’re sick.
It’s no magic cure but it’s a simple comforting drink that makes you feel a little more human when you’re under the weather. That’s why we make it over and over again.
What is a Medicine Ball Drink?
The Medicine Ball tea recipe comes from Starbucks and actually started on their secret menu. But the word got out, and now you can order it by its official name: Honey Citrus Mint Tea—though many people still call it a Cold Buster Tea. It was originally made with Teavana’s Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility teas—both now discontinued. These days, Starbucks uses a single green-tea and chamomile blend instead, along with steamed lemonade and a couple pumps of honey syrup.
Some add a pump of peppermint syrup for extra flavor, but I skip it—no need for the extra sugar. And just to be clear (because a lot of people assume otherwise!), there’s no actual medicine in this drink. It’s simply tea, lemonade, and honey. That said, a warm mug of tea can absolutely help you feel better when you’re under the weather.
Medicine Ball Recipe Ingredients
Starbucks has since updated its original recipe, which used Teavana Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility teas. Now, they use a single green tea bag infused with apple, green tea, rose hips, lemon verbena, spearmint, chamomile, licorice, and lemongrass. I’ve updated this post as of June 16, 2025, to reflect these changes and provide options for making it both ways.
- Lemonade | Hot lemonade is the “secret” ingredient in this recipe. Use your favorite lemonade. I love Simply Lite Lemonade. *See my notes in variations for how to make the tea recipe without lemonade using fresh lemons.
- Filtered Water | Heat the water for your tea in a tea kettle, in the microwave, or on the stovetop. Filtered water is best, as it is more pure.
- Peach Tea | Starbucks used Teavana Peach Tranquility, but it is no longer available. Any peach tea may be used; I like Celestial Seasonings Peach Tea. Using the two I recommend will give you caffeine-free tea.
- Mint Tea | Starbucks no longer uses Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea which contained green tea, hints of spearmint, lemon verbena, lemongrass, and natural flavor. You may use any Mint tea, I like this Triple Mint (with Lemon balm) from Traditional Medicinals or this organic Moroccan Mint (with green tea). These teas are available at your local grocery store.
- Honey | If you can, get your hands on local honey; it packs a better punch to your immune system. Go with raw, unfiltered honey; you can use a packet of honey for travel or honey straight from the bear.
- Optional | Add a couple lemon slices to the hot water, along with some fresh mint leaves.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Recommended Equipment
- Frother | Zulay has a great handheld frother you can put right into your mug, but it doesn’t heat it, adds air, so use after you’ve heated everything. I use my Nespresso frother.
- Electric Hot Tea Water Kettle | If you are a regular tea drinker, you will love having a tea kettle like this one from Amazon Basics.
How to Make Starbucks Sick Tea
Pull out your kettle and favorite teacup and sip this delightful Starbucks Copycat Medicine Ball Tea in just a few minutes.
Step 1 – Steamed
You can use regular or light lemonade. I like Simply Lite Lemonade, made with Stevia, reducing added sugars. Or for less sugar; make homemade lemonade with 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, a cup of boiling water and a little extra honey.
Heat the lemonade in a frother or in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot and simmering.
Step 2 | Brew the Best Starbucks Tea for Sore Throat
While the lemonade is heating, pour 8 ounces of just-simmered hot water. You can simmer on the stove or in a glass measuring cup in the microwave. Add tea bags and steep tea for 5 minutes (if using green tea, watch the amount of time, as it will get bitter quickly).
When time is up, promptly remove tea bags and squeeze to get all the good stuff out.
Fresh Tip: To help steep the tea and keep the heat in, place a small plate or saucer over the cup.
Step 3 | Combine the Flavors
Stir in honey to taste. Pour in the hot lemonade and gently stir to combine.
Many recipes call for steeping the tea in the hot lemonade and hot water, but my testing showed that it cooled down too quickly doing it that way, so I steep my tea first, then add the hot lemonade for a steaming Medicine ball tea recipe!
Top your teacup with a thin slice of fresh lemon and a gorgeous sprig of fresh mint.
Wrap your hands around the warm mug and sip immediately!
Even if you feel just fine, this honey citrus mint tea is a treat anytime you want a hot drink. With just five simple ingredients, this recipe is easy to make and convenient with ingredients found in your local grocery store. My hunch is you’ll find this is the best tea for a sore throat – all from the comfort of your own home!
Medicine Ball Tea Starbucks Tips
- Green tea becomes bitter if brewed too long, so watch the time on the green tea, especially.
- Aromatic Steam | Serve this minty lemonade tea very hot. The steam and the tea are excellent for loosening chest congestion and a stuffy nose. And they are also great for cough suppression.
- Bedtime Good | Often at night, I will add a shot of whiskey or brandy to this for a relaxing, all-natural Nyquil — if you will.
- Medicine Ball Drink Perfection | If you’re dealing with the sniffles and want a little extra kick, try adding a couple of drops of peppermint extract for a stronger mint flavor.
Medicine Ball Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Sugar-free – If no sugar is desired, omit the lemonade and instead use ½ – 1 juiced lemon with two tablespoons of honey or maple syrup. Or use a stevia-based sugar-free lemonade.
- Since honey is known for its soothing and healing properties, it’s best. However, a sugar substitute is okay, too, try using all-natural Stevia or Monk Fruit – but honey is one of the main ingredients in this tea concoction to soothe the throat, for vegans use pure maple syrup.
- Minty Flavor – Add a sprig or two of fresh mint while heating the water or lemonade, or add a few drops of peppermint extract.
- Teavana Tea Bags – This brand is the one used in the medicine ball recipe from the Starbucks menu. However, there are plenty of herbal peach tea and minty good different teas out there to choose from.
- Alternative Teas | If you can’t find Teavana, try Tazo Zen tea (also a mint green tea). If you’re avoiding caffeine altogether, consider Tazo RefreshMint or any other mint tea. Try this Tazo Peachy Green tea or this Celestial Seasonings Peach tea.
Medicine Ball Tea Recipe FAQs
The peach tea has no caffeine, but the jade citrus mint tea has 20 mg of caffeine from the green tea. If you are concerned, try other mint herbal teas instead.
Is Jade Citrus Mint Tea good for you?
Yes! It contains green tea, which is known for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it great for supporting your immune system. Honey helps coat the throat, soothe a cough, and has natural antimicrobial properties. A friend of mine, who is a vocalist, swears by tea with lemon and honey before every concert.
And let’s not forget the mint—it can help loosen congestion and even support digestion, making it a great addition when you’re feeling under the weather.
A 16-ounce Starbucks Medicine Ball has 130 calories and 33g of carbs, 30g of which are sugars. At home, I use Simply Lite Lemonade (sweetened with Stevia), which brings it down to 89 calories and 24g of carbs—22g from sugar.
It’s easy! Brew one bag each of Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility tea (or similar herbal teas), then mix with equal parts hot water and steamed lemonade. Stir in a spoonful of honey, and that’s it—your own soothing Medicine Ball tea, ready in minutes!
More Soothing Tea Recipes for You
- Turmeric and Ginger Tea | Soothing, relaxing, flavorful, made with dairy-based or plant-based milks, you’ll be so glad you tried it!
- Homemade Chai Tea Latte | A long-time favorite and popular recipe on the blog!
- Golden Milk Turmeric Tea Spice Mix | This is excellent for when you’re run-down, feeling anxious or stressed, and need a good immune boost. It’s also great to give as a gift.
- Bulletproof Coffee | Okay, so it’s not a tea, but it will warm you from the inside out and is so good!
If you love this recipe, you will adore my Starbucks Peach Green Tea Lemonade and this Starbucks White Hot Chocolate.
So the next time cold symptoms hit, make yourself some of this “sick tea” and feel better, quicker.
More Copycat Recipes
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces water boiled
- 8 ounces light lemonade see notes for how to make with lemon, I like Simply Lite
- 1 bag Peach Tranquility Tea Teavana (see notes for other teas)
- 1 bag Jade Citrus Mint Tea Teavana (see notes for other teas)
- 1-2 tablespoons honey use local honey, raw and unfiltered is best
Optional Garnish
- 1-2 drops peppermint oil
- 1-2 sprigs mint fresh
- 1 slice lemon
Instructions
- Heat lemonade in a frother or on the stovetop until hot and just simmering.
- Meanwhile, brew tea as follows. To one 16 ounce mug add 8 ounces of just simmered hot water, then add 1 peach tranquility tea bag, setting timer for 3 minutes.
- Then add your tea bag of Citrus mint tea. This is a green tea which becomes bitter if brewed too long, so watch the time on this one especially. Brew for 2 minutes, 3 minutes tops.
- Remove tea bags, squeeze to get all the good stuff out, stir in honey to taste and hot lemonade. Top with a slice of lemon and if desired a sprig of mint.
Notes
Variations & Substitutions
- Sugar-free – If no sugar is desired, omit the lemonade and instead use ½ – 1 juiced lemon with two tablespoons of honey or maple syrup. To taste.
- Since honey is known for its soothing and healing properties, it’s best. However; a sugar substitute is okay, too, try using all-natural Stevia or Monk Fruit – but honey is one of the main ingredients in this tea concoction to soothe the throat.
- Minty Flavor – Add a sprig or two of fresh mint while heating the water or lemonade, or add a few drops of peppermint extract.
- Teavana Tea Bags – This brand is the one used in the medicine ball recipe from the Starbucks menu. However, there are plenty of herbal peach tea and minty good different teas out there to choose from.
- Alternative Teas | If you can’t find Teavana, try this Tazo Zen tea (also a mint green tea), or if you are avoiding caffeine altogether, try this Tazo RefreshMint or any mint tea. To replace the peach tea, try this Tazo Peachy Green tea or this Celestial Seasonings Peach tea.
- Bedtime Good | Often at night, I will add a shot of whiskey or brandy to this for a relaxing, all-natural Nyquil — if you will.
Nutrition
Joyce
My beautiful daughter made me this lovely tea this past Sunday when we were together. Sooo good! Thank you for sharing this recipe ????
Many Blessings to you!
Joyce????
Love hearing that, Joyce! I am partial to your name as that is also my mom’s name, so your kind comment means even more to me!! Thank you!!
Tara
Thank you so much for sharing this copycat recipe! I never want to leave the house when I’m feeling under the weather but I absolutely CRAVE this Starbucks drink. Having the option to save time and money?! This is a winner!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Jess
I’ve got a couple sick kiddos at home…this is perfect for them. Thanks for saving me a trip to Starbucks (and some money!).
My kids love it too, so perfect! Thanks for your kind words!
Charla
My immune system is awful right now so looking forward to trying this tea. Thanks
I think it will help! Glad you found it too!
Louise
So soothing and uplifting. The perfect tea treat.
Thank you Louise!
Holley
I love how I can make this in my own home! I will save a lot of time and money from not having to go to Starbucks! Great recipe!
Thanks so much Holley!
Beth
I’m always excited to see a copycat Starbucks recipe! I LOVE their drinks, but they are crazy expensive.
That is truth spoken right there! So glad you will enjoy it!
Ava M.
Oh this is really interesting, specially now that the cold season is starting here. I don’t have many of the ingredients listed but I can definitely shop them. Thanks!
And they are easy to find!
Sharon
I will be keeping the ingredients for this tea on hand all winter long to keep the sniffles at bay.
I just used it that way this weekend! So nice to just keep around!
Michelle
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Qashang
This tea was just what I needed. It was so refreshing and soothing. Thanks for the recipe!
You are most welcome!