Better Than Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea Recipe
This Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea recipe is a soothing and delicious drink perfect for cold days and flu season. With just a few simple ingredients, including green tea, honey, and fresh lemon juice, you can make this comforting drink right at home for a fraction of the price.
This homemade version is easy to prepare and tastes just like the Starbucks secret menu item. To make it a bit healthier, I swapped out the lemonade for fresh lemon juice and a bit of extra honey to keep things naturally sweet and soothing. It’s a light, sweet blend with a hint of peach and mint that helps with sore throat and cold symptoms. Perfect for a chilly day or whenever you need a warm pick-me-up!
Why you will love brewing this tea
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday items you probably already have at home.
- Quick to Make: Ready in about 10 minutes!
- Healthier Option: We use lemon juice and extra honey instead of lemonade to make it even better for sore throats.
- Versatile: Perfect for soothing symptoms during flu season or as a cozy comfort on any cold day.
- Budget-Friendly: Much cheaper than a Starbucks trip!
Key ingredients and substitutions
A note on teas: Starbucks uses Teavana Teas so if you’re going for a proper Starbucks copycat recipe, those are the ones to try. However, they can be a little tricky to find so I’ve listed a few of my other favorite teas below that work well for this recipe. I think the other teas are just as good (if not better)!
- Citrus Mint Tea Bag: Brings a refreshing minty zest. Brands to try are Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea, Tazo Organic Zen Tea, or Ahmad Lemon Mint Green Cold Brew Tea (it can be made into a hot tea too!). If you can’t find citrus mint, use a plain mint or green mint tea bag and a dash of orange or lemon zest.
- Peach Flavor Tea Bag: Adds a sweet, fruity layer. Brands to try are Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea, Yogi Peach Detox Tea, Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion, or Twinnings Soulful Blends Reset Peach and Orange Blossom Tea. No peach tea? Try any fruity herbal tea you like for a similar vibe.
- Lemon Juice: Gives that sharp, citrus kick. Juice from fresh lemons is best, but bottled works in a pinch!
- Honey: Sweetens naturally and soothes the throat. Manuka honey is a great upgrade for extra antibacterial properties, or you can use maple syrup if you prefer.
How to make this copycat Starbucks medicine ball recipe
- Heat the Water: Start by heating your water to 80°C. No thermometer? Just stop before it reaches a full boil. The lower temperature is important as boiling the citrus mint tea will make it bitter.
- Steep the Tea: Add both the citrus mint and peach tea bags to a large mug and pour the hot water over them. Let them steep for about 5 minutes.
- Add Lemon Juice: Once the homemade tea has infused, remove the tea bags and stir in the fresh lemon juice for that citrusy zing.
- Sweeten with Honey: Drizzle in the honey to taste. Feeling extra under the weather? Add a bit more honey for its soothing properties.
- Stir and Enjoy: Give your tea a good stir to mix everything nicely. Sip slowly and let the comforting flavors of this cold-buster tea do their magic.
Recipe notes and tips
- Steeping Time Matters: Don’t let the tea bags sit too long in the water; it can make the tea bitter. Five minutes is just right.
- Adjust Sweetness: Tailor the honey to your taste. If you like it sweeter, feel free to add more.
- Water Temperature: Using water that’s too hot can scorch the tea leaves, affecting the flavor. Aim for just below boiling.
- Serve Hot: This drink is best served hot to help soothe the throat and clear the sinuses.
Variations
- Spice It Up: Add a cinnamon stick or a few cloves during the steeping process for a spicy twist.
- Extra Citrus Boost: Throw in extra slices of lemon, lime, or orange for more vitamin C and a bolder citrus flavor.
- Herbal Touch: Include a sprig of fresh mint or lemon verbena for a more herbal note.
- Decaf Version: Use decaffeinated tea bags if caffeine is a concern, especially for evening enjoyment.
Storage instructions
- Refrigerate: Cool the homemade medicine ball tea and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 2 days and can be enjoyed cold too.
- Reheat Gently: Warm it slowly on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! Brew it, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat gently when you’re ready to sip.
Yes, it’s kid-friendly as long as they’re okay with the flavors. For a less sweet version, you can reduce the honey. Maybe opt for a peppermint tea bag instead of a green citrus mint tea to avoid caffeine.
Feel free to experiment with different tea blends. The key is to balance the mint and fruity flavors.
More feel-good tea recipes you will love
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Medicine Ball Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 oz water 450ml
- 1 citrus mint tea bag See notes for brands
- 1 peach tea bag See notes for brands
- 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice to taste
- 1.5 tablespoons honey to taste
Instructions
- Begin by heating the water to 80°C. If you don't have a thermometer, just turn the kettle off/remove it from the heat right as it starts to simmer.15 oz water
- Steep the two tea bags in the water in a mug for 5 minutes.1 citrus mint tea bag, 1 peach tea bag
- Remove the tea bags and add the lemon juice.1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
- Sweeten with honey, sip, and feel better!1.5 tablespoons honey
Notes
- Citrus Mint Tea Bag: Brands to try are Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea, Tazo Organic Zen Tea, or Ahmad Lemon Mint Green Cold Brew Tea (it can be made into a hot tea too!). If you can’t find citrus mint, use a plain mint or green mint tea bag and a dash of orange or lemon zest.
- Peach Flavor Tea Bag: Brands to try are Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea, Yogi Peach Detox Tea, Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion, or Twinnings Soulful Blends Reset Peach and Orange Blossom Tea. No peach tea? Try any fruity herbal tea you like for a similar vibe.
- Steeping Time Matters: Don’t let the tea bags sit too long in the water; it can make the tea bitter. Five minutes is just right.
- Adjust Sweetness: Tailor the honey to your taste. If you like it sweeter, feel free to add more.
- Water Temperature: Using water that’s too hot can scorch the tea leaves, affecting the flavor. Aim for just below boiling.
- Serve Hot: This drink is best served hot to help soothe the throat and clear the sinuses.
Storage instructions
- Refrigerate: Cool the homemade medicine ball tea and store it in a sealed container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 2 days and can be enjoyed cold too.
- Reheat Gently: Warm it slowly on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.