Medicine Ball Starbucks: What’s Actually in It, Does It Work, and What Else Can Help When You’re Sick

If you’ve seen someone at Starbucks ordering something called a “Medicine Ball,” you might have wondered whether it’s a real thing or some kind of inside joke. It’s real — and it has a genuinely interesting backstory.

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What Is the Starbucks Medicine Ball?

The drink started gaining traction in 2017 when people began sharing recipes on social media, and it quickly gained fame as one of Starbucks’ “Secret Menu” items. When a store manager posted in the company’s internal messaging system that his baristas were making more than 20 of the drinks a day, Starbucks began considering adding it to the permanent menu.

Today, it’s officially called the Honey Citrus Mint Tea and is on the regular Starbucks menu. Most baristas still know it by its original name, though — so either name works at the counter.

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What’s Actually in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?

The drink is made with a bag of Jade Citrus Mint Tea and a bag of Peach Tranquility Tea, steeped in a mixture of half hot water and half steamed lemonade, then sweetened with honey. Jade Citrus Mint contains green tea with lemon verbena, lemongrass, and spearmint, with approximately 20 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. Peach Tranquility is a caffeine-free herbal tea made with peach, candied pineapple, chamomile, lemon verbena, and rose hips.

The result is a warm, citrusy, mildly sweet drink that sits somewhere between tea and lemonade.

Breaking Down Each Ingredient

Jade Citrus Mint Tea A green tea base with lemongrass and spearmint. Provides a gentle caffeine kick and antioxidants from the green tea.

Peach Tranquility Tea A caffeine-free herbal blend with chamomile and rose hips. Adds the fruity, floral sweetness that balances the mint.

Steamed Lemonade Packed with vitamin C, lemonade can help shorten the length of a cold while also possibly helping enhance digestion.

Honey Honey is thick and sticky, which helps coat the lining of your throat. It acts as a protective layer that reduces irritation and makes it easier to swallow. Research also suggests it may be more effective than over-the-counter cough suppressants, especially for nighttime symptoms.

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Does the Medicine Ball Actually Work as a Cold Remedy?

This is where some honesty is needed. The Medicine Ball is not medicine. It won’t cure a cold or the flu. That said, its ingredients aren’t useless either.

Honey is soothing for sore throats and coughs. Lemon contains vitamin C and antioxidants, which can boost the immune system. Mint may be helpful in aiding digestion, soothing upset stomachs, or helping relieve cold symptoms.

One caveat worth flagging: a small Starbucks Medicine Ball contains over 30 grams of cane sugar, largely from the lemonade and the honey blend Starbucks uses. That’s worth keeping in mind if you’re watching sugar intake while sick.

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How to Order the Medicine Ball at Starbucks

The most reliable way to get this drink is to use its official name: Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Most Starbucks staffers will recognize “Medicine Ball” as well, since that’s how it started.

Customization Options

You can easily adjust the drink to your preferences:

• Extra honey — if your throat is particularly sore
• Less lemonade, more hot water — cuts sugar and makes the tea flavour more prominent
• A pump of peppermint syrup — adds a stronger minty note and can help with congestion
• Swap one tea bag — chamomile or an orange herbal tea works well as an alternative to Peach Tranquility

How to Order on the Starbucks App

Open the Starbucks app, tap on the “Order” tab, scroll to “Hot Drinks,” then “Other Hot Drinks,” and tap “Create Your Own.” From there, specify the ingredients — steamed lemonade, Peach Tranquility tea, Jade Citrus Mint tea, and honey. You can also adjust the number of honey pumps or add peppermint syrup from the customization screen.

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How to Make the Starbucks Medicine Ball at Home

Making it yourself is straightforward and considerably cheaper. The traditional Starbucks version contains lemonade as its base alongside the teas, so here’s what you need:

Ingredients

• 1 Jade Citrus Mint tea bag (Teavana brand, available at Starbucks or online)
• 1 Peach Tranquility tea bag
• ½ cup hot water (around 200°F / 93°C)
• ½ cup lemonade, steamed or heated
• Honey to taste
• Optional: a small splash of peppermint syrup or fresh mint leaves

Instructions

Add the tea bags to a large mug. Heat the water and pour it in along with the warm lemonade. Stir to mix in the honey. Allow the tea to steep for 3–4 minutes, then sip as soon as it’s cool enough to enjoy.

Tips and Substitutions

• If you can’t find Teavana teas, any minty green tea paired with a peach herbal tea will produce a similar result
• Starbucks uses their own honey blend containing water, natural flavors, and additives, whereas using raw honey at home provides natural enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties
• The drink can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheated when needed

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When the Medicine Ball Isn’t Enough

If you’re genuinely ill — fever, body aches, congestion, or a persistent cough — warm tea alone won’t cover it. A sore throat from a viral cold is one thing; strep throat or a secondary bacterial infection is another.

Drinking lots of fluids and gargling with salt water can often ease the pain of a sore throat, and some medicated lozenges or sprays can also temporarily soothe the pain.

When to Consider Medication

For symptoms that go beyond throat irritation, appropriate medication may be necessary. Online Generic Medicine carries a wide range of affordable, FDA-approved generic medicines across multiple categories:

• All Category Medicines — a broad catalogue of over 2,000 generic products for various conditions
• Antibiotic Treatments — for bacterial infections like strep throat or pneumonia when prescribed by a doctor
• Herbal Products — natural and herbal options for immune and general wellness support

Important: Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections like the common cold or flu. They work only when a bacterial cause — such as strep throat — has been diagnosed by a healthcare provider.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Medicine Ball at Starbucks called on the menu?

The official menu name is Honey Citrus Mint Tea. You can order it by either name — most baristas recognise both.

Is the Starbucks Medicine Ball good for a sore throat?

Yes, to a degree. Honey is a natural cough suppressant with antioxidants, and lemonade provides vitamin C. At the very minimum, this drink will soothe a sore throat. It won’t treat the underlying illness, but it offers genuine comfort.

Does the Medicine Ball have caffeine?

Jade Citrus Mint contains approximately 20 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces, while Peach Tranquility is caffeine-free. The combined drink has a low caffeine level — well below a standard coffee.

Can I make a sugar-free version?

Yes. Swap the lemonade for hot water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and reduce or skip the honey. Fresh lemon juice cuts down on the sugar content and gives the drink a fresher taste compared to the lemonade-based original.

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The Bottom Line

The Starbucks Medicine Ball is a genuinely pleasant warm drink with real ingredients that can provide temporary relief for a sore throat and a mild sense of comfort when you’re feeling run-down. It’s not a cure, and the sugar content is higher than the wholesome name suggests. But as a soothing ritual during cold season, it earns its reputation.

If symptoms are serious or persist beyond a few days, skip the drive-through and talk to a doctor. For affordable, quality generic medicines to support your health year-round, Online Generic Medicine offers FDA-approved generics shipped globally — at a fraction of branded prices.

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