If you‘re a Starbucks regular fighting off a stubborn winter cold, you may have heard buzz about a secret menu item called the Medicine Ball. Also known as the Cold Buster, this soothing combination of steamed lemonade, herbal tea, honey, and mint has become a customer favorite for easing sore throats and sniffles.
While the Medicine Ball began as an off-menu beverage, it grew so popular that Starbucks officially added it to the menu under the name Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Whatever you call it, many people swear by its comforting, cold-busting powers. And thanks to the Starbucks app, it‘s easier than ever to order one without waiting in line.
As a retail and consumer expert, I‘ve seen firsthand how "secret menu" items like the Medicine Ball can take on a life of their own, especially when amplified by social media. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through how to order a Medicine Ball on the Starbucks app, share the fascinating history behind the drink, and provide evidence-based tips to help you get the most out of your Starbucks experience.
Ordering a Medicine Ball on the Starbucks App: Step by Step
Ordering a Medicine Ball on the Starbucks app is simple once you know where to look. Follow these steps:
- Open the Starbucks app and tap "Order" from the bottom menu.
- Under "Menu," tap "Hot Teas" then scroll to "Green Teas."
- Look for "Honey Citrus Mint Tea"—this is the official name for Medicine Balls.
- Tap the tea, then select your size: tall (12 oz.), grande (16 oz.), or venti (20 oz.).
- Tap "Customizations" to adjust your tea to your liking. You can change the lemonade-to-water ratio, add extra honey or peppermint syrup, make it decaf, and more.
- Tap "Add to Order," select any other items, then tap "Order."
- Choose a pickup location and your desired pickup method (in-store, drive-thru, or curbside).
- Submit your order and wait for the app to notify you when your tea is ready!
One key benefit of using the app is that it allows you to easily customize your Medicine Ball to your taste. For example, if you‘re watching your sugar intake, you can reduce the honey pumps (a grande normally contains three). Craving an extra throat-soothing boost? Add a pump of peppermint syrup. Feel free to experiment to find your ideal combination.
Medicine Ball Ingredients: What‘s Really in It?
A classic Starbucks Medicine Ball contains:
- 1 bag Teavana Jade Citrus Mint green tea
- 1 bag Teavana Peach Tranquility herbal tea
- Half hot water, half steamed lemonade
- 1 to 5 pumps of honey blend syrup (1 for tall, 2 for grande, 3 for venti)
The Jade Citrus Mint is a blend of green teas, spearmint, lemon verbena, and lemongrass, while the Peach Tranquility features a sweet fusion of peach, candied pineapple, chamomile blossoms, lemon verbena, and rose hips.
According to a Starbucks spokesperson, the company "doesn‘t make any health claims" about the Medicine Ball. However, many of the ingredients have been scientifically shown to support wellness:
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Green tea is rich in antioxidants that may support immune function and overall health. A 2018 study in the journal Molecules found that a key antioxidant in green tea could help alleviate flu symptoms.
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Honey has antibacterial properties and may soothe sore throats and calm coughs. A 2021 review in Frontiers in Microbiology confirmed honey‘s effectiveness for treating upper respiratory tract infections.
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The menthol in peppermint and spearmint may help relieve nasal and chest congestion, according to a 2017 study in Respiratory Medicine.
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Chamomile has been used medicinally for centuries and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. According to a 2016 study in Electronic Physician, chamomile can help ease common cold symptoms.
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Citrus fruits like lemon are high in immune-boosting vitamin C. A 2017 study in Nutrients found that getting enough vitamin C could shorten the duration and severity of colds.
While more research is needed, the unique blend of ingredients in a Medicine Ball may work together to comfort cold and flu symptoms. Of course, it‘s always best to consult your doctor for personalized medical advice.
Medicine Ball Popularity: What the Data Shows
The Medicine Ball‘s journey from customer creation to social media stardom to official menu item is a fascinating case study in viral beverage trends. According to Starbucks reps, the Medicine Ball first gained popularity in October 2016 when a customer who was feeling ill ordered the custom tea beverage and developed a cult following online.
As photos and anecdotes about the Medicine Ball spread across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, Starbucks stores saw an unprecedented surge in orders for the drink. By March 2017, company execs revealed that the Medicine Ball had become the "most popular Starbucks drink in 16 states." That same month, Starbucks officially added Honey Citrus Mint Tea to menus nationwide to make it easier for baristas to fill the skyrocketing orders.
Since then, the Medicine Ball has remained a perennial Starbucks favorite, especially during cold and flu season. Google Trends data shows that search interest in "Starbucks Medicine Ball" reliably spikes each year in December and January. And according to social media analytics tool Sprout Social, there were over 16,000 social media mentions of "medicine ball" or "cold buster" in relation to Starbucks in November and December 2022 alone.
While Starbucks doesn‘t break out sales data for individual drinks, Medicine Balls fall under the company‘s broader tea category, which has seen strong growth in recent years. In Q3 2022, Starbucks reported that iced tea sales had increased 17% year-over-year, buoyed by new innovations and customization options. As more consumers prioritize wellness and seek out functional beverages, the Medicine Ball‘s popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
The Starbucks App: Expert Tips and Tricks
Besides making it easy to order a Medicine Ball wherever you are, the Starbucks app has several other features that can enhance your experience. Here are some of my top tips as a consumer trend expert:
Earn stars on every purchase. When you join Starbucks Rewards and link your account to the app, you‘ll earn Stars (reward points) with every purchase. Collect enough Stars and you‘ll unlock freebies like brewed hot coffee, handcrafted beverages, and breakfast sandwiches.
Customize your favorites. In addition to tweaking your Medicine Ball to perfection, you can use the app to save your go-to customizations on any drink for speedy re-ordering. Just tap "Order" and look under "Favorites" to view your saved combos and repeat with one tap.
Get a birthday reward. If you opt into Starbucks‘ birthday reward emails, you‘ll receive a special offer for a free handcrafted beverage or food item on your birthday. The app makes it seamless to redeem your birthday drink or treat.
Check your Star balance. Not sure how close you are to your next reward? Open the app and tap "Scan" in the bottom-right corner to view your Star balance and track your progress toward freebies.
Pay touch-free. The Starbucks app makes it easy to pay touch-free using your pre-loaded Starbucks Card balance, a linked credit/debit card, or mobile wallet. Just scan the barcode in the app at the register to complete your purchase.
Find the best times to order. To minimize your wait time, try using the app to order during off-peak hours like mid-morning or early afternoon. You‘ll also want to allow extra time for orders placed on weekends or holidays.
Leave a digital tip. If you received great service, you can show your appreciation by adding a tip directly in the app after you pick up your order. Starbucks introduced in-app tipping in 2022 as another way to recognize its hardworking baristas.
The Future of Starbucks and Wellness Drinks
The runaway success of the Medicine Ball is part of a broader trend of consumers seeking out wellness-promoting beverages. According to market research firm Mintel, 40% of U.S. consumers say they‘re interested in trying functional or enhanced beverages that offer benefits beyond hydration, like boosting immunity or aiding relaxation.
Starbucks has been leaning into this trend with an expanding collection of wellness-focused drinks and customization options. Beyond the Medicine Ball, the chain has introduced beverages like the Pineapple Matcha and Golden Ginger drinks, which feature trendy superfoods and adaptogens. Starbucks also recently rolled out a new line of wellness-inspired herbal teas, like Citrus Defender and Reishi Mushroom & Ginseng.
Looking ahead, I predict that we‘ll continue to see Starbucks and other large chains invest heavily in the functional beverage space. The global functional beverage market is projected to grow from $129 billion in 2022 to $198 billion by 2030, driven by health-conscious younger consumers.
For Starbucks, the success of viral "secret menu" items like the Medicine Ball also underscores the importance of social media listening and agile product development. By quickly responding to organic customer trends, the company was able to capitalize on the Medicine Ball‘s momentum and cement its status as a menu mainstay.
Other popular customized tea drinks like the "Dirty Chai" (a Chai Tea Latte with a shot of espresso) and "Matcha Pink Drink" (Matcha Green Tea Latte blended with Strawberry Açaí Refresher) have generated similar social media buzz in recent years. Starbucks would be wise to continue monitoring these types of grassroots beverage innovations as inspiration for future product launches.
As consumers‘ definitions of wellness expand to include mental and emotional wellbeing alongside physical health, I also expect to see Starbucks develop more offerings that invoke a sense of comfort, nostalgia, and indulgence. The Pumpkin Spice Latte‘s enduring popularity is a testament to the power of familiar, feel-good flavors. Future drinks that evoke a similar sense of coziness and ritual—perhaps with a superfood twist—could be another hit.
Cozy Medicine Ball Pairings and Rituals
Speaking of coziness, part of the Medicine Ball‘s appeal lies in its ability to provide a comforting ritual during times of stress or sickness. To level up your Medicine Ball moment, try these serving and sipping suggestions:
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Pour your Medicine Ball into your favorite oversized mug and wrap your hands around it to absorb the warmth and aromatic steam.
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Pair your Medicine Ball with a nourishing snack like whole-grain toast with honey, a bowl of hot oatmeal, or fresh citrus fruits to give your body extra fuel.
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Sip slowly and purposefully, taking time to savor each ingredient. Inhale the minty steam to help clear nasal passages as you drink.
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Enjoy your Medicine Ball somewhere quiet and relaxing, like curled up on the couch with a soft blanket or in a peaceful outdoor spot in nature.
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If you‘re home all day, try making a double batch of Medicine Ball and storing some in a thermos to sip on whenever you need a comforting pick-me-up.
However you choose to enjoy it, there‘s no denying the Medicine Ball‘s ability to soothe both body and soul. The next time you feel a cold coming on—or just need an extra dose of TLC—let the Starbucks app come to your rescue with this comforting classic.
