The Starbucks secret menu is the stuff of legends, with devoted fans always eager to try the latest off-menu concoctions. But few "secret" Starbucks drinks have reached the popularity of the Medicine Ball.
This comforting, cold-busting beverage started as a custom order that eventually made its way onto the official Starbucks menu, albeit under a different name. If you‘re curious about the hype surrounding the Starbucks Medicine Ball and want to know exactly what‘s in it, read on for the full scoop.
The History of the Medicine Ball Drink
The origin of the Starbucks Medicine Ball is a bit murky, but most accounts trace it back to sometime around 2016. As the story goes, it was created by Starbucks baristas as a soothing drink to help combat cold and flu symptoms like sore throat and congestion.
Word of this "secret" cold remedy spread quickly on social media, especially Instagram. Before long, customers were coming in and requesting the Medicine Ball by name. Its popularity grew so much that in 2017, Starbucks formally added it to the permanent menu.
However, they gave it a new, official name: Honey Citrus Mint Tea. While you can still order it as a Medicine Ball, the baristas will know exactly what you mean if you use the proper name. Some customers also refer to it as the "Cold Buster," but Honey Citrus Mint Tea is definitely the way to go if you want to make sure you get the right drink.
What‘s in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?
Now that you know the background, let‘s get to the most important part: what‘s actually in this magical elixir? A Starbucks Medicine Ball consists of:
- Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea
- Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea
- Hot water
- Steamed lemonade
- A dash of honey
The Jade Citrus Mint Tea is a blend of green tea, lemon verbena, lemongrass, and spearmint. It‘s known for its refreshing, citrusy flavor with notes of mint.
The Peach Tranquility Tea is actually a caffeine-free herbal blend. It contains a mix of candied pineapple, chamomile blossoms, lemon verbena, rosehips, and peach pieces. The combination of peach and chamomile produces a gently sweet, warming, and calming taste.
To make the Medicine Ball, a Starbucks barista will steep one bag of each tea in half hot water and half steamed lemonade. A touch of honey is added for sweetness that also helps soothe the throat. The result is a delightfully comforting drink that‘s both citrusy and subtly sweet with a lovely hint of mint.
The Nutritional Breakdown
If you‘re watching your calorie intake, you‘ll be happy to know that the Medicine Ball is a relatively guilt-free choice. A 16-ounce Grande contains:
- 130 calories
- 0 grams of fat
- 32 grams of carbs
- 30 grams of sugar
- 0 grams of protein
- 16 milligrams of caffeine
Most of the carbs and sugars come from the honey and lemonade, so you could ask for less of those ingredients if you want to reduce the sweetness. Keep in mind that while it‘s not a low-calorie drink, it‘s still a much healthier choice than most of the heavily sweetened lattes and Frappuccinos on the Starbucks menu.
Ordering the Medicine Ball at Starbucks
Ordering a Medicine Ball is easy, even if your local Starbucks baristas aren‘t familiar with the name. Here‘s what to do:
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Go to the register and ask for a Honey Citrus Mint Tea, or a Medicine Ball if the barista seems understanding of the lingo.
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Specify your size. The Medicine Ball comes in four sizes: Tall (12 ounces), Grande (16 ounces), Venti (20 ounces), and Trenta (30 ounces).
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If you want to customize your drink, now‘s the time to do it. For example, you could ask for extra honey, a pump of peppermint syrup, or a splash of steamed coconut milk in place of the water.
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Pay and pick up your Medicine Ball at the end of the bar.
If you‘re using the Starbucks mobile app, you can find the Honey Citrus Mint Tea under the "Hot Teas" section. Once you select it, you‘ll be able to customize it to your liking before placing your order.
Making the Medicine Ball at Home
Can‘t make it to Starbucks? No worries – it‘s easy to whip up a Medicine Ball in the comfort of your own kitchen. Here‘s what you‘ll need:
- 1 bag Jade Citrus Mint Tea
- 1 bag Peach Tranquility Tea
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 cup steamed lemonade (or regular lemonade warmed in the microwave)
To make it, simply steep the tea bags in the hot water and lemonade for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the honey until it‘s fully dissolved, then enjoy your homemade Medicine Ball while it‘s nice and warm.
If you don‘t have the specific Teavana teas that Starbucks uses, you can substitute a green tea and peach herbal tea from a different brand. And if you want to up the cold-fighting benefits, try adding some fresh lemon juice, grated ginger, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to your drink.
Medicine Ball Benefits and Customer Reviews
So, does the Medicine Ball live up to its name? While Starbucks makes no official claims about the drink‘s ability to combat colds, many customers swear by its soothing properties. The combination of green tea, honey, lemon, and herbal peach tea does make for a comforting blend that can help ease a sore throat and provide a welcome dose of hydration.
The Medicine Ball‘s star ingredient is arguably the honey, which has natural antibacterial properties and has been used as a cough suppressant for centuries. The Jade Citrus Mint tea contains menthol from the mint, which can help relieve nasal congestion and cough. And the steam from the hot water and lemonade may also help soothe inflamed sinuses and throats.
But the real magic of the Medicine Ball seems to be in its comforting warmth and gentle flavor. Customers rave about how soothing it feels on a sore throat or during a stubborn cold, often saying it‘s an instant mood-lifter. Some have even made drinking Medicine Balls a part of their regular cold-season ritual, like taking vitamins or washing their hands more frequently.
That said, it‘s important to remember that the Medicine Ball is not an actual cold remedy and shouldn‘t be relied on as a cure. While drinking one may temporarily relieve some symptoms, it‘s still important to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and consult with a doctor for any serious or prolonged cold or flu.
Final Thoughts
The Starbucks Medicine Ball may have started as a secret menu item, but it‘s certainly not a secret anymore. This comforting blend of teas, honey, and lemonade has amassed a cult following of devoted fans who swear by its soothing properties during cold season.
While it may not be a magic cure-all, the Medicine Ball does offer a delightfully warm and cozy way to ease a sore throat or stuffy nose. And with its relatively simple list of ingredients, it‘s an easy drink to replicate at home whenever you need a comforting pick-me-up.
So next time you‘re feeling under the weather, head to your local Starbucks and order a Honey Citrus Mint Tea – or, if you‘re in the know, a Medicine Ball. Your taste buds and your immune system just might thank you.
