What Tea Does Starbucks Use for Its Medicine Ball? Ingredients, Benefits and Recipe

When a cold, sore throat or chilly morning calls for a warm drink, Starbucks' Medicine Ball is a name many tea drinkers recognise. Its combination of tea, steamed lemonade and honey has made it a popular choice for people looking for a comforting hot beverage.

But what tea does Starbucks use for its Medicine Ball? Is it made with herbal tea, green tea or a special blend? And can you recreate the same drink at home?

The answer is straightforward: Starbucks' Medicine Ball is officially called Honey Citrus Mint Tea, and its US recipe uses two tea bags, lemonade and honey blend syrup. The tea component is a green tea blend with fruit and herbal notes, including spearmint and chamomile. Starbucks lists the beverage on its official menu.

In this guide, we will explore the tea bags used in the drink, its ingredients, caffeine content, potential benefits, preparation method and practical alternatives. We will also look at how to adjust the recipe to suit your taste and sugar preferences.

What Is Starbucks' Medicine Ball Tea?

Starbucks' Medicine Ball is the popular name for its Honey Citrus Mint Tea. It is a hot drink made with a combination of tea, steamed lemonade and honey blend syrup.

The drink became popular through customer orders before Starbucks added it to its official menu. Its name reflects the combination of warm liquid, citrus flavour, mint notes and sweetness.

Despite its nickname, Medicine Ball is not a medicine. It is a beverage that some people enjoy when they want something warm and soothing.

The drink is particularly appealing because it brings together several familiar flavours:

• Green tea: Provides a mild tea base and a small amount of caffeine.
• Herbal ingredients: Spearmint, chamomile and other botanicals contribute to the flavour.
• Lemonade: Adds citrus acidity and sweetness.
• Honey blend syrup: Adds sweetness and a distinctive honey flavour.
• Hot water: Helps brew the tea and bring the ingredients together.

The finished drink has a warm, sweet and slightly tangy flavour. The mint and herbal notes balance the citrus, while the honey blend softens the sharper taste of the lemonade.

One important point is that Starbucks' published ingredients and recipe may vary by country or change over time. The details below refer primarily to the US menu listing.

What Tea Does Starbucks Use for Its Medicine Ball?

Starbucks uses two tea bags in its standard Honey Citrus Mint Tea recipe. Its official US ingredient listing identifies the tea infusion as a blend containing green tea, apple, rose hips, lemon verbena, spearmint, natural flavour, chamomile flowers, licorice and lemongrass.

This means the tea is not simply plain green tea or a caffeine-free herbal infusion. It combines green tea with several ingredients that give it a fruity, minty and lightly floral character.

Here is a closer look at the main tea components.

1. Green Tea

Green tea forms part of the tea blend used in the Medicine Ball.

Unlike a purely herbal infusion, green tea naturally contains caffeine. Its flavour is generally lighter than that of many black teas, although the precise taste depends on the blend and brewing conditions.

In the Medicine Ball, green tea provides a gentle tea flavour without overpowering the lemonade, honey and herbs.

Because the drink contains green tea, it is not completely caffeine-free. Anyone who avoids caffeine should consider this before ordering.

2. Spearmint

Spearmint contributes a fresh, cooling flavour to the blend.

Its aroma helps balance the sweetness of the honey blend and the sharpness of the lemonade. This minty character is one reason the drink tastes different from a standard cup of green tea with lemon.

Spearmint is also commonly used in herbal infusions because it produces a refreshing flavour without requiring additional sweeteners.

3. Chamomile Flowers

Chamomile adds a mild floral and herbal note.

It helps create a softer flavour profile, making the drink less sharp than a combination of green tea and lemon alone.

Chamomile is commonly consumed in herbal teas, particularly in the evening. However, the presence of chamomile in a mixed tea blend does not mean the entire drink is caffeine-free or that it has established medicinal effects.

4. Apple and Rose Hips

Apple and rose hips contribute fruity notes to the tea infusion.

These ingredients help give the blend a rounded flavour that works well with the lemonade. They also add complexity without relying entirely on the sweetness of the honey blend.

Although rose hips are associated with vitamin C in food discussions, their presence in this tea should not be interpreted as proof that the finished drink provides a significant amount of the vitamin.

5. Lemon Verbena and Lemongrass

Lemon verbena and lemongrass contribute citrus-like herbal notes.

They complement the lemonade already included in the recipe, creating a consistent lemon flavour throughout the drink.

Together, these ingredients help explain why Starbucks' Medicine Ball tastes more layered than a simple mixture of hot water, green tea, honey and lemon juice.

6. Licorice

Licorice adds a naturally sweet, distinctive herbal note to the infusion.

It can help round out the flavours of mint, citrus and green tea. However, licorice is not suitable for everyone in every quantity, particularly people who need to limit glycyrrhizin-containing licorice because of blood pressure or other health concerns.

The exact amount present in a serving is not established by the ingredient list alone.

The key takeaway: Starbucks' Medicine Ball uses a green tea-based blend with herbal and fruity ingredients. It is not simply a cup of green tea with honey and lemon.

Does Starbucks Use Jade Citrus Mint Tea and Peach Tranquility?

This is one of the most common questions about the Medicine Ball.

Historically, Starbucks' Medicine Ball recipe has been associated with two Teavana teas:

• Jade Citrus Mint: A green tea blend with citrus and mint notes.
• Peach Tranquility: A caffeine-free herbal infusion with peach and other fruit and botanical notes.

These teas are often mentioned in older copycat recipes and discussions of the original customer-created beverage.

However, Starbucks' current US Honey Citrus Mint Tea ingredient listing identifies a combined tea infusion rather than separately listing Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility as the two tea bags. The published menu confirms the use of two tea bags but does not identify the current blend by either of those two retail-style tea names.

For that reason, it is worth distinguishing between the familiar historical recipe and the ingredients Starbucks currently publishes for its menu drink.

If you are trying to recreate the flavour at home, combining a mild green tea with a peach-based herbal tea is a reasonable starting point. It is a homemade approximation, though, rather than a confirmed reproduction of Starbucks' current recipe.

What Are the Ingredients in Starbucks' Medicine Ball?

The US Starbucks menu lists three main components for Honey Citrus Mint Tea: the tea infusion, lemonade and honey blend syrup.

The tea infusion contains water, apple, green tea, rose hips, lemon verbena, spearmint, natural flavour, chamomile flowers, licorice and lemongrass. The lemonade contains water, lemon juice, sugar and lemon oil. The honey blend contains honey, water, natural flavours, potassium sorbate, xanthan gum and citric acid.

Here is how each part contributes to the finished drink.

Ingredient	Purpose in the drink
Green tea blend	Provides the tea base and some caffeine
Spearmint	Adds a fresh, minty flavour
Chamomile	Contributes floral and herbal notes
Apple and rose hips	Add fruity flavour
Lemon verbena and lemongrass	Reinforce the citrus-like herbal character
Lemonade	Adds lemon flavour, acidity and sweetness
Honey blend syrup	Adds sweetness and honey flavour
Hot water	Helps brew and combine the ingredients

The precise balance of these ingredients determines the final taste. Increasing the amount of lemonade makes the drink more citrus-forward, while extra honey blend makes it sweeter.

If you are making it at home, you can adjust the sweetness and lemon intensity without needing to follow the café recipe exactly.

How Much Caffeine Is in Starbucks' Medicine Ball?

Starbucks lists approximately 16–25 milligrams of caffeine in a grande, 16-ounce Honey Citrus Mint Tea on its US nutrition page. The amount is approximate and can vary with preparation and recipe changes.

This is relatively little caffeine compared with many coffee drinks, but it is not zero.

The caffeine comes from the green tea in the blend. The herbal ingredients do not make the whole drink caffeine-free.

Caffeine content may also differ by serving size and market. If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, check the nutritional information for the specific drink available at your local Starbucks.

For more information about caffeine levels across the Starbucks tea menu, read our related guide: Which Starbucks Tea Has the Most Caffeine?

This comparison can help you choose a drink based on whether you want a little caffeine, a stronger tea flavour or a lower-caffeine option.

Is Starbucks' Medicine Ball Caffeine-Free?

No. The standard US Honey Citrus Mint Tea contains green tea, so it provides a small amount of caffeine.

This matters if you are choosing the drink before bed, avoiding caffeine for personal reasons or trying to reduce your overall daily intake.

If you want a caffeine-free homemade version, you can use a caffeine-free herbal tea blend containing mint, chamomile and fruit flavours. You can then add warm lemonade and a little honey.

Keep in mind that a homemade caffeine-free version will not taste exactly like the Starbucks drink because removing green tea changes the flavour as well as the caffeine content.

If reducing caffeine is your main goal, our guide to the best low-caffeine drinks at Starbucks explores other options and explains why it is important to distinguish between low-caffeine and caffeine-free beverages.

What Does Starbucks' Medicine Ball Taste Like?

The drink has a sweet citrus flavour with gentle mint and herbal notes.

Its taste is influenced by three main elements.

First, the green tea provides a mild base. It gives the drink some depth without the stronger, more robust flavour associated with many black teas.

Second, the lemonade creates the citrus character. Its acidity cuts through the sweetness and makes the drink taste brighter.

Third, the honey blend softens the flavour. The sweetness balances the lemon, while the mint and chamomile make the overall profile more rounded.

The result is a drink that tastes like a combination of lightly brewed green tea, lemon, honey and herbs.

It is not necessarily a strong tea for people who prefer bold black tea or intense green tea. Instead, it is designed around a softer balance of sweetness, citrus and botanicals.

Can Starbucks' Medicine Ball Help With a Cold or Sore Throat?

Many people choose the Medicine Ball when they have a cold or a sore throat because it is served warm and has a combination of honey, lemon and tea.

There are reasonable explanations for why a warm drink may feel comforting. However, it is important to separate temporary symptom relief from claims that a beverage can treat an illness.

1. Warm Liquid May Soothe Throat Discomfort

A warm drink can feel soothing when your throat is irritated.

The warmth may temporarily ease discomfort, while the liquid helps maintain hydration. Drinking enough fluids is useful when you are unwell, particularly if you have a fever or are losing fluids.

The benefit comes from the warm liquid and hydration, not from a special medicinal effect unique to Starbucks' recipe.

2. Honey May Help Ease a Cough

Honey has evidence supporting its use for temporary cough relief, particularly in children over one year old.

It may help reduce coughing and make a sore throat feel more comfortable. However, it should not be given to children younger than 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism.

The honey blend in Starbucks' Medicine Ball is part of a sweetened beverage, and its precise amount of honey should not be assumed to equal a therapeutic dose.

3. Lemon Adds Flavour but Is Not a Cold Cure

Lemon provides a bright citrus taste and can make warm water or tea more appealing.

Although lemon is often associated with vitamin C, drinking a lemon-flavoured beverage does not mean you are consuming enough vitamin C to prevent or cure a cold.

A balanced diet and adequate fluid intake remain more important than relying on one drink.

4. Tea Provides Warmth and Fluid

The tea component adds flavour and contributes to the drink's overall fluid content.

The green tea also provides a small amount of caffeine. For most people, this amount is modest, but those who are especially sensitive to caffeine may still want to account for it.

The herbal ingredients make the drink aromatic and pleasant, but they should not be treated as proven treatments for respiratory infections.

What the Drink Cannot Do

Starbucks' Medicine Ball has not been established as a treatment for colds, influenza, COVID-19, strep throat or other infections.

It cannot reliably shorten an illness, eliminate a virus or replace medical treatment when treatment is needed.

If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, chest pain, signs of dehydration, a persistent high fever or symptoms that are severe or worsening, seek appropriate medical advice.

How to Make Starbucks' Medicine Ball at Home

You do not need a coffee shop to enjoy a warm drink with green tea, citrus, mint and honey. With a few everyday ingredients, you can prepare a homemade version and adjust the sweetness to suit your preferences.

The following recipe is inspired by the flavours of Starbucks' Medicine Ball. It is not an exact reproduction of the current Starbucks formula.

Ingredients

For one large mug, you will need:

• 1 green tea bag
• 1 peach herbal tea bag
• ½ cup hot water
• ½ cup lemonade
• 1–2 teaspoons honey, adjusted to taste
• A small lemon slice, optional
• A few fresh mint leaves, optional

Choose a peach herbal tea that is naturally caffeine-free if you want to keep the caffeine level lower. The green tea will still contribute caffeine.

Step 1: Brew the Tea

Bring fresh water to a boil, then allow it to cool slightly before brewing the green tea according to the instructions on its packaging.

Add the peach herbal tea bag and allow it to steep for the recommended time.

Using two different teas creates a layered flavour. The green tea supplies the familiar tea character, while the peach infusion adds fruitiness and a softer herbal note.

Avoid steeping green tea for too long if you dislike bitterness.

Step 2: Warm the Lemonade

Gently warm the lemonade in a separate saucepan.

Do not boil it vigorously. You want it warm enough to blend with the tea without losing the fresh citrus character.

If you prefer a less sweet drink, use a lower-sugar lemonade or replace some of it with hot water and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Step 3: Combine the Ingredients

Remove the tea bags and pour the brewed tea into a large mug.

Add the warm lemonade and stir gently.

Taste the mixture before adding honey. Some lemonades already contain considerable sugar, so you may not need much additional sweetness.

Step 4: Add Honey and Serve

Stir in the honey until it dissolves.

Add a lemon slice or a few mint leaves if you like. Let the drink cool to a comfortable temperature before drinking.

The result should have a balance of mild tea, fruit, citrus and sweetness.

How to Adjust the Recipe

Your preference	What to change
Less sweetness	Reduce the honey and use lower-sugar lemonade
Stronger tea flavour	Brew the tea according to the package instructions and avoid excessive dilution
More citrus	Add a little fresh lemon juice
More mint flavour	Add a few fresh mint leaves
Lower caffeine	Use a caffeine-free herbal tea instead of green tea
Less acidity	Reduce the lemonade and add more hot water

These adjustments allow you to make a drink that suits your taste without depending on a fixed café recipe.

Which Tea Should You Buy to Recreate the Medicine Ball?

The most practical approach is to choose teas according to their flavour rather than looking for a product with exactly the same name.

Green Tea for the Base

A mild green tea works well when you want a light, clean tea flavour.

Look for a tea that is not excessively smoky or bitter. A straightforward green tea is a useful starting point because it can blend with citrus and honey without dominating the drink.

Explore the green tea options available through the British Tea and check individual product descriptions for ingredients and brewing instructions.

Peach Herbal Tea for Fruity Notes

A peach herbal blend can add the soft fruit flavour associated with many homemade Medicine Ball recipes.

Check the ingredient list before purchasing. Some peach teas contain green or black tea, while others are entirely herbal.

This distinction matters if you are trying to control caffeine intake.

Mint Tea for a Fresh Finish

Mint tea is another option for people who enjoy the fresh flavour of the Medicine Ball.

A pure peppermint or spearmint infusion will taste different from Starbucks' green tea blend, but it can provide a refreshing alternative.

You can also combine mint tea with lemon and a little honey to make a simple hot beverage.

A practical tip: Start with one tea that you enjoy drinking on its own. Then experiment with small amounts of citrus, honey and complementary herbal flavours. This is usually more effective than buying several teas before you know which flavours you prefer.

Is the Medicine Ball a Healthy Drink?

Whether the Medicine Ball fits your diet depends on the ingredients, serving size and how often you drink it.

Tea itself can be a useful part of a varied diet. However, the sugar content of the finished beverage deserves attention.

According to Starbucks' US nutrition information, a standard grande Honey Citrus Mint Tea contains approximately 130 calories and 30 grams of sugar. The published figures can vary if the recipe or customisations change. (Starbucks nutrition information)

Here are the main factors to consider.

1. Sugar Content

The honey blend and lemonade contribute much of the drink's sweetness.

Although honey is a familiar ingredient in homemade tea, it still contains sugar. Adding honey to an already sweetened drink increases its total sugar content.

If you are monitoring your sugar intake, ask whether the drink can be prepared with less honey blend. You can also make a homemade version using unsweetened tea, fresh lemon juice and a small amount of honey.

2. Caffeine Intake

The drink contains a relatively small amount of caffeine compared with many coffee beverages, but it is not caffeine-free.

If you drink tea throughout the day, consider your total caffeine intake from all sources.

People who are sensitive to caffeine may prefer a completely herbal version, particularly in the evening.

3. Hydration

Tea and other beverages contribute to daily fluid intake.

A warm cup can be an enjoyable way to drink more fluids, especially during colder weather or when you have a sore throat.

However, there is no need to choose a sweetened drink specifically for hydration. Plain water and unsweetened tea are also useful options.

4. Herbal Ingredients and Individual Needs

The drink's herbal ingredients contribute to its flavour, but natural ingredients are not automatically suitable for everyone.

For example, the Starbucks tea infusion lists licorice. Licorice can affect blood pressure and interact with certain medicines, particularly when consumed in significant amounts. People with high blood pressure or relevant medical conditions should discuss regular consumption of licorice-containing products with a healthcare professional.

The ingredient list does not establish the precise amount of licorice in an individual serving.

For most people, the sensible approach is to consider the complete beverage rather than judging it by the presence of one ingredient.

What Is the Difference Between Starbucks' Medicine Ball and Regular Green Tea?

The main difference is the combination of ingredients and the finished drink's nutritional profile.

Feature	Starbucks Medicine Ball	Regular green tea
Tea base	Green tea-containing blend with herbal and fruit ingredients	Green tea leaves or a green tea blend
Main flavour	Sweet citrus, mint and herbs	Fresh, grassy, vegetal or lightly nutty, depending on the tea
Sweeteners	Honey blend syrup in the standard US recipe	None unless added
Lemonade	Included in the standard US recipe	Not usually included
Caffeine	Approximately 16–25 mg in a grande, according to Starbucks	Varies with tea type and brewing method
Sugar	Approximately 30 g in a standard grande	Usually negligible when served plain
Preparation	Brewed tea combined with steamed lemonade and honey blend	Tea steeped in hot water

The comparison shows why the Medicine Ball tastes different from a plain cup of green tea. Much of its distinctive flavour comes from the lemonade and sweetener rather than the tea alone.

If you prefer to taste the tea itself, a simple green tea may be the better option. If you enjoy sweet, citrus-forward drinks, the Medicine Ball offers a different experience.

Medicine Ball vs. Peach Tea vs. Mint Tea: Which Should You Choose?

These drinks can share similar flavours, but they serve different preferences.

Choose a Medicine Ball-style drink if you enjoy a sweet, warm beverage combining tea, lemon and honey.

Choose peach herbal tea if you prefer fruity flavours without necessarily adding lemonade or a sweetener. Check the ingredients because not every peach tea is caffeine-free.

Choose mint tea if you want a straightforward herbal infusion with a fresh flavour. Pure peppermint or spearmint tea is naturally caffeine-free when it contains no added green or black tea.

Choose plain green tea if you prefer a less sweet drink and want to enjoy the flavour of the tea itself.

There is no single best option for everyone. Your choice depends on flavour, caffeine preferences, sugar intake and the time of day.

How the Medicine Ball Fits Into Changing Tea Habits

Tea drinkers increasingly have more ways to personalise a familiar drink. Some prefer traditional black tea, while others enjoy green tea, fruit infusions or combinations of herbs and citrus.

The Medicine Ball illustrates how a simple tea base can become a more complex beverage through the addition of other ingredients.

This approach also works at home. You can start with a familiar tea and change the flavour by adding lemon, mint, peach or a little honey.

The important consideration is balance. More ingredients do not automatically make a drink healthier or more effective. The best recipe is one that tastes good, fits your preferences and does not rely on unsupported health claims.

For anyone exploring different tea options, understanding the difference between traditional tea and herbal infusions makes it easier to select the right blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What tea does Starbucks use for its Medicine Ball?

Starbucks serves its Medicine Ball under the official name Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Its current US ingredient listing identifies a green tea-containing infusion with apple, rose hips, lemon verbena, spearmint, chamomile, licorice and lemongrass. The standard recipe includes two tea bags, lemonade and honey blend syrup.

2. Does Starbucks use Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility?

Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility are associated with historical Medicine Ball recipes and older copycat instructions. However, Starbucks' current US ingredient listing does not identify those two teas as the specific tea bags used in its standard Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Check the current menu and local availability if you want to confirm a particular store's ingredients.

3. Is Starbucks' Medicine Ball made with green tea?

Yes. Starbucks' published US ingredient list includes green tea in its tea infusion. The blend also contains fruit and herbal ingredients that contribute to its flavour.

4. Does the Medicine Ball contain caffeine?

Yes. Starbucks lists approximately 16–25 milligrams of caffeine in a grande Honey Citrus Mint Tea. The exact amount may vary with preparation and recipe changes.

5. Is Starbucks' Medicine Ball caffeine-free?

No. Its green tea component naturally contains caffeine. A homemade version using only caffeine-free herbal teas can avoid the caffeine contributed by green tea, provided none of the other ingredients contains caffeine.

6. Can I drink a Medicine Ball before bed?

That depends on your caffeine sensitivity and the time you plan to drink it. Although it contains much less caffeine than many coffee drinks, it is not caffeine-free. A completely herbal version may be more suitable if you avoid caffeine in the evening.

7. Does Starbucks' Medicine Ball cure a cold?

No. There is no established evidence that the drink cures a cold or eliminates the virus responsible for an infection. Warm liquids may soothe an irritated throat, and honey may help ease a cough. These effects do not make the drink a substitute for medical treatment.

8. Is Starbucks' Medicine Ball high in sugar?

A standard grande US Honey Citrus Mint Tea contains approximately 30 grams of sugar according to Starbucks' published nutrition information. The honey blend and lemonade contribute to the total. Ask about reducing the sweetener or make a homemade version with less added sugar if that better suits your diet.

9. Can I make a Medicine Ball without lemonade?

Yes. You can combine brewed green tea or a green tea blend with hot water, lemon juice and a little honey. The flavour will be less sweet and may taste sharper than the Starbucks version.

10. What is the best tea for a homemade Medicine Ball?

A mild green tea paired with a peach herbal infusion is a reasonable starting point. Add warm lemonade and honey to taste. If you want to avoid caffeine, replace the green tea with a caffeine-free herbal blend.

11. Can I use fresh lemon instead of lemonade?

Yes. Fresh lemon juice provides citrus flavour without the added sugar found in many lemonades. You can combine it with hot water, brewed tea and a small amount of honey. The resulting drink will taste different from the standard Starbucks recipe.

12. Is herbal tea always caffeine-free?

No. Many herbal infusions are naturally caffeine-free, but products labelled as herbal blends can contain green tea, black tea or other caffeinated ingredients. Always check the ingredient list if avoiding caffeine is important to you.

Final Thoughts

Starbucks' Medicine Ball is officially known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Its current US recipe combines a green tea-containing blend with steamed lemonade and honey blend syrup, creating a warm drink with sweet citrus, mint and herbal flavours.

The tea itself is more complex than plain green tea, but the lemonade and sweetener are equally important to the finished taste.

You can recreate a similar drink at home with green tea, peach herbal tea, lemon and honey. You can also adjust the recipe to reduce sweetness or eliminate caffeine by choosing suitable herbal ingredients.

Ultimately, understanding what goes into the Medicine Ball helps you make a more informed choice, whether you order it at a café or prepare your own version at home.