People swear by Starbucks' Medicine Ball as a cure-all!
How to Order a Medicine Ball Tea at Starbucks
Updated Jul. 24, 2024
Right now, one of the most popular custom drinks off the Starbucks secret menu is the Medicine Ball. While the name may sound more like equipment at your local gym, this tea can supposedly ward off sniffles, sore throats and all the issues that plague us during cold and flu season.
With temperatures dropping, I decided to head to Starbucks and try the Medicine Ball myself.
What’s in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?
This drink is so popular that Starbucks baristas know it by name. It’s not hard to understand why, once you look at the list of ingredients:
- Steamed lemonade
- Hot water
- Jade Citrus Mint green tea
- Peach Tranquility tea
- Honey
From a health perspective, this combination makes perfect sense: lemon soothes your throat, while green tea has a number of health benefits. Plus, any sort of hot drink is going to give you a boost when you’re feeling under the weather.
Honestly, I’m not the biggest green tea fan because I don’t love the bitterness, but the other Medicine Ball ingredients were intriguing enough to convince me that it’s worth a shot.
How to Order a Medicine Ball Tea
You can order the Starbucks Medicine Ball at the Starbucks drive-thru or in store. If your barista doesn’t know what it is, you can list out the ingredients, or ask for a Honey Citrus Mint Tea like I did. (That’s right, the Medicine Ball has been added to the official Starbucks menu.)
You can also place an order for a Honey Citrus Mint Tea in the Starbucks app and swing by to pick it up!
Learn how to order all the drinks on the Starbucks secret menu.
Starbucks Medicine Ball Review
The Medicine Ball tea is delicious. I love peach and it’s definitely the dominant flavor, so for me it was an immediate hit. It also masks the bitterness of the green tea, turning it into an almost pleasant aftertaste. It was definitely a welcome respite from the weather outside, and every sip felt like a comforting hug. I’d probably try it again if I had a cold.
The peach really does overpower the other flavors, so if you’re not a peach fan, I wouldn’t recommend this. I couldn’t taste much lemonade, and there’s barely a hint of mint. Some people ask for a shot of peppermint syrup to counteract this, and as a fan of the fresh flavor, I’m going to try this addition next time.
The sweetness also can be overwhelming—I had to space out my venti over half an hour to cope with all the sugar, even though I have a massive sweet tooth. That said, I’d still order it again—but probably with a healthy shot of mint for some balance!
If you’re feeling under the weather, pair the Starbucks Medicine Ball with one of these foods to eat when you have a cold.
Cozy Starbucks Drinks to Make at Home
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Pumpkin Spice LatteEach sip of this spiced-just-right beverage from our very own baristas tastes like a piece of pumpkin pie! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bacon & Swiss Chicken SandwichesI created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake BarsEnjoy this holiday dessert without worrying about calories. Plus it is so luscious that no one will guess that it is light! —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
Cheesecake Pumpkin MuffinsMy mother-in-law came up with these tender treats by combining a few of her favorite muffin recipes. Chock-full of pumpkin, they feature both a sweet cream cheese filling and crunchy praline topping. —Lisa Powelson, Scott City, Kansas
Chicken PaniniThis melty, decadent and easy-to-make chicken panini is perfect for a quick lunch or a casual weekend treat.
Pumpkin SconesPumpkin scones are known for being especially moist and tender, thanks to the high moisture content of pumpkins. These scones are simple to make, with a decadent glaze topper for a just-sweet-enough breakfast treat that'll leave your taste buds—and your belly—satisfied.
Caramelized Apple Hand PiesCaramelized apples are tucked into these apple hand pies that no one expects you to share! — Edwina Gadsby, Hayden, Idaho 
Inspired by: Starbucks Egg BitesYou can substitute Gruyere cheese for the Swiss and ham for the bacon, or add in small-cut veggies to these copycat Starbucks egg bites. I also like to bake these in small Mason jars for fun single-portion presentations. Serve with avocado slices and fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast. —Maria Morelli, West Kelowna, British Columbia
Caramel MochaIf you crave cafe-style coffees at home, here's a recipe for caramel mocha. You can make this decadent, sweet recipe within a few minutes and have a drink that rivals what you'd get at a coffeehouse.
Halloween Sugar CookiesHalloween sugar cookies are a fun (and delicious!) way to get into the spooky spirit. From cats and bats to witches' hats, there are so many great Halloween cutouts to bake and decorate.
Dutch Apple CakeMy husband and I came to Canada from Holland more than 40 years ago. This traditional Dutch recipe is a family favorite and has frequently gone along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario
Spiced Pumpkin Coffee ShakesThe winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
Originally Published: December 13, 2021
