Craving a cozy, antioxidant-rich drink without the coffee shop price tag? This healthy copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball tea is the perfect soothing sip!

A clear glass of homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball tea with honey, lemonade, green tea with peach on the side.

Some days just call for a cozy, comforting drink, especially when you’re feeling under the weather or need a little extra warmth. This healthy copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball tea gives you all the soothing flavors you love—without leaving the house or paying $4 a cup.

While the Starbucks version may feel soothing, it’s not exactly "medicine"—and it’s definitely not as healthy as you might think. A grande from the coffee shop can pack up to 30 grams of added sugar, which is over half of the daily recommended amount.

I love recreating my coffee shop favorites with better-for-you ingredients like lavender lattes with homemade lavender simple syrup or blueberry matcha lattes.

Thankfully, this homemade Medicine Ball tea is much lower in sugar, so you can enjoy the immune-boosting benefits of antioxidant-rich green tea and gut-soothing peppermint without a sugar overload.

The blend of peachy green tea, cool peppermint, a touch of honey, and a refreshing lemonade base (made with True Lemon ) creates the ultimate feel-good drink. Whether you’re fighting off a cold, winding down after a long day, or just craving a warm, comforting sip, this tea has you covered.

With just 26 calories and 6 grams of sugar, it’s a naturally sweet, hydrating option that tastes just as indulgent as the original—without the extra sugar or coffee shop price tag.

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Why you’ll love this medicine ball tea copycat

Cozy and comforting: A warm, soothing drink perfect for chilly days, sick days, or just when you need a little self-care.
Lower in sugar: Unlike the Starbucks version, this homemade recipe keeps sugar in check while still tasting deliciously sweet with stevia-sweetened lemonade and just a touch of honey.
Immune-supporting ingredients: Green tea is rich in antioxidants, and peppermint tea may help ease an upset tummy and support a healthy immune system.
Budget-friendly: Skip the $4 coffee shop price and make this at home for just a fraction of the cost.
Quick and easy: Ready in under 10 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients.
Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, tea strength, and flavors to make it exactly how you like it!

What you need to make medicine ball tea

A clear glass of homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball tea made with lemonade, green tea with peach, and peppermint tea.

Green tea with peach – A smooth, slightly sweet tea packed with antioxidants to support your immune system and provide a gentle energy boost.
Peppermint tea – Refreshing and soothing, it may offer some support for digestion and congestion relief, making it perfect for sick days or relaxation.
True Lemon Lemonade mix – A light and tangy lemonade alternative that gives the tea its signature citrus flavor without excess sugar. It’s sweetened with stevia, so you get all the sweetness without the sugar.
Honey – Adds just the right amount of natural sweetness while also helping to soothe sore throats and coughs.

How to make a healthy Starbucks medicine ball

Warm lemonade: Add lemonade mix to 4-6 ounces of water in a large mug, mix, then microwave for 30 to 60 seconds until just warmed.
Steep tea: Add six ounces of hot water (just off the boil) to the mug and steep one green tea with peach sachet for 5 minutes. After 3 minutes, add one peppermint tea sachet and let that steep for the last two minutes.
Stir in honey: Stir in one teaspoon of honey (or more if you like it sweeter) and enjoy.

How to make this recipe even easier

Whether you want to make this recipe as easy as possible or need to use some substitutions, try these variations:

Use a pre-made lemonade drink – Instead of mixing True Lemon with water, grab a bottle of light lemonade to save a step.
Microwave everything in one go – Heat the full amount of water in a large mug, then steep both tea bags simultaneously for a simpler approach.
Use a honey stick – No measuring needed! Just squeeze in a honey stick for easy, mess-free sweetness.
Make a big batch – Double or triple the recipe and store it in the fridge so you can heat up a cup whenever you need it.
Skip the steeping time – Use an electric kettle with a built-in tea infuser to cut down on waiting.
Try a pre-blended tea – Look for a citrus mint green tea blend to replace the two separate tea bags and simplify the process.

FAQs

How to order a Starbucks Medicine Ball?

While the medicine ball used to be a secret menu item, it’s available to order now as a Honey Citrus Mint Tea off the menu. But if you say “medicine ball” or “cold buster,” many baristas will know what you mean.

Did Starbucks change the medicine ball recipe?

Medicine ball was an unofficial name for the popular drink, but when Starbucks wanted to put it on their menu, they couldn’t claim that it had any disease-fighting properties by including the name medicine. So, while they kept the ingredients the same, it’s known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea.

Make ahead instructions

You can brew a big batch of this tea ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours, warming it up as needed.

Medicine Ball Tea

📖 Recipe