Starbucks Medicine Ball Recipe Without Lemonade
The Starbucks “Medicine Ball,” also known as the Honey Citrus Mint Tea, is a soothing warm drink popular during colder months and allergy seasons. Traditionally, it includes lemonade, but you can easily recreate a comforting version without it. This variation keeps the cozy balance of mint, peach, honey, and citrus—minus the sugar and tangy punch of lemonade.
Why Skip the Lemonade
Removing lemonade lowers the sugar content, makes the drink gentler on the stomach, and creates a more calming, tea-forward flavor. It still offers steam, warmth, hydration, and subtle sweetness—everything you want from a comforting tea.
Ingredients
• 1 bag Teavana Jade Citrus Mint (or any green tea + mint blend)
• 1 bag Teavana Peach Tranquility (or any peach herbal tea)
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup hot water or hot apple juice (optional for flavor depth)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
• Optional: fresh squeeze of lemon or 1–2 drops lemon extract
Instructions
- Heat your water
Boil 2 cups of water. Let it cool for about 30 seconds before pouring over tea—slightly below boiling protects the flavor of green tea and prevents bitterness. - Steep the tea bags
Place both tea bags into a mug. Add hot water and let them steep for 3 to 5 minutes. A shorter steep gives a light, spa-like drink; a longer steep produces a more herbal, cozy taste. - Add honey
Stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. Adjust to taste depending on how soothing or sweet you prefer the drink. - Optional citrus lift
Add a small squeeze of fresh lemon or a tiny drop of lemon extract. This gives the brightness lemonade normally provides without changing the core profile.
Flavor Notes
• Jade Citrus Mint provides a mint-forward green tea base, perfect for soothing the throat.
• Peach Tranquility gives soft, fruity warmth that rounds out the edges.
• Honey ties everything together while coating the throat with gentle sweetness.
• Optional lemon adds clarity without overpowering the blend.
Variation: Apple Comfort Version
Instead of the second cup of water, use hot apple juice. It creates a gentle sweetness and a cozy apple-cider-like finish. This variation is particularly comforting when you’re congested or chilled.
How to Make It
• 1 cup hot water steeped with the tea bags
• 1 cup hot apple juice
• Honey to taste
Combine the steeped tea with the apple juice and stir gently.
Tips for Best Results
• Do not boil tea bags directly in a pot—this makes green tea bitter.
• Use filtered water for a cleaner, lighter taste.
• If mint feels too strong, shorten the steep time or remove only the mint tea bag early.
• If peach flavor is too mild, steep the Peach Tranquility bag longer or use two bags.
Storage and Reheating
• This drink is best fresh, but you can brew the tea base in advance.
• Store the steeped tea (without honey) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Reheat gently until warm, then add honey to preserve flavor and nutrients.
When to Enjoy
• Before bed for a calming routine
• When recovering from a cold or sore throat
• As a mid-day wellness drink
• During winter for cozy comfort
Final Thoughts
The Starbucks Medicine Ball without lemonade is simple, soothing, and customizable. Whether you’re making it for wellness or warmth, this version maintains the comforting herbal flavors without extra sugar from lemonade. Adjust steeping time, honey, and citrus to meet your personal taste and enjoy a cup that truly feels restorative.
Starbucks Medicine Ball (No Lemonade)
Ingredients
- Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea 1 bag or any green tea + mint blend
- Teavana Peach Tranquility tea 1 bag or any peach herbal tea
- Hot water 2 cups
- Honey 1–2 teaspoons
- Optional fresh lemon squeeze or 1–2 drops lemon extract
- Optional swap 1 cup hot apple juice instead of second cup water
Instructions
- Boil 2 cups of water and allow it to cool 30 seconds so it’s just below boiling.
- Place both tea bags into a mug. Pour in the hot water and steep 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in honey and adjust sweetness.
- Add a small squeeze of lemon or a tiny drop of lemon extract if desired.
- Variation: Apple Comfort Version
- Steep tea bags in 1 cup hot water.
- Warm 1 cup apple juice separately.
- Combine tea and apple juice, then add honey to taste.
Notes
If mint is too strong, remove the mint tea bag early; if peach is too light, steep that bag longer.
