When asked about Starbucks’ “Medicine Ball,” that’s the serious comment Jenny Hagendorf, MS, RDN, LD, CSOWM, in San Antonio, must have shared about the buzzy drink.
But is it really that good for you? And could it help relieve cold and flu symptoms?
Keep reading to find out what a Medicine Ball is at Starbucks, how to make a copycat version at home, and what nutritionists have to say about its potential health benefits.
What is a Starbucks medicine ball?
You might be wondering what’s in a Medicine Ball at Starbucks before you start gulping down this supposed elixir on your next trip to the famous coffeehouse chain. First, let’s break down what exactly is in this drink that many are ordering lately.
“The Starbucks Medicine Ball (now officially known as Honey Citrus Mint Tea) is a hot beverage that contains lemonade, spearmint tea, peach tea, and honey,” Hagendorf offers, describing the fan-favorite drink at the largest coffee shop chain in the world (in Texas alone, there are reportedly 1,315 Starbucks stores or one Starbucks for every 22,050 people, according to data company ScrapeHero). If you want to order Starbucks Medicine Ball, ask for it by its official name – Honey Citrus Mint Tea – at a Starbucks store or order it by that name on the Starbucks app. On the app, you can also customize the drink by deciding how much honey, how much lemonade, and if you want to add cinnamon powder, etc. to your drink.
“During cold and flu season, the Starbucks medicine ball is the secret menu order,” adds Adrien Paczosa, RD, LD, CEDRD-S, clinical director and founder of Nourish, a national telehealth company whose headquarters is in Austin, Texas. The next time you find yourself at a Starbucks or a co-worker or friend is on a Starbucks run, you might want to consider trying out the hot drink yourself and ordering a Medicine Ball from Starbucks. FYI: Starbucks Medicine Ball is reportedly priced over $3.15 per Starbmag.com, and prices may vary by location.
A woman lying on a sofa and blowing her nose.
Tom Merton/Getty ImagesCan the Starbucks Medicine Ball help you with a cold or the flu?
As always, see your GP or trusted healthcare professional if you have a cold or the flu (or symptoms associated with either). In short, no drink will magically cure your cold or flu. Still, according to experts, a Medicine Ball from Starbucks can help relieve some symptoms. The reason is threefold: “Hot liquids, honey and lemon are known to be natural cough remedies. Lemon is also a source of vitamin C which is a necessary vitamin for an optimal immune system. Green tea serves as an anti-inflammatory ingredient and has been shown to have beneficial effects against a variety of illnesses,” says Hagendorf, who cautions that while she wouldn’t rely entirely on the drink for cold and flu relief, “It can be a fun approach to recovery and staying hydrated.
Echoing Hagendorf, Paczosa notes that if you choose to opt for this Starbucks medicine ball, it won’t prevent or treat your cold, but it can still ease your symptoms and help you stay hydrated. “The hot drink has vitamin C, lemonade, antioxidants, and cough suppressant support from honey, and hydration and immune support from teas,” says Paczosa. Bottom line: The ingredients in Starbucks Medicine Ball have healthy properties, but like any food or drink, don’t consider it a panacea.
Close up of the Teavana Peach Tranquility label atop a container of brewed peach tea in a Starbucks coffee shop.
Gado/Gado via Getty ImagesHow to Make Starbucks Medicine Ball at Home
If you want to make your own Starbucks Medicine Ball tea at home, Paczosa explains how to make a similar drink:
1. Take one Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea bag and one Teavana Peach Tranquility tea bag and steep them in 12 ounces of hot water from a kettle.
2. Add eight to 12 ounces of heated lemonade to a large mug (Starbucks does steam their lemonade, but all you have to do is heat it, which you can do on your stovetop or by combining lemonade at room temperature with hot tea water if you don’t hesitate to make the drink a little less hot)
3. Drizzle with honey.
Hagendorf offers a similar copycat recipe for making Starbucks’ Medicine Ball at home, this time using a microwave. Here is what you will need:
1. Gather your ingredients: eight ounces of lemonade, eight ounces of water, one tablespoon of honey, one Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea bag, and one Teavana Peach Tranquility tea bag.
2. Add lemonade and water to a microwave safe mug and heat for 60 seconds until very hot.
3. Stir in your honey and steep your tea for about 3-4 minutes.
According to the individual, Hagendorf advises you to modify your DIY Starbucks medicine ball. “To minimize the amount of added sugar, you can use less lemonade in the recipe or try Real Lemonade for your lemonade base,” says Hagendorf. “To optimize antioxidant value, consider adding vitamin C-rich lemon juice/zest or fresh mint for an anti-inflammatory digestive aid.”
Fresh or powdered turmeric could also be a good addition when making this drink at home. “If desired, add turmeric for the possible reduction of inflammation in the body related to excessive coughing and sneezing, and possibly to increase antioxidant capacity to boost your immunity,” says Paczosa. The potent plant also adds a pungent jolt of flavor.
A teapot sits at the Teavana ‘tea bar’ on October 24, 2013 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesIs the Medicine Ball at Starbucks healthy for you?
“Compared to other Starbucks drinks, this drink is better than most because it offers some of the beneficial properties of green tea,” says Hagendorf. “On the other hand, the drink contains a handful of added sugar, so enjoying it as a treat would be the best approach for your health.” As with most health guidelines, “everything in moderation” is a good attitude to have, and if you regularly drink a version of the Starbucks Medicine Ball, just consider having hot water or lemon tea at the place, and skip the honey to avoid excess. sugar.
#Starbucks #medicine #ball #relieve #colds #flu