Starbucks Medicine Ball (Copycat)
A soothing hot tea drink that combines mint and peach teas with lemonade and honey. This copycat version recreates the popular Starbucks remedy for cold and flu symptoms.
Equipment
- 1 saucepan For boiling water
- 1 Separate container or small pot For heating lemonade
- 1 16 oz mug Grande size
- 1 Measuring cup For accurate liquid measurements
- 1 spoon For stirring honey
- 1 Instant-read thermometer (optional) To ensure lemonade reaches 180°F
Ingredients
- 3.7 grams Jade Citrus Mint Tea 1 sachet, or Tazo Zen as substitute
- 3.7 grams Peach Tranquility Tea 1 sachet, or Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion as substitute
- 177 ml Water Boiling temperature
- 177 ml Lemonade Simply Lemonade or Newman's Own recommended heated to 180°F
- 15 ml Honey Adjustable to taste
- 1 pump Peppermint syrup Optional, for extra cooling effect
Instructions
Heat the Liquids
- Pour 0.75 cup water into a saucepan and bring it to a full boil over high heat.
- While the water heats, pour 0.75 cup lemonade into a separate container.
- Heat the lemonade until it simmers but does NOT boil. You want the lemonade warm at around 180°F. Boiling lemonade concentrates the acid and creates bitterness. Cold lemonade drops the water temperature too quickly and prevents proper tea extraction.
The Double Steep
- Place both tea bags (Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility) in your 16 oz mug.
- Pour the hot boiling water over them first.
- Add the warm lemonade next.
- Allow the teas to steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- The mint compounds from Jade Citrus Mint release best between 175°F and 185°F. Higher temperatures turn green tea bitter. Both tea bags are necessary because the Jade Citrus Mint opens your sinuses with spearmint and lemongrass while the Peach Tranquility soothes your throat with chamomile and provides the signature fruity sweetness.
Sweeten and Serve
- Remove both tea bags after steeping is complete.
- Add 1 tablespoon honey AFTER removing the bags, not during brewing.
- Honey loses some antimicrobial properties when exposed to temperatures above 95°F for extended periods. Stirring it into already steeped tea preserves more benefits than cooking it in boiling water.
- If using optional peppermint syrup, add 1 pump now.
- Stir well and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can adjust the honey amount based on your sweetness preference. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed after tasting.
- The temperature of your lemonade matters significantly. Use an instant read thermometer to check that it reaches 180°F but does not boil. This ensures proper flavor extraction without bitterness.
- If you cannot find Jade Citrus Mint tea, Tazo Zen green tea works as a substitute. For Peach Tranquility, use Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion tea.
- Store your tea bags in an airtight container away from moisture and light to preserve the essential oils in the mint and herbs.
- This drink works best when consumed immediately while hot. The warmth helps open sinuses and soothe throat irritation. You can make a larger batch by doubling or tripling the recipe proportions.
- Do not microwave the lemonade and water together. Heating them separately gives you better temperature control and prevents the lemonade from becoming bitter.
- The peppermint syrup is optional but adds an extra menthol cooling sensation that some people find helpful for congestion. You can use Torani or Monin brand peppermint syrup.