How To Make A Starbucks Medicine Ball At Home

Can a drink from a coffeehouse really fight the flu? That's what proponents of Starbucks' Medicine Ball drink believe. The handcrafted beverage, also known as the Cold Buster, went viral in 2017. Since then, people have repeatedly ordered it when cold and flu season strikes. The Medicine Ball comes in a large (venti) cup containing hot water, steamed lemonade, two tea bags — Peach Tranquility and Jade Citrus Mint from Teavana — and topped with a bit of honey. It's not strictly on the menu, but if you ask nicely (especially if there isn't a long line), a barista can make it for you.

But does this combination of ingredients really cure colds? Not really. The truth of most cold viruses is that you just have to work through them and there's no magical cure to speed things along. What the drink is good for is soothing some of the symptoms associated with a cold, like a stuffy nose or sore throat. It doesn't hurt that the drink provides vitamin C, which may not banish your cold but is a nutrient your body could use. Plus, modern doctors stand by honey helping with sore throats.

Ordering the Medicine Ball is fairly simple. Just look for Honey Citrus Mint Tea on the menu. You can customize the amount of lemonade (light, standard, extra, or even no lemonade), change the number of tea bags used, and even request additional pumps of honey. Going by this formula, making it at home is fairly easy, too — and exposes fewer people to your cold germs.

Naturally, you could save a few bucks and make the drink yourself, especially if you might be drinking the concoction more than a couple of times during the season. The first step is finding the right tea blends since Teavana is no longer widely available. You might try Peach Serenity and Jade Citrus by Adagio to replace the Peach Tranquility and Jade Citrus Mint.

After getting your teas, the steps to making a DIY Medicine Ball are simple. Just heat an equal portion of water and plain lemonade. When the mix is hot, steep two tea bags (one of peach and one of jade) for at least two to three minutes. After the allotted time, remove the bags and stir in a little honey (to your taste). You could also add a little peppermint extract if you prefer a more minty flavor. Take sip, take a rest, and feel better soon!