Homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball (Honey Citrus Mint Tea)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Cozy citrus-herbal warmth with a soft peach-mint aroma.
• Balanced sweetness: real honey plus zesty lemon for brightness.
• Fast and soothing—ready in about 10 minutes.
• Easy to customize: make it caffeine-free, extra gingery, or lightly sweet.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 lemon, optional fresh mint
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Peach herbal tea bags, mint green tea bags, lemonade, honey

Full Ingredients

Tea Base (1 serving)

• 1 peach herbal tea bag
• 1 mint green tea bag
• 1 cup (240 ml) hot water, 175°F / 80°C

Sweetener & Citrus

• 3/4 cup (180 ml) lemonade, heated to 160–170°F / 71–77°C
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey (add more or less to taste)
• 1–2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Optional Soothers & Garnish

• 1 thin lemon wheel or twist
• 1 fresh mint sprig
• Pinch of ground ginger or a few slices of fresh ginger

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Warm your mug

Rinse a large heatproof mug with hot tap water to preheat it. This helps the beverage stay hotter longer and protects delicate tea aromas.

Step 2: Heat water to the right temperature

Heat 1 cup (240 ml) water to 175°F / 80°C. If you do not have a thermometer, bring water just to a simmer, then let it sit 2 minutes to cool slightly. Using water that is too hot can make the mint green tea taste bitter.

Step 3: Steep the peach and mint teas

Pour the 175°F water into the warm mug. Add 1 peach herbal tea bag and 1 mint green tea bag. Cover the mug with a small plate or saucer and steep for 3 minutes. For a stronger peach note, remove the green tea bag at 3 minutes and let the peach herbal bag steep 1–2 minutes more (total 4–5 minutes). Remove bags and gently squeeze once to capture flavorful drips.

Step 4: Warm the lemonade

In a small saucepan (or microwave-safe cup), heat 3/4 cup (180 ml) lemonade until steaming—160–170°F / 71–77°C. Do not boil; keeping it below a simmer preserves fresh citrus character.

Step 5: Sweeten the tea

Stir 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey into the steeped tea until fully dissolved. The honey should melt easily in the hot tea; keep stirring until the cup is clear and glossy.

Step 6: Blend in the hot lemonade

Pour the hot lemonade into the honeyed tea and stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness with a touch more honey if desired.

Step 7: Brighten and serve

Add 1–2 tsp fresh lemon juice for a lively finish. Garnish with a thin lemon wheel and a sprig of mint. Sip while steamy-warm.

Pro Tips

• Temperature matters: 175°F water keeps green tea smooth, not bitter.
• Cover your mug while steeping to trap delicate peach and mint aromatics.
• If using bottled lemonade, choose one with real lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Honey dissolves best before the lemonade goes in—add it while the tea is hottest.
• For extra soothing notes, steep a few slices of fresh ginger with the tea bags.

Variations

• Caffeine-Free: Use peppermint or spearmint herbal tea instead of mint green tea; steep 4–5 minutes.
• Ginger-Lemon Boost: Add 4–5 thin ginger slices to the mug during steeping and 1 extra teaspoon lemon juice.
• Iced Medicine Ball: Brew the teas strong with 3/4 cup (180 ml) hot water for 5 minutes, dissolve honey, add 3/4 cup (180 ml) chilled lemonade, then pour over ice.

Storage & Make-Ahead

For quick cups all week, make a small concentrate: dissolve 1/2 cup (120 ml) honey in 1 cup (240 ml) hot lemonade (about 170°F), cool, and refrigerate up to 1 week. To serve, brew the teas as directed, then stir in 2–3 tbsp of the honey-lemon concentrate to taste. Prepared tea is best fresh; if needed, refrigerate leftovers up to 24 hours and rewarm gently.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values: 140 calories; 0 g fat; 0 g protein; 37 g carbohydrates; 34–36 g sugars; sodium ~10 mg; caffeine ~25–35 mg (varies by tea brand and steep time).