Want to save some money but enjoy the immune system boosting effects of the popular Starbucks medicine ball brew? Well, then you have come to the right place! Here is a step by step guide on how to make medicine ball tea from the comfort of your own home.
Let's get started!
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If you were to order a medicine ball tea at Starbucks, your barista may not know what you mean. This is because on the Starbucks menu it is listed as a Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
This hot tea drink actually began as a customer creation. Word spread about this delicious and restorative drink and it quickly became a sensation, especially during cold and flu season. Eventually, Starbucks decided to add it to the main menu and it has been there ever since!
Now, what's in the Starbucks medicine ball tea? Well, this is what it officially consists of:
Here is a list of ingredients that you will need:
As you will have noticed in the ingredient list above, I have mentioned Teavana tea bags for this copycat Starbucks medicine ball recipe. This is because these are the tea bags that Starbucks uses. Therefore, these will help you to get the most authentic flavor.
Not to mention, you also get all the flavors that you need with these two tea bags, saving you the trouble of trying to mix and match.
If you can't or don't want to use these blends, that's fine. Look for green tea that is infused with notes of mint. The Starbucks version contains spearmint, lemon verbena, and lemongrass. Choose teas with similar flavors.
Or, look for each flavor independently. Just make sure to follow the instructions for each one to get the best flavors.
If you find that you have to use several different tea bag brands, then brew the tea in a pan or bowl. Once steeped, pour it into your mug.
The Teavana peach tranquility tea in the original Starbucks medicine ball tea is a little bit more difficult to mimic. It contains notes of peach, candied pineapple, chamomile flowers, and lemon verbena. However, regular herbal peach tea is a good enough replacement.
1 serving
Heat water according to teabag instructions or just until it begins to boil. Pour into a mug.
If you have an espresso machine, use the steam wand to make steamed lemonade. Steam for a few minutes until the drink is hot and frothy.
Pour into the same mug as the hot water and stir.
In case you don't have a steam wand, you can pour the water and the lemonade into a small pan. Heat until the liquid begins to simmer. Take off heat.
Steep the tea bags in the lemon water. For the Teavana Jade Citrus mint tea, only leave the bag in for two minutes. For Peach Tranquility, remove after five minutes time.
If using green tea, remove the tea bags after 30 seconds to a minute or your drink may become too bitter.
Pour in the honey and stir until all the honey is combined. If you prefer a less sweet brew, then start with a teaspoon of honey, stir, and taste. Then add or leave alone as desired.
Here are some top guidelines to consider for this recipe:
In this drink recipe, there have been two different steeping times mentioned. This is due to the presence of green tea. It is a delicate tea and its flavors are extracted quickly. Leave this tea in hot water for too long and it turns bitter.
Now, according to the Teavana teabag instructions, the Jade Citrus Mint tea can be steeped for two minutes. If using a regular green tea mint bag, though, you should stick to about a minute.
Herbal teas are a lot more hardy, however. This is why Teavana teas recommend keeping in the bag for up to 5 minutes at a time. If you are using a regular peach flavored tea, then follow the instructions provided by the brand.
There is no denying that the steamed lemonade makes all the difference with this copycat Starbucks medicine ball tea. Therefore, making an effort to get it just right can go a long way.
As mentioned, a steam wand will give you the best results. If you don't have one, though, you can still create a similar effect.
Start by heating the liquid until you get hot lemonade - it should be slightly steaming. Then, you can use a French Press, a frother, or an electric whisk. Use one of these devices to whip up the lemonade until it is nice and frothy.
Add this to the brewed drink and stir until combined.
Want to boost the strength of your Starbucks medicine ball tea? Then, you have two options. You can either reduce the amount of water you are using or increase the number of teabags.
If you reduce the amount of water, your drink will naturally be smaller. You will also need to lower the amount of lemonade as well.
Or, you can simply double up on how much tea you are using. Just remember to use the proper steep times for each drink.
Here are a few additional tactics that you can try for this hot tea drink:
The easiest way to whip up this copycat Starbucks medicine ball tea is to use store bought lemonade. Just make sure to use a concentrated version. And, if you want a healthier drink, opt for a sugar free lemonade.
The only issue is that water and lemonade can lead to a slightly weaker flavor. If you enjoy a stronger taste of lemon in your Starbucks medicine ball tea, then you may want to consider using lemon juice instead. The lemons deliver a stronger tang.
Also, lemons are healthier - they contain vitamin C, can soothe a sore throat and will be a far better aid during colder months.
Start with half a juiced lemon and add water as needed. Since this concoction can be a bit more sour, you may want to add more honey to taste.
If you check out the original Starbucks medicine ball tea recipe, you will find that baristas use a honey blend. This blend contains various ingredients, but you can create a simpler version.
Add a bit of warm water to your local honey to thin it out. This makes it easier for the honey to mix in with the drink. You may need to use more of this sweetener in your drink, though.
This medicine ball tea is pretty perfect as it is, but if you want to spice it up a bit, add peppermint syrup. This can make the drink even more refreshing and even add a touch of sweetness.
You don't have to use peppermint syrup - if you don't have any on hand, peppermint extract will work just as well. Just remember that peppermint extract can be rather strong. As such, add a single drop, stir well, and taste.
If you wish to add more, add drop by drop. Tasting after every addition.
There is a great deal of hype regarding medicine ball tea. Here is what you should be aware of:
If you are planning on whipping up a batch during cold and flu season, then you want to know with certainty what this medicine ball tea can do for you. Is it really a cold buster? Can it help to ward off a sore throat and ailments?
Well, there is no proof that the Honey Citrus Mint Tea or your homemade version will actually keep illnesses at bay.
Well, green tea and herbal brews are good for you and may have immune boosting properties, depending on the blend that you choose. At the same time, lemon juice has vitamin C and is great for the common cold. Honey also has antibacterial properties.
In short, if you use good quality ingredients, this tea may help to a certain degree. At the very least, it will warm you up and make you feel good.
So, there you have it - you now know how to make this medicine ball tea at home. It is fairly easy once you know the ingredients and the method. With a little bit of practice, you will be able to recreate it for yourself in no time at all!
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