Quick Answer
The Starbucks Medicine Ball (officially Honey Citrus Mint Tea) contains 130 calories in a Grande, 100 calories in a Tall, and 180 calories in a Venti. Most calories come from honey (~60 cal) and steamed lemonade (~50 cal). A Grande has 30g of sugar and 0g of fat. To cut calories, ask for half the honey or no lemonade.
The Starbucks Medicine Ball became one of the most searched drinks on the menu after going viral as a cold remedy. Now officially listed as Honey Citrus Mint Tea, it combines two herbal teas, steamed lemonade, and honey into a warm, soothing drink. This guide covers the exact calorie and nutrition data for every size, every customization, and how it compares to other Starbucks tea drinks.
Starbucks Medicine Ball Calories by Size
The Medicine Ball is available in four sizes. Calorie counts below are for the standard recipe with full honey and steamed lemonade.
| Size | Fluid Oz | Calories | Sugar | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short | 8 oz | 80 cal | 19g | 21g |
| Tall | 12 oz | 100 cal | 23g | 26g |
| Grande | 16 oz | 130 cal | 30g | 33g |
| Venti | 20 oz | 180 cal | 42g | 46g |
The Grande is the most popular size. At 130 calories it is significantly lighter than most Starbucks hot drinks — a standard Latte Grande has 190 calories and a Caramel Macchiato has 250 calories.
Full Nutrition Facts — Medicine Ball Grande
| Nutrient | Amount (Grande) | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 130 cal | — |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | — |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 10mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 33g | 12% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars | 30g | — |
| Added Sugars | 17g | 34% |
| Protein | 0g | 0% |
| Caffeine | ~16mg | — |
| Vitamin C | ~15mg | 17% |
The Medicine Ball is entirely fat-free and has virtually no protein. All calories come from carbohydrates — mostly sugar from the honey and lemonade. For complete nutrition data on all Starbucks beverages, see the official menu at starbucks.com/menu.
What Is in the Starbucks Medicine Ball?
The Medicine Ball has four ingredients, all combined in a specific sequence:
- Jade Citrus Mint brewed tea — a green tea blend with spearmint, lemon verbena, and lemongrass. Starbucks uses half a cup (8 oz in a Grande) steeped from tea bags.
- Peach Tranquility herbal tea — a caffeine-free blend with peach, chamomile, rose hips, and pineapple. Also half a cup in a Grande.
- Steamed lemonade — Starbucks lemonade (water, lemon juice, sugar, lemon oil) steamed hot. This adds most of the tartness and about 50 calories.
- Honey — one packet (~21g) per Grande, contributing roughly 60 calories and a smooth sweetness.
The drink contains no milk, no dairy, no syrups from the standard syrup pump system, and no espresso. It is naturally vegan (honey aside) and gluten-free.
Why Is It Called the Medicine Ball?
The “Medicine Ball” nickname came from customers who began ordering this combination as a home remedy for colds and sore throats — the warm steam, menthol from the mint tea, vitamin C from lemon, and soothing honey made it feel medicinal. The drink spread on social media around 2016 and became so popular that baristas knew how to make it from the name alone before it was officially on the menu.
Starbucks added it to the official menu in 2017 under the name Honey Citrus Mint Tea, but customers still call it the Medicine Ball and most baristas recognize both names. It is now a permanent menu item listed under Hot Teas.
Does the Medicine Ball Actually Help with Colds?
The Medicine Ball is not a medically proven cold treatment, but its ingredients offer real physiological benefits that align with why people feel better after drinking it:
- Hot liquid: Warm fluids thin mucus and relieve nasal congestion. The temperature effect is the same whether you drink tea, broth, or warm water.
- Menthol (mint tea): Spearmint creates a cooling sensation that temporarily relieves congestion and soothes an irritated throat. It does not kill viruses but does reduce discomfort.
- Lemon: Provides vitamin C (~15mg per Grande), which supports immune function but does not cure or shorten a cold.
- Honey: Has mild antimicrobial properties and coats the throat. Several studies show honey is more effective than over-the-counter cough medicines for soothing throat irritation in adults.
- Hydration: Staying hydrated is the most evidence-backed behavior for managing cold symptoms. The Medicine Ball encourages drinking warm fluids.
Bottom line: The Medicine Ball will not cure a cold, but it is a genuinely soothing drink with ingredients that provide real comfort during illness. It is also low in calories and caffeine, making it suitable at any time of day.
Medicine Ball Caffeine Content
The Medicine Ball has very low caffeine — approximately 16mg per Grande. This comes exclusively from the Jade Citrus Mint green tea. The Peach Tranquility tea is caffeine-free.
For comparison, a Grande Starbucks drip coffee has 310mg of caffeine, and even a Grande green tea latte has 80mg. The Medicine Ball is appropriate for people avoiding caffeine, late-night consumption, and children (with parental discretion on honey for children over 12 months).
How to Reduce Calories in the Medicine Ball
The standard recipe has 130 calories (Grande). Here are the most effective ways to cut calories:
| Modification | Calories Saved | New Total (Grande) |
|---|---|---|
| Half honey (1/2 packet) | ~30 cal | ~100 cal |
| No honey | ~60 cal | ~70 cal |
| No lemonade (water only) | ~50 cal | ~80 cal |
| Half honey + no lemonade | ~80 cal | ~50 cal |
| No honey + no lemonade | ~110 cal | ~20 cal |
| Add a pump sugar-free syrup instead of honey | ~55 cal | ~75 cal |
The lowest-calorie version — no honey, hot water instead of lemonade — is essentially a blended Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility tea at about 20 calories. You lose the soothing sweetness but retain all the herbal benefits.
Medicine Ball vs Other Starbucks Hot Tea Drinks
| Drink (Grande) | Calories | Caffeine | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine Ball (Honey Citrus Mint Tea) | 130 cal | 16mg | 30g |
| Chai Tea Latte | 240 cal | 95mg | 42g |
| London Fog Tea Latte | 180 cal | 40mg | 30g |
| Matcha Tea Latte | 240 cal | 80mg | 32g |
| Plain brewed green tea | 0 cal | 25mg | 0g |
| Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte | 180 cal | 40mg | 28g |
| Peach Tranquility (plain) | 0 cal | 0mg | 0g |
Among hot drinks with sweetener and texture, the Medicine Ball is one of the lightest options on the menu. For more low-calorie comparisons, see our top 10 low-calorie Starbucks drinks guide.
How to Order the Starbucks Medicine Ball
You can order by either name — “Medicine Ball” and “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” both work at any Starbucks location. The Starbucks app lists it as Honey Citrus Mint Tea under Hot Teas.
Standard order: “Can I get a Grande Honey Citrus Mint Tea, please?”
Low-calorie version: “Grande Honey Citrus Mint Tea with half a honey packet and light lemonade.”
Extra soothing: “Grande Honey Citrus Mint Tea, extra honey, and a pump of sugar-free vanilla.”
Iced version: Ask for it iced — the barista will combine both teas, lemonade, and honey over ice. This is not on the standard menu but any Starbucks can make it. Calories are approximately the same as the hot version.
Is the Starbucks Medicine Ball Healthy?
By most nutritional standards, the Medicine Ball is one of the healthier options at Starbucks for people who want something warm and sweet:
- Zero fat: No dairy, no cream, no oils.
- Zero protein: Not a protein source, but also not adding unwanted macros.
- Low caffeine: 16mg versus 310mg in drip coffee — suitable at night or for caffeine-sensitive individuals.
- Moderate sugar: 30g in a Grande is significant — roughly equal to 7 teaspoons of sugar. This is the main nutritional concern. Most comes from honey and lemonade, both of which have high natural sugar content.
- Some antioxidants: Green tea and herbal teas contain polyphenols and flavonoids with antioxidant properties.
Compared to a Caramel Macchiato (250 cal, 33g sugar, 7g fat) or a Pumpkin Spice Latte (380 cal, 50g sugar, 14g fat), the Medicine Ball is considerably lighter. Compared to plain unsweetened tea (0 calories), it is a sugary treat. Use our Starbucks calorie calculator to find the exact nutrition for your customized version.
Medicine Ball for Specific Diets
Intermittent Fasting
The standard Medicine Ball (130 cal) breaks intermittent fasting. If you are fasting, order it without honey and without lemonade — the two plain teas blended contain approximately 0 to 5 calories and are fasting-compatible.
Keto / Low-Carb
The standard recipe has 33g of carbs — too high for strict keto. Order with no lemonade, no honey, and add a pump of sugar-free syrup instead. This version has approximately 5 calories and 1g of carbs.
Vegan
Honey is technically an animal product, so the standard recipe is not vegan by strict definition. Order without honey and substitute with a pump of sugar-free vanilla syrup or agave (ask your barista — some locations carry agave) to keep it plant-based.
Diabetic / Low-Sugar
The standard recipe’s 30g of sugar is problematic for blood glucose management. Ordering without honey and without lemonade reduces this to near-zero sugar. For a sweet alternative, use one pump of sugar-free syrup (~0g sugar).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a Starbucks Medicine Ball?
A Grande Starbucks Medicine Ball (Honey Citrus Mint Tea) has 130 calories. A Tall has 100 calories and a Venti has 180 calories.
What is the Starbucks Medicine Ball made of?
The Medicine Ball is made with Jade Citrus Mint brewed tea, Peach Tranquility herbal tea, steamed lemonade, and one honey packet. It contains no dairy, no espresso, and no added syrups.
Does the Starbucks Medicine Ball have caffeine?
Yes, but very little — approximately 16mg per Grande. This comes only from the Jade Citrus Mint green tea. The Peach Tranquility herbal tea is caffeine-free. For comparison, a Grande drip coffee has 310mg.
Is the Medicine Ball on the Starbucks menu?
Yes. It is officially listed as “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” under Hot Teas on the Starbucks menu and app. Ordering by either name works at any Starbucks location.
How much sugar is in the Starbucks Medicine Ball?
A Grande Medicine Ball has 30g of total sugar, of which 17g are added sugars. Most sugar comes from the honey packet and steamed lemonade.
Can you get the Medicine Ball iced?
Yes. Ask for the Honey Citrus Mint Tea iced. The barista will combine both teas and lemonade over ice with honey. It is not listed as a separate menu item but can be made at any location. Calories are approximately the same as the hot version.
Is the Medicine Ball vegan?
Not strictly — it contains honey, which is an animal product. Ask for no honey and substitute agave or a sugar-free syrup to make it fully vegan.
Does the Starbucks Medicine Ball help with colds?
It is not a medical treatment, but it provides real comfort: warm liquid thins mucus, spearmint soothes throat irritation, lemon provides vitamin C, and honey has mild antimicrobial properties. It will not cure a cold but may make symptoms more tolerable.
How many calories are in a Tall Medicine Ball?
A Tall (12 oz) Starbucks Medicine Ball has 100 calories, 23g of sugar, and 0g of fat.
What is the lowest-calorie way to order the Medicine Ball?
Order a Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility tea blend with no honey and hot water instead of lemonade. This version has approximately 0 to 5 calories while preserving the herbal tea flavor.
