You know the Starbucks Medicine Ball (aka Cold Buster, aka Honey Citrus Mint Tea) . The drink which some say has curative properties.

The drink began on the “secret” menu after a customer custom-ordered it to boost their immune system. A good immune system is key in preventing sickness and quickly recovering from a sickness. 

But before you run to Starbucks to order your medicine ball, there is an important piece of information you should know…

The Real Starbucks “Medicine” Ball Is Loaded With Sugar

The Starbucks’ “medicine” ball uses lemonade which is full of unnatural sugar. How much sugar? 30 grams of sugar are in this drink. That is nearly a full day’s worth in a single serving [source]. Sugar is bad for your immune system. WebMd tells us why: “Eating or drinking too much sugar curbs immune system cells that attack bacteria” [source]. This effect lasts for at least a few hours after downing a couple of sugary drinks.

If you want to help your immune system or get over a sickness faster, mind your sugar intake. Good news, our version of the Medicine Ball is free of unnatural sugars.

Also See: Best Immunity Boosting Food & Vitamins

Starbucks Medicine Ball Made Healthy

Let’s leave in the good stuff and substitute the bad. This version of the Medicine Ball will give you a much better shot at improving your immune system than the original Medicine Sugar Ball. 

Here are the ingredients you need:

Starbucks medicine ball alternative

DIY Starbucks Medicine Ball (Sugar Free)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

The Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea minus unnatural sugars for full immunity-boosting effects.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Boil 14oz (1.75 cups) of water
  2. Juice one lemon (2oz or .25 cups)
  3. Pour boiled water and Lemon Juice over Green Tea Bag and Peach Tea Bag. Steep for 4 minutes.
  4. Add honey to taste. (Use stevia drops to taste as a sugar-free option)

Notes

For a budget-friendly version be sure to use these cheaper tea alternatives:

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 169Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 5gNet Carbohydrates: 3.5gFiber: 1.6gSugar: 1.5gSugar Alcohols: .1gProtein: 3g

Calculated for stevia drops, not honey.

Tips to Save Money with a DIY Starbucks Medicine Ball

1. Buy Your Tea Cheap on Amazon

While a lot of people rave about the efficacy of the Starbucks medicine ball, do you know it requires relatively few ingredients? The main ingredients, Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea and the Teavana Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea, can be purchased through Amazon at a savings?

You can save even more money if you buy generic green tea and generic peach tea. Remember to forego the sugary lemonade.

Check out the Tea Options on Amazon here:

Also See: 5 Amazon Hacks Every Prime Member Should Know

2. Buy Discounted Stevia or Honey on Thrive Market

You will also need honey or stevia to sweeten your drink. Stevia is a natural sugar-free sweetner. Honey is nature’s sweetener.

Honey does not raise your blood sugar levels as much as unnatural sugar. It has more nutrients and is packed with amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, minerals and vitamins. It acts as a cough suppressant and provides allergy relief. Thrive Market stocks a variety of stevias and honeys, and they’re dye-free, color-free, non-GMO and preservative-free.

Try Thrive Market free for 30 days. Thanks to Thrive Market’s wholesale pricing, the average member saves $30 per order.

3. Save More With the Ibotta App

Serious savers savor the savings with Ibotta. The free Ibotta app saved its users more than $186 million in grocery shopping rewards in 2019. 

If you want to purchase the medicine ball ingredients at your local grocery store, download Ibotta.

Want to hear even more ways Ibotta can save you money? Check out our Ibotta explainer video, here!

Try the free Ibotta App here to claim your $20 Ibotta welcome bonus.

4. Save Money on Amazon With CapitalOne Shopping

If you end up shopping Amazon for the savings and convenience, do yourself a big favor and get CapitalOne Shopping. CapitalOne Shopping automatically applies valid coupon codes to your amazon order to make sure you get a great price for stuff you buy on Amazon.

CapitalOne Shopping will keep you from feeling sick because you paid too much. Get the free CapitalOne Shopping browser extension here.

 

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