Starbucks Medicine Ball Discontinued. No, the Medicine Ball has not been discontinued. It’s just got a new name now – they call it the ‘Honey Citrus Mint Tea’ at Starbucks. You can ask for it by that name when you’re in the store or using the Starbucks app. They changed the title in 2021 to make things simpler.
But here’s the thing: even though some folks liked the old name, Starbucks decided to stick with the new one. They wanted to make things easier for their workers. So, even though you won’t see ‘Medicine Ball’ on the menu, you can still enjoy it as the ‘Honey Citrus Mint Tea.’
Will it ever come back with the old name? Well, who knows? If a lot of people want it, or if things change, Starbucks might think about it. But for now, it’s like a special drink that had its time on the menu.
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Starbucks Customers Were Upset Over Discontinued Medicine Ball
Starbucks customers got really upset when the medicine ball suddenly disappeared from stores in 2021. People who loved this drink were not happy about it. They used to rely on it when they had a cold, and it made them feel better.
The loyal customers felt let down and frustrated. It messed up their daily routines and made it harder to treat their sickness.
Some people loved the special way the medicine ball made them feel better. Others thought Starbucks was being a bit mean by taking away something nice, especially during the cold season when people get sick.
Not everyone was mad, though. Some people understood that Starbucks needed to make things simpler. But most of the fans were sad to see their favourite drink go.
The Secret of Starbucks’ Medicine Ball Drink
At Starbucks, there was this cool drink called the Medicine Ball, but it wasn’t officially on the menu. It was like a secret drink that mixed hot tea, lemonade, and honey. People would order it by saying ‘medicine ball’ or asking for a ‘honey citrus mint tea.’ Baristas knew the recipe, even though it could be a bit different depending on where you ordered it.
Some say a barista made it up to help with a sore throat, using tea, lemon, and honey. It became famous for making you feel better when you had a cold and needed some extra vitamin C. Even though it wasn’t on the menu, lots of people loved ordering the ‘medicine ball.’ It was like being part of a special club. It got so popular that blogs and news talked about it. Starbucks let it happen for a while, but then something changed. Now, it is recognized by the new name “Honey Citrus Mint Tea”.
What Product Did Starbucks Discontinue?
Starbucks made a sneaky change that upset many fans: no more bananas! People love grabbing a banana for a quick and healthy snack, and it was cheap at just one dollar. Even though Starbucks didn’t officially announce it, a company rep said they ditched bananas in May 2022 because they weren’t selling well. Some Starbucks workers were happy about it, saying they often ended up throwing away most of the bananas. If you’re still looking for a healthy option at Starbucks, try the Rolled and Steel Cut Oatmeal Cups or the Berry Trio Parfait, both with lots of protein and fibre.
Why Did Starbucks Discontinue Medicine Balls?
In 2021, Starbucks suddenly told its coffee makers not to whip up medicine balls anymore when people ordered them. They told customers it was gone. People got really confused and mad – why did this popular feel-good drink disappear?
Here’s why
- Brand Mix-up: The name’ medicine ball’ didn’t match Starbucks’ style. It was like having something that didn’t belong. Starbucks wanted to keep things simple.
- Not Enough Money: Secret menu drinks like the medicine ball used lots of ingredients but cost less than regular drinks. That made Starbucks earn less money, so they decided to ditch it.
- Not Enough Stuff: Starbucks said they had trouble getting lemons and honey, the important ingredients. Instead of dealing with the shortage, they decided to stop making medicine balls.
- Too Much Work: Making the honey citrus mint tea for the medicine ball took time. Starbucks didn’t want to slow things down, especially when they didn’t have enough workers.
- Upsetting Customers: Sometimes, people got upset when they ordered a medicine ball, and it wasn’t the same everywhere. Starbucks wanted to avoid that by keeping things the same in every store.
- Legal Stuff: Calling something ‘medicine’ in a food or drink name could cause trouble. Starbucks didn’t want to get into problems by saying it had special health powers.
Does Starbucks Still Make Medicine Ball?
Yes, Starbucks still makes medicine balls. You can get a Medicine Ball at Starbucks using the app. What you have to do is:
- Pick the “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” from the menu. Even though lots of people call it a “medicine ball,” that’s its official name on the menu. You can find it in the “Hot Teas” section, between “Matcha Tea Latte” and “Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea.”
- Choose the size you want – it comes in short, tall, grande, and venti. If you’re in the store, you might get a bigger size called Trenta, but that’s not on the app.
- If you want to change things up, hit the “Customize” button. You can adjust the lemonade and honey or add more tea bags. Some changes might cost extra.
- Order your drink. You can either pick it up yourself or get someone else to grab it for you. If you want it delivered, use apps like DoorDash, GrubHub, or UberEATS.
To order it in person
Ask for a “medicine ball” or “Honey Citrus Mint Tea.” It’s known both ways, and the barista will get what you mean. Tell them the size you want and any extras, like more lemonade or honey. If you wish, you can add things like peppermint syrup or cinnamon powder. They’re used to hearing “medicine ball,” so no worries!
Is Starbucks Medicine Ball Worth It?
Yes, the Starbucks Medicine Ball is worth it. It helps with sore throats by soothing and coating your throat with warm honey and citrus. It gives temporary relief when your throat feels bad. The mix of mint green tea and peach tea in the drink has antioxidants and Vitamin C.
These are good for your immune system, which helps your body fight off sickness. That’s why a lot of people like it when they have a cold – it gives them a boost.
The mint green tea also has things that can help with inflammation. This is good for people with health issues like arthritis or stomach problems where inflammation is a problem.
How do you make a medicine ball at home like Starbucks?
If you want to make your own Starbucks Medicine Ball tea at home, here’s how you can do it:
- Use one bag of Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea and one bag of Teavana Peach Tranquility tea. Put them in 12 ounces of hot water.
- Get a big mug and add eight to 12 ounces of warm lemonade. You can warm it on the stove or mix room-temperature lemonade with hot tea water.
- Put some honey in the mug.
- You can also make the Medicine Ball in the microwave.
Ingredients you need
- Get eight ounces of lemonade, eight ounces of water, one tablespoon of honey, one Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea bag, and one Teavana Peach Tranquility tea bag.
- Put the lemonade and water in a microwavable mug and heat it for 60 seconds until it’s hot.
- Mix in the honey and let the tea steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Change the recipe a bit. To have less sugar, use less lemonade or try True Lemon Lemonade. To make it healthier, add lemon juice or peel, fresh mint, or turmeric for less inflammation and a boost to your immune system.
Cold Remedy Drinks at Other Coffee Spots
Some other coffee places still have their versions of a cold remedy drink with honey, lemon, and tea:
- Peet’s Coffee: They make a drink called Medicine Ball with citrus green tea and honey.
- Dutch Bros: They have something called Coho Cooler with lemonade, honey, and black tea.
- Dunkin’ Donuts: Dunkin’ has a Power Tea with green tea and honey.
- Caribou Coffee: They do a Caribou Cold Toddy with lemonade, honey, and green tea.
But not all places might have these drinks, and even if they do, the workers might decide not to make them anymore. It’s a bit like asking for something that’s not on the official menu – you might get it, or you might not!
What Can You Buy Instead Of Starbucks Medicine Ball?
Starbucks still has some similar options that give you the goodness of honey, citrus, and tea:
- Hot Lemonade: You can add honey to the lemony hot lemonade for a bit of that medicine ball taste.
- London Fog Latte: This latte with Earl Grey tea, a hint of lemon, and vanilla syrup tries to be like a medicine ball.
- Honey Citrus Mint Tea: This is a regular tea on the menu with lemon verbena, mint, and honey. You can ask for more lemon to get extra vitamin C.
- Honey Lemon Ginger Tea: In the winter, there’s a special tea with honey, lemon, and ginger to help when you have a cold.
The Wrap
Starbucks Medicine Ball has not been discontinued. It is a secret menu item loved for soothing sore throats and boosting immunity. As they are not selling it by the name “Medicine Ball”. They renamed it “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” officially. The beverage was discontinued in 2021, which shocked loyal fans. Starbucks cited menu simplification and labour efficiency as reasons for leaving customers disappointed. Despite the change, enthusiasts can still enjoy its benefits by ordering the “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” through the Starbucks app or in person.
