Medicine Ball Tea Recipe
Steeping a green tea bag alongside a peach-and-herbal or chamomile-mint tea bag in the same hot water pulls out both the gentle caffeine and menthol brightness at once, and stirring in honey and fresh lemon juice after steeping (not during) keeps the honey's flavor from turning bitter and the lemon's vitamin C from breaking down in prolonged heat.
- Prep
- 3 min
- Cook
- 7 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 1
Ingredients
- 1 bag green tea bag (such as Jade Citrus Mint or plain green tea)
- 1 bag chamomile or peach herbal tea bag (such as Peach Tranquility)
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 leaves fresh mint leaves, lightly bruised (optional)
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 71
- Protein
- 0g
- Carbs
- 19g
- Fat
- 0g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
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Instructions
- 1Bring water to a boil, then let it sit off the heat for 1 minute (fully boiling water can scorch delicate green tea and make it taste bitter).
- 2Place the green tea bag and the herbal tea bag together in a large mug.
- 3Pour the hot water over both tea bags and steep for 5 to 7 minutes, pressing the bags gently against the side of the mug once or twice with a spoon.
- 4Remove and discard both tea bags, squeezing out any extra liquid before you toss them.
- 5Stir in the honey until fully dissolved, then stir in the lemon juice.
- 6Add the bruised mint leaves if using and let the mug sit for 1 minute so the mint's aroma infuses before drinking.
Tips & variations
- No peach herbal blend on hand? Plain chamomile or a mint tea bag works nearly as well; the goal is a soft, slightly floral counterpoint to the green tea.
- For a stronger throat-soothing version, add a thin slice of fresh ginger to the mug while steeping.
- Swap honey for a squeeze of agave if making this for someone avoiding honey.
- Double the tea bags and water in a teapot to make a batch for two or three people at once, then divide with fresh honey and lemon per mug.
Storage & reheating
This tea is best brewed fresh and drunk within about 20 minutes, since the mint and lemon flavor fade quickly. If needed, it can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, though the honey and lemon are best added fresh after reheating rather than reheated with the tea.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Pressing the tea bags with a spoon a couple of times during steeping pulls out more flavor without needing to steep longer than 7 minutes, which can turn the green tea bitter.
- A mug with a lid or a small saucer set on top while steeping traps the steam and keeps the tea hotter by the time it's ready to drink.
FAQ
What is medicine ball tea actually made of?
It's a combination of green tea and a peach or chamomile herbal tea steeped together in hot water, then sweetened with honey and brightened with fresh lemon juice; Starbucks sells it as a blend of Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility tea bags.
Does medicine ball tea have caffeine?
Yes, but only a little. The caffeine comes entirely from the green tea bag, which has roughly 25-30 mg of caffeine per cup, since the herbal tea bag is naturally caffeine-free.
Can I make medicine ball tea without honey?
Yes, agave syrup or maple syrup both substitute well in equal amounts and dissolve just as easily into the hot tea.
Why do people drink this tea when they're sick?
The steam and hot liquid help loosen congestion, the honey coats and soothes a scratchy throat, and the vitamin C from the lemon juice adds a small nutritional boost, though it isn't a substitute for medical treatment.
