Last fall, a new drink off the Starbucks secret menu — the Medicine Ball — gained buzz for its ~restorative cold-fighting powers~ and delicious sweet, minty taste.
The beverage, also known as the Cold Buster, is made of equal parts steamed lemonade and water + one bag of Jade Citrus Mint Tea + one bag of Peach Tranquility + a packet of honey + an optional pump of mint syrup.
It sounds pretty delicious, but we wanted to know: Does it ACTUALLY have throat-soothing abilities? We ventured to our nearest Starbucks location to find out.
Our first discovery was that the drink isn't actually listed on the displayed menu juuuust yet, so if you order it in the next few weeks, you may be met with some confused faces.
Ordering was nonetheless pretty easy, as the manager behind the bar knew exactly what drink we were talking about and how to make it. For two Medicine Balls (one with peppermint, one without), the total came to $6.97.
Here's what it looked like:
The drink doesn't come with honey (part of the recipe), so to complete it, you have to grab one of the free packets at the store and squeeze it in yourself.
And the moment of truth: Michelle tried the Medicine Ball WITH the peppermint, and thought it tasted just like a Ricola. 🍯
Kevin tried it without peppermint and thought it was refreshing, but he wished he'd gotten the peppermint!
We also consulted with Dr. Margarita Rohr from the NYU Langone Medical Center, who added that the Medicine Ball's honey and menthol content might help with congestion and sore throats.
"I believe that drinking warm drinks with honey can be soothing specifically if one is suffering symptoms of sore throat and hoarse voice. Honey may also have some antimicrobial properties that may help fight off the cold," said Dr. Rohr. "Additionally, menthol (found in mint) may help clear nasal passages temporarily and can have a cooling effect."
TL;DR: Get the Medicine Ball (WITH mint syrup) for a brief and tasty reprieve from your congestion, but don't expect it to actually cure you.
If and when you're ready to try a Cold Buster, Starbucks has the following tips for ordering:
"Customers may order a Honey Citrus Mint Tea, and our recommended recipe is: in a hot cup, add a bag of Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea and a bag of Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea. Add half hot water and half steamed lemonade. Add a packet of honey and an optional pump of peppermint. As always, if customers would like to personalize their beverage, Starbucks baristas will craft the drink to their specific taste preferences."