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If you’re looking for the perfect drink to warm you up and keep your immune system healthy during the winter months, then look no further because this is it! Introducing my Better-For-You Starbucks Medicine Ball Cubes, a simple, easy, and refined sugar-free take on the classic Starbucks Medicine Ball drink. This recipe is made from just 5 simple ingredients, which means it’s perfect for prepping ahead of time so that you can always have this delicious drink ready in a pinch!
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One of my favorite drinks to indulge in, in the wintertime, is the Starbucks Medicine Ball. And I know that I’m not alone! Every winter, people flock to Starbucks to get this drink that’s made from a mixture of mint tea, lemonade, and honey. But while it sounds healthy, the reality is… it’s not as healthy as you’d think. In fact a small Starbucks medicine ball contains over 30 grams of cane sugar!
This recipe removes the refined sugar from the medicine ball and gives it a healthier twist… making it actually live up to the name of medicine ball! Instead of using lemonade, we’re swapping it out for fresh lemons and pairing it with gut-healthy ginger and raw honey for a drink that is perfectly sweet, but without the extra sugars.
This drink is loaded with antioxidants, electrolytes, fiber, and vitamins, which makes it the perfect drink to reach for whether you’re under the weather or are simply looking for a delicious drink to warm you up on a cool day.
The 5 Ingredients Needed to Make This Healthy Cold-Weather Drink
You’ll only need 5 easy ingredients in order to bring this copycat Starbucks recipe to life!
- Lemons: The lemon flavor in this medicine ball is STRONG, and that’s because the traditional Starbucks version contains lemonade. In my version, we’re ditching the lemonade and instead swapping it out for fresh lemons, skin and all!
- Ginger: Raw ginger adds fiber and antioxidants to this medicine ball, and can also help soothe upset tummies.
- Raw Honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness to this medicine ball, and also can have immune-boosting benefits! If you want in on those benefits, be sure to use locally-sourced honey. Farmer’s markets are the best place to find this!
- Coconut Water: Coconut water is not only naturally sweet, but it is also full of electrolytes and potassium to keep you feeling hydrated.
- Mint Tea: To make the actual medicine ball drink, you’ll mix the cubes alongside a brewed cup of mint tea. The best part is, mint tea is non-caffeinated, so you can enjoy this drink as a sweet nightcap.
How to Make This Healthier Medicine Ball Alternative
To make these medicine ball cubes, add the chopped lemons, ginger, raw honey, and coconut water to a blender. Blend until smooth. Next, transfer the blended mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze it overnight.
Once you’re ready to make a medicine ball drink, start by preparing the mint tea. Steep the mint tea in boiling water for 5 minutes. Then, add in two of the medicine ball cubes and stir until they’re melted into the tea. Add in more raw honey and a squeeze of lemon, if desired. Then, serve immediately and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
If you're looking for the perfect drink to warm you up and keep your immune system healthy during the winter months, then look no further because this is it! Introducing my Better-For-You Starbucks Medicine Ball Cubes, a simple, easy, and refined sugar-free take on the classic Starbucks Medicine Ball drink. This recipe is made from just 5 simple ingredients, which means it's perfect for prepping ahead of time so that you can always have this delicious drink ready in a pinch!
Ingredients
- 5 Lemons chopped; be sure to scrub and wash them well
- 1 3-Inch Piece Ginger scrubbed and washed well
- ⅓ Cup Raw Honey
- ½ Cup Coconut Water
- Mint Tea steeped
Instructions
- To make these medicine ball cubes, add the chopped lemons, ginger, raw honey, and coconut water to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Next, transfer the blended mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze it overnight.
- Once you're ready to make a medicine ball drink, start by preparing the mint tea. Steep the mint tea in boiling water for 5 minutes.
- Then, add in two of the medicine ball cubes and stir until they're melted into the tea.
- Add in more raw honey and a squeeze of lemon, if desired. Then, serve immediately and enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
I’d love to see what you made – tag @kalejunkie
in your posts and I’ll re-share!
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WHAT DID YOU THINK?
Rate + Review
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I did strain the mixture as suggested by other reviews. I recommend that step.
As written, some people will enjoy it. I have many friends who enjoy bitter things (coffee, dark chocolate, etc). Knowing myself, I removed as much of the pith as I could. I also added some dry ground turmeric and a little black pepper. One comment asked if the ice cube cooled off the hot tea. If you are using boiling water and steep the tea for 2 minutes, the drink will still be extremely warm. We did have to add more honey to our individual cups. It’s definitely an acquired taste. But by the end of our cup, we agreed it was good. And definitely would be helpful at the onset of flu or cold or before/after a plane ride. I appreciate this recipe being posted online. I don’t visit Starbucks anymore by choice.
First time making these wasn’t that hard.. I see a lot of people are complaining about it being pulpy though so I just strained it and seems to be just fine.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Tarah! Thank you for your review!
Question… The best part of the medicine ball tea is that it’s HOT …if these are essentially healthy ice cubes, do they not make the tea cold quickly? They should lovely, I’m just curious.
Hi, can’t wait to make these. Just for clarification reading your post you say you use lemon skin and all, but in the comments someone asked if we peel lemons and you say yes. Should lemons be peeled or not peeled? Either way thanks for the recipe, can’t wait to try making them.
Hi Jewel! So sorry for the confusion – either one works, it just depends on what your blender can handle.
Do these have to stay in the freezer? How could I go about storing these to give as gifts? I can’t wait to try, thanks for sharing.
I’m embarrassed to ask this but…. should I peel the ginger and lemon?
Hi AC, yes you should!
These are Amazing! I swear by them! I drink with the mint tea or just with hot water! Staple in my house especially at this time of year!
I am so happy to hear that, Angeleigh! Thank you so much for making this recipe – your support means the world!
Coming back to comment twice with an update – I have a horrible cold and was SO glad to have these in my freezer. I used them again in just plain hot water and it’s so nice and soothing to have this so easily available when you’re sick. Make these now – you won’t regret it!
Tricia, I am so happy to hear that this recipe came to the rescue! Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you feel better soon.
I was super excited to make this recipe and made it exactly as written. It was so bitter I could not drink it, even with the extra added honey. Then I strained it hoping that would help but it was still too bitter. I even used organic lemons with a thinner layer of pith. Very disappointed. I guess my taste buds are way different than yours.
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that, Wanda! Perhaps try a little less lemon next time to suit your liking.
There are great! I did remove seeds from the lemons as a personal choice and used plain water not coconut. Even with a vitamix bc these have the rind they are a little pulpy when they melt but you can easily strain your tea if that bothers you. I tried a cube in just hot water and really loved it as is! I plan to make more with turmeric as an immunity boost cube. So great and easy to have on hand when sick, would also make a nice gift for someone.
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Tricia! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving a kind review!
I just made these & popped them into the freezer.
Mine never looked smooth enough so once I blended it, I strained through a very fine mesh strainer & pressed my pulp down into the stainer with a spatula.
These made it very smooth.
Tomorrow the taste test!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this recipe, Robbin! Thank you so much for making it, and please let me know how it turns out for you!
How long would you say these keep for?
I can’t wait to make this recipe!! Where is your ice cube tray from that you’re using in these pictures? I love it!!
Hi Shannon, it’s from Amazon!
How long are these good for in the freezer?
Hi Carly! They should be good for about a month!
I love this recipe.
I am so happy to hear that, Billie! Thank you so much for your review!
Made these twice already! Sharing at a women’s event at our church Friday night (you’ll get credit for the recipe). It’s a go-to in this Midwest freezing weather and feels good to drink something healthy without all the added sugar. Thanks!
I’m so happy to hear this, Danae! Thank you so much for sharing it with your community, it means the world!
Made these last night and just added to my tea, I didn’t blend smooth enough because I have little floaties in my tea. Next time I’ll try using my food processor
Hi Jessica, I definitely recommend trying your food processor next time!
Making these in advance of New Year’s and flu season. My grocery store just started carrying fresh turmeric so I added that and black pepper to the mix! My blender is kinda crappy so I added more coconut water. I was unsure about the whole lemon so I chopped the peel finely and pulled out seeds from the segments, that blended fine. Super pungent and delicious!!
I am so thrilled that you loved this recipe, Jess! Thank you so much for making it and for leaving such a kind review!
What could I use instead of coconut water to which I am allergic?
Hi Kathy, you can use regular water or a low-sugar lemonade, if you’d like.