Otherwise known as the cold buster — the Starbucks “medicine ball.” Yes, that one.
This is my take on the Starbucks medicine ball. I’m a little obsessed with it — who comes up with these combos? I’ve been thinking about what crazy coffee creation we could invent and try to sneak onto the secret menu. (Bacon coffee? Kidding.)
A quick search shows the basic components. The ingredients are simple, but at the time I didn’t have them on hand. I was desperate — I’d ordered one and they were out, which felt like a tragedy.
We managed to make it through most of winter without many illnesses, and I’m grateful for that. Still, the last few weeks were rough: colds and coughs circulated through our house. I woke up last week with a sinus infection right before my book tour, and I did not want to fly feeling awful.
Here’s my version of the medicine ball. I skip the peppermint syrup most of the time — I sometimes add it when I order it out, but at home I avoid strong peppermint while nursing and prefer it without. The mint tea already gives plenty of cool, refreshing flavor.
I’m not generally a tea person, but this one I love. It’s easy to drink — unlike many teas that taste like dirt to me — probably because the base is steamed lemonade and water. The lemonade adds sweetness and brightness so you don’t need much else.
For the teas, use one minty tea and one peachy tea. I used a refreshing mint blend and a peach tea — together they strike a nice balance. Since I skip peppermint syrup, I like to add freshly grated ginger for warmth and spice.
I’ll admit I was so desperate last week I actually chewed raw garlic and ginger — many readers swear by that approach. I couldn’t do it continuously, so I spread Manuka honey on a cracker, added chopped garlic and a heap of fresh ginger. Not pleasant, but it helped. I also used an elderberry syrup, which made me feel better fast.
I made a big batch of this tonic for photos and then kept drinking it. It’s possibly the tea I finally enjoy regularly. It’s cozy, bright, and soothing — perfect when you need something to calm a scratchy throat or chilly sinuses.
Ginger Honey Tea Tonic
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups lemonade
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 bags mint tea
- 2 bags peach tea
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or more
- 1 lemon wedge or slice for garnish
Instructions
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Bring the lemonade and water to a gentle boil in a kettle or saucepan. Place the tea bags and the grated ginger in separate mugs or a large pitcher, then pour the hot lemonade-water over them to steep. Steep for about 5 minutes, remove the tea bags, and stir in the honey.
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Garnish with a lemon slice and enjoy warm.
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I appreciate you so much!
And yes — I might just drizzle honey like that every time.