Starbucks's Secret Menu Item Could Cure Your Cold

Here's yet another excuse to spend money at Starbucks: Their longtime secret menu item the "Medicine Ball" could be just the thing you need to help cure your cold. Sure, you could whip up a trendy mug of golden milk or resort to trying a homeopathic flu remedy — but throwing down a little extra cash at America's favorite coffee chain might sound more up your alley.

The Medicine Ball has been on Starbuck's "secret menu" for years, even making a brief appearance among the chain's officially printed menu options. Fans of the beverage swear by its ability to alleviate cold symptoms and clear the run from any stuffy nose.

 

It involves quite a large dose of sugar — though not as much as some of Starbucks' worse-for-you lattes — along with two types of sinus-clearing tea.

Here's their full ingredient list:

  • 1 venti cup with half hot water and half steamed lemonade
  • 1 bag of Teavana Jade Citrus Mint Tea
  • 1 bag of Teavana Peach Tranquility Tea
  • Packet of honey
  • Pump of peppermint (optional)

Whether or not you believe it can actually cure your cold depends on your faith in urban legends — but for $4 to $5 a cup, it might be worth a try.

After seeing the success of the rumored illness elixir, Starbucks is expanding upon its wellness repertoire with a few on-the-menu options. Teavana is trying on four new "Wellness Teas" for size, boasting of their warming scents and revitalizing blends.

The teas debuting include Teavana Citrus Defender, Teavana Defense Wellness Tea, Teavana Comfort Wellness Tea, and Teavana Rev Up Wellness Tea.

The Teavana Citrus Defender is similar to the "Medicine Ball," but replaces one of the teas with sweetened lemonade for an extra boost of Vitamin C — and sugar. For an ultimate guide to ordering from Starbucks's secret menu, click here.