9 Starbucks drinks I turn to to make a sore throat feel better

1. The Medicine Ball (AKA Honey Citrus Mint Tea)

The medicine ball tea is a my top choice to soothe a sore throat. It’s on the Starbucks secret menu, but it’s the perfect drink to help with fighting that sore throat.

Sometimes I still hear it called Honey Citrus Mint Tea.

The first thing I notice is how the honey, citrus, and mint stay light enough to sip without feeling heavy or syrupy.

Not to mention, it’s delicious! It’s kind of like a hot Arnold Palmer with the combination of tea and steamed lemonade.

I was surprised by how good it was the first time I had it. The name sounded clinical, but the drink itself tasted like a soft, sweet tea with a noticeable peppermint lift.

I like to make the flavor a little more intense, so I usually add a pump of peppermint syrup. It sharpens the mint and gives the drink a clearer finish.

2. Peach Tranquility 

When I want something for a sore throat that isn’t just mint or honey tea, this is the Starbucks drink I think of first.

Containing zero calories, the Peach Tranquility herbal tea is a Starbucks tea that combines peach, candied pineapple, chamomile blossoms, lemon verbena, and rose hips. I find it delicious and calming.

It’s the perfect Starbucks drink with no caffeine, but it’s also warm, soothing, and fruity, with delicate flavors from the rose hips.

If I want it sweeter, I’ll add my own sweeteners or a flavored syrup, but it works well on its own too.

My only real complaint about Peach Tranquility tea is that I used to keep a stash at home for the first hint of a sore throat, and I can’t do that the same way now.

So I mostly think of it as an in-store order now.

3. Mint Majesty 

Another of the best Starbucks drink choices for a sore throat that doesn’t contain any caffeine, the Mint Majesty is great if you’re someone that likes that refreshing and soothing flavor of mint on your taste buds.

I like mint tea because the cooling sensation makes each sip feel less scratchy. The last time I had the flu, it was one of the only drinks I could manage on the first day, so I remember it as simple and tolerable more than anything else.

Even if you’re not a huge fan of mint, however, you might also like the Mint Majesty since it’s a blend of both mint and lemon verbena.

Like any Starbucks drink, you can add flavors, toppings, and sweeteners to this one. I sometimes add a drizzle of honey when I want it a little gentler.

4. Chai Tea 

Chai tea might not be the first thing that comes to mind when I’m thinking of a sore throat, but the bold spice gives my mouth something else to focus on.

When ordered as-is, Starbucks Chai tea is a lighter option than most sweet drinks, which is handy when I’m already living on soup and Gatorade.

As it’s a black tea, it does contain some caffeine, while the warm clove, cardamom, and cinnamon within the Teavana tea bags are both soothing and warming.

The ginger in the tea also adds a warmth I notice more than sweetness, so it often ends up being my go-to when I’m working but feel a cold coming on.

5. Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea 

I’ve noticed the Jade Citrus Mint tea can be harder to find on retail shelves lately, so I pay more attention to whether a store has it before I order.

The Jade Citrus Mint brewed tea isn’t just refreshing; it’s also soothing and has bright tones to it that are far from your normal tea.

This particular citrus mint green tea comes with lemon verbena and lemongrass along with just a hint of spearmint mingle.

With no added sweetener, it stays light, and the citrus gives it enough lift that I don’t feel like I’m drinking plain hot water.

If I want a touch of sweetness, I’ll ask for honey or a little classic syrup. My favorite version is with a splash of lemonade, because the extra tartness makes the mint and citrus taste sharper without becoming heavy.

6. Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte 

A basic black tea order is hard to mess up, and this is one I come back to when I want something familiar and low-key.

The English Breakfast tea is a rich, full-leaf tea from India and Sri Lanka and is sure to please even the most discerning of drinkers.

Instead of plain black tea, this version comes with liquid cane sugar for noticeable sweetness, plus steamed milk and a velvety foam.

I won’t lock it to one exact calorie figure, because the number depends on how it’s made, but it still lands in that warm, dessert-like space. Every time I have one, it makes me think of walking through London with a cup in hand.

It’s even one of the cheapest latte drinks on the Starbucks menu!

7. Emperor's Clouds & Mist 

There’s something nice about a softly sweet green tea when my throat feels rough. The Emperor’s Clouds & Mist is mild, smooth, and less sharp than a lot of other teas I reach for.

The first time I saw this one on the menu, it sounded fancier than it tasted. In practice, it’s a straightforward green tea, which is part of why I like it.

It’s a gently smoked green tea that’s been cultivated at 3,500 feet. A simple infusion of water and two bags of green tea, it contains no calories at all.

If I want a little more sweetness, honey works without drowning out the tea.

I usually go with both honey and a splash of lemonade, because that makes it taste brighter without turning it syrupy.

8. Steamed Apple Juice 

I rate Steamed Apple Juice highly when I want something warm and easy to sip.

The sweetness and warmth are exactly what I want when my throat feels raw, and I’ve also handed it to my kids when they were sick because it’s familiar, soft, and easy to drink.

Filled with all of that apple goodness and vitamin C to help boost my immune system against the common cold, this steamed apple juice contains 220 calories in a Grande.

I’ve seen people add peach or strawberry syrups to this one, but I usually like it plain because the apple flavour is already doing enough.

If the sweetness feels too strong, asking for half a cup of hot water softens it without changing the drink too much.

9. Pink Drink Starbucks Refresher 

While most of my go-to sore throat drinks are tea-based, I don’t discount how soothing coconut milk can feel when I want something colder and milder.

Number 9 on my list is the popular Pink Drink from Starbucks. This fruity drink has a gentle cooling effect that can really calm throat irritation.

It’s also ice cold, so if I’m alternating between hot and cold drinks, I’ll sometimes pair a Pink Drink with tea instead of drinking it on its own.

Coconut milk is known for helping fight both viral and bacterial infections, so your immune system will appreciate this one, too!