9 Best Starbuck drinks I reach for when I’m sick

9 Best Starbucks drinks to help beat the cold

1. Honey Citrus Mint Tea (Medicine Ball)

The Starbucks Medicine Ball is one of those drinks everyone seems to have heard of, even if they are not quite sure what actually ends up in the cup.

This warming infusion is made with two separate teas combined into one delicious drink.

The Medicine Ball is an excellent cold buster as it comes with soothing ingredients that are not only great for my immune system and the common cold, but it’s also absolutely delicious.

The first time I ordered one with a scratchy throat, the warmth hit before the flavor did, and that alone made it feel more comforting than I expected from a tea-based drink.

The only thing I find more soothing for a sore throat is my grandma’s homemade chicken noodle soup.

2. Mint Majesty

When I’m looking for something caffeine-free, I know I can’t go wrong with the Mint Majesty.

It is a caffeine-free herbal hot tea made with spearmint, peppermint, and lemon verbena.

It warms me right up, and since it has zero calories or caffeine , I can order a Venti cup with no issues at all and sip throughout the evening.

I like keeping a box at home because the flavor feels clean and simple, and some Starbucks locations and Teavana stores sell it in sachet packs, so it is easy to keep nearby when I do not feel like making a trip out.

Tip From A Barista: For an extra minty kick you can add the peppermint syrup.

3. Chai Tea

A lot of people talk about chai tea as if its spices can help fight a cold, but I treat that more as folk wisdom than proof. On days when I want warmth, I care more about the cup feeling comforting than about any health claim attached to it.

What I do know is that when my throat feels scratchy, the warmth and spice make chai easier to sip, and that matters more to me on a sick day than any immune claim.

Chai tea is a black tea infused with cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and ginger notes, so it tastes bolder than most of the other teas here. A little honey softens the edges.

The Starbucks chai tea comes with no calories . The barista will ask if I want one bag or two. I recommend going for the double tea bag chai for extra boldness and twice the catechins!

4. Peach Tranquility Tea

Peach Tranquility is unsweetened as is, but the gentle fruitiness gives it enough flavor without turning heavy, sugary, or cloying.

Not only is this blend caffeine-free, but it’s also made with chamomile blossoms, lemon verbena, rose hips, candied pineapple, and peach.

I reached for it during a sinus infection, and when everything else tasted flat, this was one of the few drinks I could actually finish without tiring of it.

This is another Starbucks tea that I like to keep on hand at home, and it’s available in most major grocery stores or you can even buy the Starbucks Teavana Tea Sachets online!

Tip From A Barista: Like any other Starbucks Peach options, you can choose to go with one bag or two. I like a lot of flavor, so I usually go with two and customize by adding a bit of honey. 

5. Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea

Another fantastic tea, the Jade Citrus Mint Tea, is excellent for people like me who love the taste of Starbucks peppermint drinks.

I usually choose this one when I want just a little caffeine, since a Grande has about 40mg.

It is made with green tea, lemongrass, spearmint, and lemon verbena, and I still like a bit of honey with it.

This particular beverage is refreshing, citrusy, and doesn’t contain any calories . It’s the type of beverage I like even when I’m not feeling under the weather.

6. Starbucks Royal English Breakfast Tea

I end up drinking tea instead of coffee a lot when I am under the weather, and Starbucks Royal English Breakfast Tea fits that mood well. It feels a little steadier than coffee when I do not want much intensity.

Containing zero calories, this particular beverage is a time-honored classic made with high-grown full leaves. It’s robust in flavor and is the perfect beverage to customize, too.

The Royal English Breakfast Tea gives me a little boost in the morning, but I like that it only has 40mg of caffeine.

Tip From A Barista: I sometimes like to add a pump of my favorite syrup (vanilla) and a splash of milk or cream.

7. Steamed Apple Juice

Steamed apple juice is one of those drinks that feels easy to sip when my throat is irritated, and the warmth makes it gentler than plain juice, especially when I do not want anything acidic or fizzy.

It comes with a plethora of health benefits, from helping with heart health to relieving asthma symptoms, and it’s also excellent if you’re nursing a cold.

I especially appreciate that this particular steamed apple juice is the fact that it’s also made with 100% fresh apple juice and not from concentrate.

It is also a handy pick for kids who are sick and not interested in eating much, because it is sweet enough to feel like a treat.

8. Passion Coldbuster Tea

Like the Medicine Ball, this drink feels built for comfort first, and the taste holds up when I want something simple and steady.

The Passion Coldbuster Tea is not on the regular menu, so I keep a screenshot of the ingredient list on my phone when I want to order it, especially if I am customizing from memory.

It’s the best way to make you feel better as it has both antioxidants and anti-microbial effects and can relieve stress and insomnia.

My favorite part is the steamed lemonade, which makes it feel like a hot, softer version of an Arnold Palmer, just with more warmth.

9. Emperor’s Clouds And Mist

Made with smoked green tea, it has a subtle sweetness and zero calories.

The Emperor’s Clouds and Mist sounds like a secret-menu drink, but it is really a Teavana tea, and one of the more distinctly Chinese-style green teas Starbucks carries.

A Grande only has 16mg of caffeine, so I pretty much consider it negligible. The tea itself is pretty plain, so I usually add one packet of honey for a bit of sweetness.

How to order Starbucks at-home

When I am sick, the last thing I want is extra errands or extra germs, so I prefer drinks I can order quickly and pick up without much fuss, then head straight back to bed.

Barista HQ Note: When using DoorDash or UberEats (the only delivery services officially linked to Starbucks), please be aware that Star Rewards cannot be earned or redeemed.

FAQs

What drink at Starbucks is good for nausea?

The Iced Golden Ginger Drink can be a nice option if nausea is the issue, and some people also like peppermint tea.

What drink from Starbucks helps a sore throat?

For a sore throat, I usually look for something warm first, which is why the Medicine Ball and steamed apple juice keep coming up.

How much is Starbucks Medicine Ball?

A 12 oz Starbucks Medicine Ball starts at about $3.50 and can go up to $5 depending on location.

Can pregnant women drink Medicine Ball from Starbucks when sick?

If pregnancy is a concern, check the ingredients in the Jade Citrus Mint tea used here, since it includes lemongrass.

Conclusion

Even when I feel under the weather, I like knowing I still have plenty of options at my local Starbucks.

My top two Starbucks drinks when I am sick are the Medicine Ball and steamed apple juice.

I order both often because one is toasty and throat-soothing, while the other feels sweet and easy to sip when my appetite is low.