A staple of many restaurants and cafes lately is Honey Citrus Mint Tea. This hot tea beverage is made with honey, lemon, and fresh mint, and has become extremely popular with people seeking warm, refreshing, and flavorful hot tea. Serve up this tea on a chilly winter morning, rainy afternoon, or just as a soothing evening tea and watch as it disappears. You can even serve this tea over ice for a refreshing homemade iced tea too.
Most people attribute the creation of Honey Citrus Mint Tea to Starbucks because of the company’s Honey Citrus Mint Tea (previously known as the ‘Medicine Ball’). It is however a well-loved herbal-inspired tea hot beverage made with honey, lemon, and fresh mint leaves and tea, that can be easily made in your own home, with ingredients found in most grocery stores.
For the above reasons, this hot tea is extremely versatile and can be altered greatly in terms of flavor. To start with, the hot tea can be made with any type of tea such as green tea, an herbal tea, or with a black tea. For those who would like to know more about the green tea used in the recipe for the Honey Citrus Mint Tea, green tea can be classified into 4 different types of green teas including Japanese Green Tea, Dragonwell Tea, Genmaicha Tea, and Matcha Tea. Many recipes for this tea hot drink use simply fresh squeezed lemon juice in the tea but others use steamed lemonade to give the tea hot drink a very sweet taste. Even after the tea hot drink has been made with the simple ingredients such as tea, honey, lemon, and fresh mints, the tea can be altered with many extra ingredients to give it a completely different taste without losing the fundamental taste of the hot tea. Some popular additives to the Honey Citrus Mint Tea include ginger, cinnamon, and other types of fresh herbs that are not included in the recipe for the above hot tea.
This guide will cover the ingredients and recipe of the Honey Citrus Mint Tea as well as the drink’s nutritional information, caffeine content, variations and ways to make it.
What Is Honey Citrus Mint Tea?
Honey Citrus Mint Tea is a warm tea drink made with tea, honey, citrus and mint. The tea can be made with a variety of different teas, but the ingredients are mixed together to make a smooth, refreshing and naturally fragrant tea. Honey adds sweetness to the tea and the citrus is tart. The mint in the tea adds a cool taste to the tea making it a very comforting tea that is also very refreshing.
There are many different types of tea that you can use to make Honey Citrus Mint Tea. The tea that is used is typically the base of the tea and can provide the most flavor to the tea. Green tea is one of the most common teas used to make this tea because of its light flavor and because of the high amount of antioxidants that are found in it. Herbal teas are also very popular because they do not contain any caffeine, which can be a problem for some people. Black tea is also used to make this tea because of the strong flavor that it has. Many people like to drink this tea in the morning for breakfast because of the strong flavor.
Honey Citrus Mint Tea can be served hot or cold making it the perfect drink for every season. People enjoy drinking this tea during the colder months as a way to keep warm and cozy. Others like to chill the tea and then pour it over ice in order to make a homemade iced tea to enjoy on warm summer days. This tea is also so versatile and can be made to suit almost any taste.
Unlike many other flavored beverages that contain a lot of syrup or artificial flavoring, Honey Citrus Mint Tea can be made from mostly fresh ingredients. Simply add real honey, fresh lemons, and a sprig of mint to a hot cup of high quality tea for a refreshing and flavorful drink.
Read more: what kind of alcohol is in twisted tea
What Does Honey Citrus Mint Tea Taste Like?
The taste of Honey Citrus Mint Tea is very well-balanced. It has a sweet flavor that is provided by the honey, a citrus flavor that is provided by the lemon, and a fresh minty aroma and taste that is provided by the mint leaves.
The honey adds a smooth, natural sweetness to balance out the citrus and the tea. The mint adds a fresh, herbal aroma and a cooling sensation as you sip. The tea itself adds depth and body to the drink. The flavor of the tea will depend upon the type of tea that you use and can range from very light and delicate to strong and robust.
Most people describe Honey Citrus Mint Tea as:
- Sweet
- Citrusy
- Lightly minty
- Smooth
- Refreshing
- Comforting
- Naturally aromatic
- Mildly herbal
The Honey Citrus Mint Tea is a great choice for both the tea drinker and the non-tea drinker as the flavor is so balanced and pleasant to the taste.
Honey Citrus Mint Tea Ingredients
The benefits of Honey Citrus Mint Tea start with the use of a handful of ingredients to make this wonderful drink. Each ingredient brings its own taste, scent, and character to the tea, making it far more enjoyable than drinking a single ingredient.
The most common ingredients include:
- Green tea or herbal tea
- Honey
- Fresh lemon juice
- Fresh mint leaves
- Hot water
- Lemon slices (optional)
- Fresh ginger (optional)
- Steamed lemonade (optional)
Green Tea or Herbal Tea
The tea: It can be Green Tea, Herbal Tea or even Black Tea (for those who prefer stronger and richer flavors than Green Tea).
Honey
To balance out the tart flavor of the lemon, we can add honey to the tea. Different varieties of honey will have different flavor profiles. For a light and mild sweetness, using a Clover honey is ideal, however, a wildflower honey has a richer, more floral taste.
Fresh Lemon Juice
A great addition to tea is a shot of Fresh Lemon Juice. A fresh lemon, squeezed over your tea, will provide a fantastic, tangy, citrusy flavor and a great aroma. As with many ingredients, there are lots of variations of bottled lemon juice on the market but none can match the fresh taste of a lemon squeezed over your tea just before drinking. For homemade tea is made with the freshest of ingredients so why use anything less in your lemon juice!
Fresh Mint Leaves
This particular ingredient contributes much to the recognition of the health drink being described. In many cases, a sprig of fresh mint will be added to the tea, in order to release the leaves’ oils in to the hot water, creating a very refreshing scent and aroma. This then combines fantastically well with both the sweetness of honey and the sourness of lemon juice.
Hot Water
Using the right temperature of water is key to achieving the perfect flavor in your tea. If the water is too hot, it can bring out too many flavors and make the tea taste bitter. If the water is too cold, the tea will not get the chance to develop the full range of its flavors.
Optional Ingredients
Some people like to add a few extra ingredients to their drink.
Popular additions include:
- Fresh ginger
- Cinnamon stick
- Orange slices
- Turmeric
- Lavender
- Chamomile tea
- Steamed lemonade
With so many optional ingredients, you can create many different variations, all while remaining true to the flavor of honey, citrus, and mint.
Read more: honey citrus mint tea starbucks
Benefits of Honey Citrus Mint Tea
There are many reasons why people enjoy to drink Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Many people drink it in the winter months when it is cold outside and they want something to warm them up. Other people like to drink it during the rest of the year as a hot drink to relax with. The tea has a pleasant taste that is enjoyed by most people who try it.
The combination of tea, honey, lemon, and mint provides a light refreshing beverage with just enough sweetness to satisfy those looking for a flavored tea to drink. All of the ingredients combine very well to make a great tea that can replace sugary soft drinks and highly flavored coffee beverages.
In addition to encourage people to drink more during the cold weather, hot drinks are often seen as more hydrotting than cold. In addition to making Honey Citrus Mint Tea at home, you can always adjust the amount of honey, the strength of the tea and the amount of citrus flavor that you add to the tea to your personal preference.
Many people enjoy Honey Citrus Mint Tea for the following reasons.
- Easy to prepare
- Made with simple ingredients
- Naturally aromatic
- Refreshing in every season
- Highly customizable
- Suitable for hot or iced preparation
- Available with or without caffeine
- Pleasant for both casual and regular tea drinkers
The reason that Honey Citrus Mint Tea is so very popular is because of its versatility. One can easily make a single serving of this tea for themselves or make a large batch to serve to family and friends. This tea is very easy to scale up for large quantities and it never becomes too complicated. The simple ingredients and high quality tea are all that are needed to make a delicious and very aromatic beverage that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Whether you are a casual tea drinker or a serious tea aficionado, Honey Citrus Mint Tea is a great choice.
Honey Citrus Mint Tea Recipe
One of the reasons Honey Citrus Mint Tea is so popular is that it is incredibly easy to make at home using simple, natural ingredients. A homemade version of the Tea can be created in a matter of minutes, and unlike many specialty Tea drinks, no expensive equipment or rare ingredients are required. In addition to using simple ingredients, the Tea can be customized to your tastes by adjusting the amount of honey, lemon juice, and tea used. Therefore, Honey Citrus Mint Tea is perfect for both casual and regular tea drinkers.
In place to start with making this at home is by swapping the tea that Starbucks uses with a high quality green tea and a mint herbal tea. Add some fresh lemon, such as lemonade mixed with water or freshly squeezed, and honey to taste. By making the tea at home you can create a smooth, refreshing and comforting drink that is made with natural ingredients. The tea is easy to make and only takes a few minutes to prepare making it the perfect choice for a busy morning or for a relaxing evening cup.
Making this tea takes just a few minutes, making it the perfect choice for your busy mornings, your relaxing evening or even just for the fact that it’s so comforting to have a cup of tea in your hands.
Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 mint herbal tea bag
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ cup of lemonade (chilled or warm and then mixed with water, see above)
- 1–2 teaspoons honey
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lemon slices (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by heating the water to a hot but not boiling temperature. When the water is too hot, it can bring out a bitter taste in the green tea, so wait a minute or two before pouring it over the tea bags to allow it to cool down slightly.
Add the green tea bag and the mint herbal tea bag to a large mug, and pour the hot water over the tea bags. Allow the tea to steep for 4 to 5 minutes, until both teas have reached the desired flavor.
In order to prevent the lemonade from getting too watered down by mixing it into the tea, it is best to warm the lemonade in a saucepan or in the microwave prior to mixing it with the tea. Heating the lemonade as opposed to boiling it will help preserve the strong citrus flavor of the lemonade and allow it to blend better with the tea.
Next, warm the lemonade in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until warm. Pour the warm lemonade slowly into the mug with the tea. While the tea is still hot, add the honey to the tea and stir until it has completely dissolved.
Serve Honey Citrus Mint Tea hot and garnish with lemon slice or a few sprigs of fresh mint if desired.
Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea
Homemade Honey Citrus Mint Tea has become a very popular drink recipe lately and it was actually one of the Starbucks Tea Drinks that brought this recipe into the spotlight. Their version of the drink is made with two different teas, steamed lemonade and honey blend and is one of the most popular Tea Drinks that Starbucks offers, especially during the colder months of the year. Many Starbucks customers actually refer to this drink as the “Medicine Ball” because it is a favorite of many of their customers who are suffering from sore throats.
Of course, many of the Starbucks fans also know this drink as the Medicine Ball, because this is what many customers have asked for when they had a sore throat or simply wanted a hot and very soothing drink to have on cold days. As the name already says, this is a medicinal tea which is good for all sorts of complaints. Of course, the Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea is on the official Starbucks menu under the name Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea has become a very popular homemade drink, but Starbucks created this drink and it is one of the teas that they are most known for. They call it Honey Citrus Mint Tea but many people refer to it as the “Medicine Ball” because many people order it when they have a sore throat. In fact, it is a great drink to have when you have a sore throat because of all of the ingredients in it. It is made with Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea and Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea, both of which are teas that are sold by Starbucks. They are mixed with steamed lemonade and honey blend to make this very delicious tea. It is a very simple recipe but the ingredients are mixed in just the right way to make a very different hot tea.
Starbucks typically prepares the drink using:
- Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea
- Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea
- Steamed lemonade
- Hot water
- Honey blend
Of course, you might not get the exact taste of Starbucks’ version of the tea has, but the great thing about making your own homemade version is that you can use very similar ingredients to make a cost-effective and customizable drink.
Honey Citrus Mint Tea Nutrition
Honey Citrus Mint Tea contains mostly the calories, carbohydrates, and natural sugars from the honey and the lemonade used to make the tea.
Using less honey and making a lower sugar lemonade when you are making this tea at home can greatly reduce the calories in this beverage. Adding water to tea can thin it out without changing the flavor much and by adding more water you can make the tea even lighter in calories.
Since recipes are variable it is hard to give exact values for a homemade version of this tea but it tends to be a light drink when compared to most coffeehouse drinks.
Typical nutritional components include:
- Calories
- Carbohydrates
- Natural sugars
- Small amount of caffeine (if using green tea)
- Minimal fat
- Minimal protein
- Trace amounts of vitamins and minerals from lemon
Try lowering the honey or using a different natural sweetener if you need to reduce your sugar intake in this Homemade Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
Does Honey Citrus Mint Tea Contain Caffeine?
Does Honey Citrus Mint Tea Contain Caffeine?
Note that if the tea is made with green tea then the drink will contain a small amount of caffeine. This amount is however so small that it is more likely to act as a vitamin to aid an already healthy body than to keep someone awake at night. Green tea contains much less caffeine than black tea or coffee and as such is a great choice for those looking for a slight energy boost without the adverse effects of coffee.
Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free. Herbal mint tea is a great base for many homemade teas, and can be enjoyed late at night without worrying about the negative effects of caffeine.
The Starbucks drink contains a moderate amount of caffeine for this reason. Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea contains a lot of caffeine, and when it is paired with the caffeine free Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea, the amount of caffeine in the entire drink is reduced to a relatively low amount.
Caffeine levels generally depend on:
- Type of tea used
- Steeping time
- Serving size
- Number of tea bags
This is a caffeine-free tea, so you can enjoy it whenever of the day or night and it won’t keep you awake. If you prefer a caffeine-free tea, you can simply substitute the green tea with another herbal tea and enjoy with the honey, lemon and mint as usual.
Is Honey Citrus Mint Tea Good When You’re Sick?
One of the main reasons Honey Citrus Mint Tea is so well-known and popular is because it’s a great warm tea to drink when you are sick with a cold or flu. It’s a warm, comforting, and soothing drink that contains the comforting flavor of honey and lemon mixed with refreshing mint tea.
Because of the comforting warm liquid and the citrus and sweetness in the Honey Citrus Mint Tea, people like to drink this tea when they are sick. The warm liquid can help soothe an itchy throat. Staying hydrated is important when a person is sick. Honey is a common ingredient in home remedies because it is so comforting mixed in a warm liquid. The lemon in the Honey Citrus Mint Tea provides a fresh and bright citrus flavor. The mint in the tea gives it a refreshing aroma and is enjoyed by many tea drinkers.
Honey Citrus Mint Tea is a warm, comforting and tasty tea that can be very soothing to those who have a sore throat and are feeling under the weather. Although it can provide relief and make you feel better for a short time, it is not a cure for colds and flu. If your symptoms become worse or last longer than a few days it is best to seek medical attention.
Many people choose this tea because it offers:
- A warm and comforting drink
- A soothing flavor
- Gentle sweetness from honey
- Refreshing citrus notes
- Pleasant mint aroma
- A relaxing tea experience
This tea is not for the sick, it’s for people who want to have a warm, comforting, and soothing tea to drink. Honey Citrus Mint Tea is for people who enjoy a sweet, citrus, and refreshing tea that is perfect for any time of day or night.
Variations of Honey Citrus Mint Tea
The best thing about this Honey Citrus Mint Tea recipe is that it can be adapted for different tastes, needs and even the season. While the classic recipe of honey, lemon, tea and mint is the most popular variation of this drink, there are many other additional ingredients that can be mixed into the recipe in order to get more flavor without changing the tea tasting differently.
Some recipes are created to make a lighter version of the tea and less sweet, while others feature warm spices and even fresh fruit added to the tea to give it more depth. As the recipe for Honey Citrus Mint Tea can easily be changed to match any person’s preferences to create their own recipes, there are many versions.
Popular variations include:
- Starbucks-style Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Homemade Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Sugar-free Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Vegan Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Iced Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Ginger Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Chamomile Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Black Tea Honey Citrus Mint Tea
The above teas are all slightly different flavor profiles while retaining the refreshing taste of honey, citrus and mint in tea.
Homemade vs Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea
Homemade Honey Citrus Mint Tea is far better than Honey Citrus Mint Tea at Starbucks because you can make it just as you like it. When you are making your own tea, you can add as much or as little honey as you like and also control the strength of the tea and the amount of citrus flavor that you want in your tea. The team at Starbucks make their Honey Citrus Mint Tea using a specific combination of teas and a specific honey blend, so you get a consistently great consistent tea every time but you cannot change it. By making your own tea, you can make it exactly as you like it and therefore it is far better for you.
The Starbucks drink provides consistency in every cup of honey citrus mint tea that is served. This is because the tea used is a specific tea blend and the honey used is a special honey blend that they use in their honey citrus mint tea. On the other hand, making homemade honey citrus mint tea gives you the opportunity to try out different teas and use a fresh lemon, as well as different types of honey.
| Feature | Homemade | Starbucks |
|---|---|---|
| Tea | Any preferred tea | Jade Citrus Mint + Peach Tranquility |
| Sweetness | Fully adjustable | Honey blend |
| Citrus Flavor | Fresh lemon or lemonade | Steamed lemonade |
| Cost | Usually more affordable | Higher per serving |
| Customization | Unlimited | Depends on store options |
| Preparation | Made fresh at home | Prepared in-store |
Both versions of this refreshing drink are wonderful to drink, but they are best for different people. If you like convenience then steamed lemonade is best, but if you like lots of choices then honey citrus mint tea made in your own home is best.
Tips for Making the Best Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
This simple recipe can be further enhanced by the details with which you make it. Using fresh ingredients to make your tea and taking care in how you prepare it can make for a much brighter tasting tea with a smoother finish.
High-quality tea bags that are fresh will also create a fresher taste than older tea bags, and also the lemons and mint used to make lemonade that is fresh (as opposed to bottled) create a very potent and fresh-smelling aroma for this honey citrus mint tea.
For the best results:
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice whenever possible.
- Choose good-quality honey.
- Use fresh mint leaves instead of dried mint.
- Heat the water properly without over-boiling.
- Avoid over-steeping green tea.
- Warm the lemonade instead of boiling it.
- Stir the honey while the drink is hot.
- Taste before adding extra sweetener.
- Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
These simple adjustments enable you to get the taste of the homemade Honey Citrus Mint Tea to be as close as possible to the one prepared by the professionals in the tea houses.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The simplest drink to make could also be the worst tasting if you make a few simple mistakes when making Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Even though this is an easy recipe to make, there are a few things that you have to do to get the best tasting drink possible.
The balance of poor quality ingredients and incorrect preparation of the Honey Citrus Mint Tea can create a tea that is bitter, too sweet or even lacks a good citrus flavor. By paying close attention to the brewing time and using the best quality ingredients, a well-balanced Honey Citrus Mint Tea can be created.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Using bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons.
- Boiling the lemonade.
- Over-steeping green tea.
- Adding too much honey.
- Using old or dried mint leaves.
- Choosing low-quality tea bags.
- Skipping the mint entirely.
- Drinking the tea too cool.
This Simple Honey Citrus Mint Tea Recipe uses the fewest ingredients to make the best tea and keeps the best flavor by using the freshest ingredients.
How to Store Honey Citrus Mint Tea
We like to enjoy Honey Citrus Mint Tea fresh, but it can be stored for a day or two and reheated or made into an iced tea.
Once cooled down, the leftover tea can be transferred to another clean container and put in the fridge. The tea can be reheated to a warm temperature and served as is or mixed with ice for an iced version. The flavor of the tea as well as the lemonade can deteriorate if heated to a boiling point.
When reheating the tea make sure you are warming it up gently. If you heat it up too much it can change the taste of the tea as well as the lemon.
For the best storage results:
- Store in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate promptly after cooling.
- Consume within one to two days.
- Reheat gently.
- Stir before serving.
- If possible add a squeeze of fresh lemon or a few sprigs of fresh mint to the tea just before serving.
Many people also enjoy pouring chilled Honey Citrus Mint Tea over ice for a refreshing cold beverage during warmer weather.
Final Thoughts
For the Tea Enthusiast who enjoys Honey Citrus Mint Tea, this is a very refreshing, delicious and smooth Tea Drink that can be served and enjoyed in many different situations. In addition to relaxing and sipping in your own home, it is also perfect for serving to your friends and family during special occasions and even just as an everyday pick me up and warm drink during the cooler months of the year.
This simple recipe can be changed in order to better meet your preferences. In addition to the Honey Citrus Mint Tea recipe outlined above, you can also add your favorite tea to the honey, lemon, and mint mixture in order to get a stronger flavor or a different taste. In addition to honey, you can also use sugar or your preferred sweetener instead. If you want a stronger citrus flavor, you can use more than one citrus fruit. And in addition to peppermint, you can also add other types of mint in order to get a different and refreshing taste. In addition to making your own Honey Citrus Mint Tea at home, you can also get it at Starbucks. They have a variation of this tea that is smooth, refreshing, and perfectly balanced for tea lovers of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use black tea instead of green tea for this Honey Citrus Mint Tea recipe?
Yes. Black tea has a stronger flavor than green tea and can be mixed with honey, lemon and mint for a delicious drink.
What type of honey to use in Honey Citrus Mint Tea?
When choosing a honey for this tea, the mildest honey such as clover is usually the best because it adds just the right amount of sugar to your tea without overwhelming the other flavors of the tea. However, other types of honey such as wildflower can also be used to make a Honey Citrus Mint Tea that is a bit sweeter and a bit more complex in flavor.
Can I make Honey Citrus Mint Tea without using fresh mint?
Yes. There are tea bags of Mint which can be used as an alternative. However the fresh leaves are better for their smell and taste.
Can I make Honey Citrus Mint Tea ahead of time?
Yes. The Honey Citrus Mint Tea can be prepared in advance, it can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated when desired or poured over ice to serve as a cold tea.
Is Honey Citrus Mint Tea suitable for children?
Children can also enjoy this tea. There are many different herbal teas on the market that are caffeine-free and can be used instead of green or black tea. Also, be careful of how much honey and other sweeteners you add to the tea for children.
Is it possible to use dried mint instead of fresh mint?
Yes. Dried mint can be used instead of fresh mint for this Honey Citrus Mint Tea recipe.
Can I make Honey Citrus Mint Tea without honey?
No. Any sweetener that you wish to use can be substituted for honey in Honey Citrus Mint Tea. Using maple syrup or agave syrup would be a couple of examples.
What foods do you serve with Honey Citrus Mint Tea?
Honey Citrus Mint Tea is perfect to have with some light snacks like scones, muffins, butter cookies, fruit salads, toast with honey or even some dainty tea sandwiches.
