WITH cold and flu season in full swing, many people turn to teas for a little relief from the respiratory system.
One drink that people swear by at Starbucks has been called a “medicine ball” for its purported healing properties.
The drink was created in October 2016 as a mixture of tea, steamed lemonade and honeya Starbucks spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The former “secret menu” drink has become very popular and was added to the official menu as “Honey Citrus Mint Tea” in 2017, the spokesperson added.
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The drink consists of “green tea with soothing herbal notes of chamomile and hints of spearmint and fruity flavor, served with steamed lemonade and honey for tea that comforts from the inside out,” according to Starbucks’ website.
Along with that, however, comes a lot of sweetness. There are 30 grams of sugar in a “grande” size, according to Starbucks’ website.
Many people turn to tea when they are sick. One drink that people swear by at Starbucks has been called a “medicine ball” for its purported healing properties. (iStock)
The registered dietitian shared how she makes her own version of the drink – with her own twist.
“This is one of my favorite recipes to help fight winter sniffles and soothe sore throats, thanks to the combination of honey and green tea pig and peppermint teas“, registered dietitian and nutritionist Kelsey Kunik told Fox News Digital. Teapigs is a brand of teas.
Kunik, based in Michigan, writes for the website “Graciously Nourished.”
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Green tea, she said, is “packed with natural antioxidants that support a healthy immune system” — and adding peppermint tea might help soothe sinuses.
Also, “honey acts as a natural cough suppressant and throat soother,” she said.
Tea contains antioxidants that help the body defend against colds. (iStock)
By preparing the drink at home, you have “more control over the ingredients in this recipe“than you would order in a grocery store, Kunik said.
The way to “significantly reduce” the amount of sugar in a drink is to “use a light lemonade or squeeze a lemon into hot water instead of lemonade.”
Tea inspired by a ‘medicine ball’
Ingredients
6 ounces of lemonade
6 ounces of water
1 spoon of honey
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1 green tea with peach (Kunik likes the teapigs brand)
1 peppermint tea (optional) (Kunik also likes the teapigs brand for this)
By making this tea at home, you can control how much sugar you consume, the dietitian noted. (Dünzl\ullstein image via Getty Images)
Instructions
Add lemonade to a large mug and microwave for 30 to 60 seconds until heated through.
Add 6 ounces of hot water (immediately after boiling) to a cup and steep one green peach tea bag for 5 minutes.
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After 3 minutes, add one bag of peppermint tea and let it brew for the last 2 minutes.
Mix in one spoonful of honey (or more if you like it sweeter) and enjoy.
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This recipe is owned by Kelsey Kunik, RDN and shared with Fox News Digital.
