Dietitian unveils tea recipe to fight winter sniffles

Proceeding from its article, Fox News unveils that many people are turning to tea for respiratory relief during the cold and flu season. 

One popular choice at Starbucks is known as the "medicine ball" for its believed healing benefits.

The drink was originally created in October 2016 as a blend of tea, steamed lemonade, and honey, according to a Starbucks spokesperson speaking with Fox News Digital. Initially part of the "secret menu," it gained so much popularity that it was officially added to the regular menu as "honey citrus mint tea" in 2017, the spokesperson shared.

The drink features "green tea with calming herbal chamomile notes, complemented by hints of spearmint and fruit flavors, served with steamed lemonade and a drizzle of honey for a comforting tea experience," according to the Starbucks website.

However, it's also quite sweet, with 30 grams of sugar in a "grande" size, as noted by the Starbucks website.

A registered dietitian revealed how she creates her own take on the drink with a personal twist.

"This is one of my favorite recipes to help fight the winter sniffles and soothe sore throats, thanks to the combination of honey and teapigs green and peppermint teas," said Kelsey Kunik, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, speaking to Fox News Digital. Teapigs is a brand of teas.

Kunik, who is based in Michigan, contributes to the website "Graciously Nourished."

Green tea, she explained, "is packed with natural antioxidants to support a healthy immune system" — while the inclusion of peppermint tea may help soothe sinuses.

Additionally, "honey acts as a natural cough suppressant and throat soother," she added.

By preparing the drink at home, you have "more control over the ingredients in this recipe" compared to ordering it at a store, Kunik explained.

To "significantly reduce" the sugar content, she suggested "using a light lemonade or squeezing a lemon into hot water instead of using lemonade."

'Medicine ball'-inspired teaIngredients: 6 ounces of lemonade, 6 ounces of water, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 green tea with peach (Kunik prefers the teapigs brand), 1 peppermint tea (optional) (Kunik also favors the teapigs brand for this).

By Naila Huseynova