Does the Honey Citrus Tea Have Caffeine? A Detailed Look

December 2, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Starbucks' official nutritional information, their signature Honey Citrus Mint Tea contains between 16 and 25 mg of caffeine per grande size, meaning the honey citrus tea does have caffeine. However, this answer is not universal and depends on the specific tea bags or blend used, as many homemade versions or other brands may be entirely caffeine-free.

Quick Summary

The caffeine content of honey citrus tea varies based on its ingredients; Starbucks' version contains a small amount from green tea, while herbal versions are typically caffeine-free. The specific tea base used dictates whether the drink is caffeinated or not.

Key Points

Starbucks version contains caffeine: The popular Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea includes green tea and contains 16-25 mg of caffeine per grande size.
Caffeine-free versions exist: Many homemade and commercially available 'honey citrus' teas use herbal bases and are completely caffeine-free.
Check the ingredients: The presence of green tea (or black tea) is what adds caffeine, while purely herbal blends are stimulant-free.
Caffeine levels vary widely: A caffeinated honey citrus tea has far less caffeine than a cup of coffee but more than pure herbal infusions.
Easy to make at home: A simple homemade version using a peppermint or chamomile tea bag can deliver the same soothing flavor without any caffeine.
Steeping affects potency: For caffeinated versions, longer steeping time will result in higher caffeine extraction, while shorter steeping reduces it.

Is all honey citrus tea the same?

No, the term "honey citrus tea" is often used to describe a popular comfort drink, most famously the Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea (also known as the "Medicine Ball"). However, it is not a standardized product, and the ingredients—particularly the type of tea bag used—can vary widely. The presence of caffeine is determined solely by the base tea used in the recipe. For example, a version made with green tea, like the Jade Citrus Mint used at Starbucks, will contain caffeine, while a version made with only herbal, non-tea-plant ingredients will not.

The Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea

The Starbucks version, which is what most people are referring to, is made with a combination of two Teavana tea bags:

Jade Citrus Mint: This is a green tea, which inherently contains caffeine. It provides the minty, citrus flavor profile.
Peach Tranquility: This is an herbal tea and is naturally caffeine-free.

Because of the Jade Citrus Mint green tea, the Starbucks drink contains a moderate but noticeable amount of caffeine, typically between 16 and 25 mg in a grande size. This is significantly less than a cup of coffee but more than a purely herbal infusion.

Homemade and Herbal Honey Citrus Teas

Many recipes for homemade honey citrus tea call for different tea bags. A recipe might swap out the caffeinated green tea for a purely herbal mint tea, such as peppermint, making the final drink completely caffeine-free. Additionally, commercially available honey citrus tea blends that specify they are herbal or decaffeinated will have no caffeine.

Decaffeinated alternatives and homemade recipes

For those who enjoy the soothing flavor but want to avoid caffeine, several options are available. The simplest is to make the drink at home using a purely herbal mint tea bag instead of a green tea one. You can use ingredients like peppermint, spearmint, or chamomile. Other herbal ingredients like lemongrass can also be used to enhance the flavor without adding any stimulants.

Use herbal mint tea: Opt for a peppermint or spearmint tea bag, which provides the cooling mint flavor without caffeine.
Try other herbal infusions: Chamomile, hibiscus, or rooibos can be paired with citrus and honey for a unique, caffeine-free experience.
Make your own blend: Combine dried mint leaves, lemon verbena, and lemongrass for a custom, zero-caffeine mix.
Consider decaf green tea: While decaf green tea still contains trace amounts of caffeine, it is an option for those who want the flavor profile of green tea without the full caffeine load.

Honey Citrus Tea vs. Other Beverages


Beverage	Typical Caffeine Content (8 oz)	Notes
Starbucks Honey Citrus Tea	~16-25 mg (Grande)	Contains green tea.
Herbal Honey Citrus Tea	0 mg	Made with caffeine-free herbal blends.
Standard Green Tea	20-45 mg	Varies based on steeping time and temperature.
Standard Black Tea	40-70 mg	Higher caffeine than green tea.
Coffee	95-165 mg	Significantly higher than most teas.
Decaf Coffee	~2-12 mg	Not caffeine-free but significantly reduced.

Conclusion: The answer is in the tea bag

Whether your honey citrus tea contains caffeine comes down to one critical factor: the type of tea used to make it. If it includes a "true tea" from the Camellia sinensis plant, such as green tea, it will be caffeinated. If it is made with only herbal ingredients like mint, peach, or chamomile, it will be caffeine-free. The popular Starbucks version, made with a blend of green and herbal teas, has a modest amount of caffeine. For a truly caffeine-free version, especially when making it at home, be sure to use only herbal tea bags.

How to make your own caffeine-free honey citrus tea

Select your tea: Choose a purely herbal tea bag, such as peppermint, spearmint, or chamomile. Make sure the package explicitly states it is caffeine-free.
Gather ingredients: You'll need hot water, your chosen herbal tea bag, fresh lemon juice or steamed lemonade, and honey to taste.
Combine and steep: Pour hot water over the herbal tea bag and let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
Add flavors: Stir in the lemon juice and honey until the honey is fully dissolved. If using steamed lemonade, add it after the tea has steeped.
Enjoy: Remove the tea bag and enjoy your soothing, warm, and caffeine-free drink.

Following this simple process allows you to fully customize the flavor and ensures you can enjoy a delicious honey citrus tea at any time of day or night without worrying about caffeine intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea contains green tea as one of its ingredients, which naturally contains caffeine. A grande size has between 16 and 25 mg of caffeine.

To make a caffeine-free version, simply use a purely herbal tea bag, such as peppermint, chamomile, or peach, instead of one that contains green or black tea.

Green tea has less caffeine than black tea or coffee. An average 8-ounce cup of green tea contains approximately 20 to 45 mg of caffeine, depending on factors like steeping time and temperature.

Herbal teas, or tisanes, are naturally caffeine-free. This includes popular options like peppermint, chamomile, rooibos, and hibiscus, as they are not made from the Camellia sinensis plant.

Yes, you can control the caffeine by adjusting the brewing method. Steeping the tea for a shorter amount of time and using a lower water temperature will result in less caffeine extraction.

Yes, the combination of warm tea, honey, and lemon is often used to soothe a sore throat. Honey can help coat and calm irritation, while the tea and citrus provide warmth and flavor.

Yes, the caffeine content can differ greatly between brands. Always check the ingredient list to see if a caffeinated tea (like green or black) is included. Many herbal brands offer a caffeine-free version.