When I was working barista shifts at Starbucks over the winter, we'd get Medicine Ball orders every single hour. And not going to lie, I really hated them. Let me get this straight — I didn't hate the drink, but I more so disliked the fact that the customers ordering them almost always demanded their tea between a swarm of thick coughs and countless small sniffles. Yuck.
It truly felt like I was on the fence of getting sick pretty much every time someone stepped up to the register. But, I remained strong and I did what I had to do as a service worker, which in this case, was to pour the peachy-citrus tea into a pool of honey syrup, then top it with steamed lemonade. Coughs and sniffles aside, I often questioned why someone would order the Medicine Ball, based on the cost of the drink alone (up to $6, and that gets expensive when you're ordering it all the time).
Popular during sick season, the Starbucks Medicine Ball (AKA the Honey Citrus Mint Tea) may be good, but it's not good enough to cure you of that semi-flu, or whatever other pathogens might have been floating around in my café. It's also not worth putting someone else's health in jeopardy. Turns out, you can make the Medicine Ball at home — which saves money and effort (and spares others' safety) in the long run.
Scroll on to find out how simple making the Starbucks Medicine Ball really is!
@k.ard Medicine Ball for only $1.69 each! #medicineball#fluseason#coldseason#starbucksdupe#budgettok#SephoraConcealers#DrPepperTuitionContest#halloween#fall2022♬ Halloween - KenZie DarkStar
TikTok always makes recipes look effortless. So, I took this trusty tutorial into our own hands to compare how good an at-home Medicine Ball could really be against the real one from Starbucks.
Ingredients for the Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink
Starbucks
How can I make a Medicine Ball at home?
Anna Pou / PEXELS
Making a Starbucks Medicine Ball at home is pretty straightforward:
- Heat 1 cup of lemonade in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute.
- Add 1 cup of hot water and stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
- Add one bag of Peach Tranquility and one bag of Jade Citrus Mint, then steep for a few minutes.
- Enjoy your Medicine Ball!
How I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball At Home
Meredith Holser
First, I embarked on an ever-iconic Target run to gather my copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe ingredients. Since they were out of the exact Teavana teas I needed to replicate the TikTok recipe, I picked up two similar ones: first, the Good & Gather Organic Peach Honey Tea, and the Good & Gather Organic Mint Tea. I also picked up a jug of lemonade, and planned to use the honey I already had at home. All together, the three ingredients I needed ended up costing me about $9.50.
Step 1: Heat Lemonade
Tara Winstead / PEXELS
I measured a cup of lemonade, and just popped my Starbucks mug in the microwave for a minute.
Step 2: Add Water and Honey
Roman Odinstov / PEXELS
While the lemonade was in the microwave, I set some water on in my electric kettle. Once both liquids were heated up, I measured a cup of water and combined it in the mug with a tablespoon of honey. Yum!
Step 3: Steep Tea Bags
Anna Pou / PEXELS
Then, I put the two teabags in the mixture to steep. The tea wasn't overly hot either, and I steeped them for about 3 minutes before giving my homemade Medicine Ball recipe a lil' sip.
Is the homemade version of the Medicine Ball as good as the one from Starbucks?
Meredith Holser
To my surprise, my homemade Medicine Ball recipe was extremely delicious, and it mimicked the Starbucks one so closely. Before tasting, I gave my tea a sniff, and the smell was pretty much identical to the drink made in stores. The flavor hit the exact same mark.
Overall, I rate my homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball a 4.7/5.
The only detracting factors are the temperature of the drink – Starbucks steams their lemonade to make the drink super hot, and mine wasn't nearly as piping. Of course, this is just personal preference, and next time, I can heat the lemonade for a longer duration, or reheat the drink altogether. Another reason for the minimal point deduction is the drink wasn't as sweet as I expected it to be. Again, this is a personal preference, and you can add as little or as much sweetener you desire!
All of this goes to say, that a homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball is just as yummy as the one you can get at a Starbucks cafe. By following the steps above, you can make a copycat recipe that's going to satisfy your hankering for a citrusy, hot tea!
Looking for more at-home copycat recipes like this Medicine Ball from Starbucks? Browse our site for more DIYs!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
Drama lovers are living large thanks to The Summer I Turned Pretty, Sweet Magnolias, and now My Life With The Walter Boys season 2! The show (which is basically Friday Night Lights meets Dawson's Creek) spent some time at the number one spot on Netflix’s Global English Top 10 TV list (and joined the list in 88 other countries). Netflix renewed it for a sophomore season in December 2023, and the great news is that season 2 just finished filming!
Here's everything you need to know about My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 — and don't forget to watch our interview with the cast, too.
Is there going to be My Life With the Walter Boys season 2?
Netflix
Yes, there will be a My Life With the Walter Boys season 2! Netflix renewed the new TV show in December of 2023. The second season started filming in Calgary, Canada on August 14, 2024. Showrunner Melanie Halsall is returning for season 2, as is executive producer Ed Glauser. Becky Hartman Edwards will also serve as an EP.
While there's no book for My Life With the Walter Boys season 2, author Ali Novak revealed her upcoming sequel book won't influence the show, saying “none of the content that I am currently writing will be in the second season. They’ve just taken different directions. Still all the same characters that we love.”
The season recently wrapped in November 2024, and the cast spilled on their post-shoot plans. “We have our apartments for a little bit afterwards, so we’re definitely going to stick around,” star Asbhy Gentry tells TUDUM. The cast also talked about visiting Calgary Zoo, renting bikes, and heading to Banff (in Alberta, Canada), but was distraught when they learned their favorite dessert place had closed its doors. Thankfully, a new place called Cloud Naan came to the rescue. “It’s like Cloud Nine, but with naan,” Ashby says. Now I'm craving naan!
When is the My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 release date?
Netflix
We don't have an official release date for My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 yet, but we know it's coming in 2025. Considering season 1, which started streaming in December of 2023, premiered a little over a year after filming ended, it's safe to assume we'll get another December release.
“Season 2 is bigger and better,” creator Melanie Halsall tells TUDUM. “We’ve got massive set pieces in each episode, and the stories are more intricate. We found our feet with our characters, [and] the actors really understand their characters now. When I was coming back, I was excited to start shooting again because I knew we had great stories to tell.”
Who's in the My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 cast?
Netflix
Nikki Rodriguez, Noah LaLonde, and Ashby Gentry return as Jackie, Cole, and Alex respectively. We'll see other cast members like Marc Blucas, Johnny Link, Corey Fogelmanis, Connor Stanhope, Dean Petriw, Alix West Lefler, Lennix James, and Sarah Rafferty! Natalie Sharp, Carson MacCormac, Janet Kidder, Riele Downs, and Jake Manley are joining the cast.
What has the cast said about their time on the show?
Netflix
The My Life With the Walter Boys cast has loved their time on the show! When the first season dropped, Nikki Rodriguez posted a selfie with Noah LaLonde and Ashby Gentry with the caption "Cheers to the best time of my life."
"NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD," Ashby said in his own Instagram post when the show hit the streaming platform's top spot. "GRATEFUL IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT."
During our own interview with the main trio, they talked about how quickly the bonded on set. "We got deep," Noah told me over Zoom.
"Nothing says bonding like goofing off," Ashby said. "I think it's easy to become a family when you include a little bit of that."
"There's so many topics that the show covers," Nikki added. "Love, loss, grief, family, and chosen family, and I feel like those are all topics we've all experienced and can connect to."
Who does Jackie end up with in My Life with the Walter Brothers in the books?
Netflix
In the My Life With the Walter Boys books, Alex and Jackie agree to just be friends after she confesses her feelings to Cole, who then confesses his own feelings in the pouring rain (dreamy!!). In the final episode of the TV show, Jackie confronts Cole after he glued her sister's broken teapot back together, and the two end up kissing. But then Cole finds Jackie has run back to New York City, leaving nothing but an "I'm sorry" note behind.
What do YOU want to see in My Life With the Walter Boys season 2? Follow us on Facebook for more pop culture news!
This post has been updated.
Move over expensive MAC haul — I've discovered the best drugstore lipstick that rivals my $20+ purchases. I love finding dupes for my beauty lovers who can't continuously drop a huge amount of money on new products that eventually expire. Since I'm 100% against using old makeup, I'd rather chat your eat off about the affordable drugstore finds I'm using consistently these days.
IMO, the best drugstore lipstick is the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick! Coming from one of the OG beauty brands, it's formula was surprising because I almost expected it to fail. It sounds silly, but trying drugstore brands used to be a hit or miss before social media started demanding that all makeup products stop being subpar.
Since this lipstick passed the test, here's everything you need to know about it — including why I l keep buying it and all the other best drugstore lipsticks I love!
What is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink used for?
Jasmine Williams
Anyone can say that their lipstick is THE BEST, but that's not always true. So, what's the tea on the Super Stay Matte Ink formula? According to the brand's notes on Amazon, here's what you can expect to this lipstick to do:
- Glide on easily because of the "unique arrow application"
- Provide a "perfectly matte" finish
- Remain "smudge-free" for up to "16 hours"
It sounds like a lot of fluff if you've never tried the formula before, so I scrolled through the comment section to see what other customers think.
What are other customers saying about it?
Maybelline
Most of the customer reviews I read through on Amazon are extremely thorough so here are the ones that stood out the most:
- "I am really hooked on this lipstick! It's very long wearing and it's super gentle on my lips...Let me address some common complaints among other reviewers and why I think they're wrong...Oil takes this stuff off quite easily, so do some makeup wipes...Secondly, I do agree that this product is very sticky. I have found that I can put my Mac lipgloss on over top and now it's not sticky anymore!"
- "I’ve purchased this longevity wand type lipstick a few times and I like the texture and staying power. Sometimes I put another glossy lipstick over if it seems drying however it stays very nicely for the day."
- "This is my first time purchasing this brand. When I say it last all day, it doesn't come off until you take it off! Some might see this as bothersome, but having it stay on until I need it off is the greatest thing."
- My Favorite Review: "I put it on at around 3:30 pm and fell asleep with it on cause it was a busy night, it was still on the next morning. I had to use multiple makeup remover wipes and wash my face with a good makeup remover to get it off."
My Review For Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick
Jasmine Williams
I used to be terrified of wearing 'nude' lip colors because I thought they would be too much of a contrast against my complexion, but watching a few YouTube tutorials nipped my fear in the bud. I make the 'Seductress' shade work for me by lining my lips with a dark brown liner. Once I did that, I immediately fell for the way it looks on me. It's to the point where I actually can't stop wearing lip combo — it's so easy to apply and takes less than two minutes to set!
How long does Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick last?
Before I started applying gloss over my nude lip combo, I wanted to test two very important things:
- If this matte lipstick could pass the smudge-proof test. I've tried other brands, and they haven't always stayed in place — especially when eating or drinking something — so I was skeptical.
- How long it actually lasts, smudge-proof or not. I mean, who among us hasn't gotten home after an evening out to find their lipstick basically nonexistent?
Like one of the customer reviews suggests, this lipstick has come off a little while eating things like pasta or pizza, so it's not 100% "smudge-free." Given that, I only had to reapply this lipstick once throughout an 8-hour day — which isn't a huge deal to me because it takes less than 30 seconds to reapply it. The best way I get it to stay put is by applying lip gloss and a teeny amount of setting spray over it.
Target
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick
Lately, I've even been adding the Maybelline Lifter Gloss in the shade 'Stone' as a way to truly lock in the color. It highlights the 'Seductress' shade of the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick which is a huge plus for me.
For less than $12, I think it's absolutely worth buying multiple times!
More Best Drugstore Lipsticks
Target
The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick
When I'm in the mood for a universal red lipstick that has the best color payoff, I always turn to The Lip Bar's 'Bawse Lady.' She's a gorgeous blue-red that highlights all undertones without making anyone looked washed out.
Target
Revlon Colorstay Limitless Matte Lipstick
I discovered Revlon's Colorstay formula while browsing for a deeper lipstick for fall and it does not disappoint! It's another vegan product that has triple hyaluronic acid and upcycled cranberry extract in it so it literally feels like you're not wearing anything on your lips!
Target
Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick
The word 'Fetish' may be off-putting, but don't write this lipstick off because of the name — ha! I typically wear this when I don't want to wait for a liquid lipstick to dry. It's super velvety and also contains hyaluronic acid in it to help keep lips moisturized.
Target
Nyx Professional Makeup Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream
Last but not least, Nyx has never let me down in the lip department before. If I'm truly shopping on a budget, I'll reach for the Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream because it glides on my lips like butter. That's not to say I know what it feels like to rub butter all over my lips, but you get what I mean! It's soft and has a gorgeous color payoff that makes me feel like it's comparable to the best lipstick I swear by.
Have you tried Maybelline's Super Stay Matte Ink lipstick before? Let us know in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter for more beauty finds!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Chad Michael Murray's Mysterious 'One Tree Hill' Sequel Update Is The Most Lucas Scott Thing Ever.
Nov 18, 2024
Break out your basketball jerseys because the Tree Hill Ravens are coming back! Multiple sources have toldVariety that Netflix will develop a sequel series to the beloved CW drama, which ran from 2003-2012. While the series hasn't officially been greenlit yet, multiple series stars have admitted they'd love to have a One Tree Hill reunion and make another installment of the show.
"I just can't see a world where something won't happen," Chad Michael Murray told E! News. "Something will happen. Whether we get everybody together and do a live reading of the show, or we create a new fictional future episode, I don't know what it will be."
"We’re all on board, we’re all friends, it would be the most fun show anybody has ever been on," Barbara Alyn Woods says in an Entertainment Tonight interview.
Here's everything to know about the One Tree Hillsequel series — including the stars rumored to return!
Who's returning to the One Tree Hill sequel?
Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix
One Tree Hill Sequel Cast
According to Variety, Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton would return as Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively. Daneel Ackles would also return — and all three would serve as executive producers on the TV show alongside Warner Bros. Television, who was behind the original show.
When asked if he would return as Lucas Scott, Chad Michael Murray simply responded with “No clue." Considering previous reports suggested he had "no plans to return," this is promising news to me! He then added he hopes the sequel series “comes together for the fans.”
“I mean, this fandom that has grown, I mean, literally, I was just in Halifax a week ago and, sure enough, I’m running into 11, 12, 13-year-old kids who are in love with Tree Hill,” he continues. “They’re seeing it on Hulu and they’re going, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ It’s stood the test of time and I think to have some new stories, whatever iteration of the show that’s created, I want it for the fans.”
Will One Tree Hill have a season 10?
Warner Bros. Television
One Tree Hill Sequel Plot
One Tree Hill doesn't have a season 10, and it's unclear what kind of sequel this new One Tree Hill series would be. But it looks like star Hilarie Burton is confident the new series would be told through the female experience. "What has been really cool for [the entire cast and crew], they're all really proud of the work that we did back then too," she told Brit + Co in September. And so to see the public support this little show we made 20 years later, that's so special and it's so rare."
“Being able to work with a team of women and look at these stories [and] these characters through a female lens is something that — whether I was doing a reboot or a brand-new show or a different movie at this phase in my life, female teamwork is something that is so vital to me,” she adds in an interview with People. “It is the core of anything I've done that's successful...So I'm excited to be able to team up with people that I look up to, people that I love dearly.”
After the One Tree Hill finale featured all of our favorite characters' kids, I've always wanted to see a One Tree Hill next generation series that brings the kids into high school, which is something other fans have been wanting too!
One viral TikTok imagines an intro for a fictional Next Gen series starring Dylan O'Brien, Candice King, and Vanessa Marano. "Could you imagine this as a reboot with the kids though," one comment reads. "We can only dream."
Warner Bros. Television
And good news for OTH fans! Jana Kramer, who played Alex during the later seasons of the show, teased she thinks Peyton and Brooke "are coming back as moms."
"I had spoken to Hilarie about it, about Alex making an appearance when I knew about it," she tells People. "We had discussed it before the news broke...I think their intention is to bring back people that make sense. And Hilarie was like, 'I never got to meet Alex, so it'd be fun to have us meet,' and I'm like, 'I would love that. Sign me up.' So, we'll see. TBD."
Brooke having to deal with her kids' TikToks? Peyton thinking about the future of art and AI? Mouth leading the Tree Hill podcast empire? There is so much to dive into here. But all in all, One Tree Hill is one TV show that gives me so much hope, no matter how many times I watch it. And I know that bringing back our favorite found family is the perfect way to bring some of that hope right back into today's TV.
Scott Gries/Getty Images
One Tree Hill also starred Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Austin Nichols, Bethany Joy Lenz, Paul Johansson, Barbara Alyn Woods, Lee Norris, and Antwon Tanner. Check back here for the latest updates on the One Tree Hill reboot cast!
Warner Bros. Television
What do you think about the One Tree Hill sequel?! Stay tuned for the latest news and read up on how This One Moment Proves Brooke Davis Is The Best Character On One Tree Hill.
This post has been updated.
Thanksgiving dinner is a meal we look forward to all year long. The savory stuffing, the roasted turkey, the cranberry sauce — does it get any better than that? Well if you ask us, the best part are the leftovers! And we're talking about more scrumptious meals than the usual turkey sandwich. We've scoured the internet for different ways to put that surplus of food — trimmings included — to use. These 15 recipes will have you licking your chops.
Amazing Thanksgiving leftovers the entire family will won't mind eating until the first week of December
Butternut Bakery
Pumpkin Cupcakes
Don't throw away that pumpkin purée just yet! You can use it to make delicious pumpkin cupcakes the entire family will keep coming back for. Once you add in a little pumpkin pie spice, flour, baking soda, dark brown sugar, and more goodies, you'll have 12 sweet treats to munch after Thanksgiving.
P.S. You may want to have someone else bake this recipe a second time so you can have 24 cupcakes!
Cozy Cravings
Butternut Squash and Bacon Crostini
Your family will become a huge fan of crostinis once they taste this recipe. Between the butternut squash, ricotta cheese, and bacon, everyone will be eating sweet as well as savory mini sandwiches.
Munching with Mariyah
Curried Pumpkin Red Lentil Soup
Blend your leftover pumpkin and squash with coconut milk, red curry paste, ginger, and more veggies for the heartiest lentil soup you've ever tasted. Everyone will be looking to recreate this dish for a taste of lentils once they eat it, er, sip it.
Brit + Co
Gluten-Free Frittata Recipe
Bring your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers together with some cheese, peppers, and onions for a delicious frittata. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
The Butter Half
Thanksgiving Leftover Pop Tarts
These savory pop tarts are filled with cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and bits of tender turkey, then drizzled with gravy for a snack or meal that will knock your socks off. (via The Butter Half)
Foodess
Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
Put the sandwiches on hold, because this turkey pot pie is the *only* way to use those turkey leftovers to their greatest potential.
A Sweet Pea Chef
Leftover Turkey Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette
Take your comfort food and turn it into something nutritious by topping salad with leftover turkey and a vinaigrette made with leftover cranberries.
Spices in My DNA
Thanksgiving Leftovers Everything Bagel Sandwich
This recipe stuffs your everything bagel with a poached egg, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey.
The Seasoned Mom
Aunt Bee's Leftover Turkey Casserole
It's cozy casserole season, so this recipe is the perfect way to use up that leftover turkey by adding it to a pasta bake that is rich, creamy, and jam-packed with flavor.
Lively Table
Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Nothing soothes the soul better than a steamy bowl of soup like this, filled to the brim with tender shredded turkey, nourishing veggies, and a generous dollop of Greek yogurt for extra smoothness.
The Cookie Recipe
Deep-Fried Loaded Mashed Potato Bites
If you don't know what to do with that heap of extra mashed potatoes, we've got you covered with these crispy potato, bacon, and cheese-filled bites of glory.
What Should I Make For...
Thanksgiving on a Roll
If you want ALL the carbs, this recipe sandwiches turkey and all the fixin's between a fresh roll and it. Is. Magical.
Whitney Bond
Turkey Fajita Rice Bowls
Kick things up a notch and put a healthy spin on your leftover turkey with these veggie-filled fajita rice bowls.
Yes to Yolks
Thanksgiving Leftovers Pierogi
This recipe smashes the traditional pierogi together with leftover Thanksgiving goodies for a fun and seasonal spin on a classic.
Jessica in the Kitcen
Vegetarian Meatloaf and Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
Vegetarians can enjoy Thanksgiving to the max too, and if anything proves it, it's this stacked meatless 'wich that swaps the usual turkey for plant-based meatloaf.
Pickled Plum
Leftover Turkey Dinner Hash
These turkey-filled hash patties will make brunch fanatics swoon with their festive flavor and golden crisp exterior.
Bless Her Heart Y'all
Turkey Teriyaki Stir-Fry
This feast doesn't just give you a healthful meal after gorging on holiday eats, but it also serves as a weeknight wonder, clocking in at just 15 minutes from start to finish!
Chef de Home
Turkey Tetrazzini With Mushrooms
Putting that leftover turkey to use never looked so good with this creamy mushroom and pasta-filled tetrazzini.
Half Baked Harvest
Thanksgiving Leftovers Croque Madame
This Thanksgiving leftovers croque Madame sandwich is an excellent way to serve breakfast on Black Friday. After all, you'll need an extra boost from the fried eggs to get you through your mad dash at the mall!
Vikalinka
Butternut Squash Casserole
Not sure what to do with all the leftover butternut squash? Make a cheesy au gratin casserole!
Crowded Kitchen
Vegan Cornbread Stuffing
Don't throw away your cornbread after Thanksgiving! You can use what's leftover to bake vegan cornbread stuffing to give it a toasted yet flavorful taste.
Crowded Kitchen
Pumpkin Salad
This tasty and crunchy pumpkin salad is a great option to make if you're confused about what to do with your leftover pumpkins.
Averie Cooks
Caramel Apple Gingerbread Cookie Cups
Let's say you bought one too many apples for the apple pie you baked. Instead of lamenting over your 'mishap,' use what's leftover after Thanksgiving to make caramel apple gingerbread cookie cups!
Completely Delicious
Thanksgiving Leftovers Pizza
This delicious leftover pizza is a thoughtful option for anyone who swears they're tired of eating leftover Thanksgiving turkey after a couple of days.
Pink Owl Kitchen
Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
Chances are it'll be cold the week of Thanksgiving so use your leftover sweet potatoes to create this creamy soup. It's good for the soul!
For more Thanksgiving leftover recipes, follow us on Pinterest — and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter!
This post has been updated.