• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bill Gates believes a billionaire's tax is the only option in the age of AI—and 'whatever's left over' can be used as a philanthropic safety net

2

Voters in Silicon Valley rejected the billionaire wealth tax while those in Los Angeles and San Francisco—home to the two top AI companies—wanted it

3

‘Pick another protein’: A cattle rancher senator’s answer on beef prices could give Democrats their first Mississippi Senate win since 1982

1

Bill Gates believes a billionaire's tax is the only option in the age of AI—and 'whatever's left over' can be used as a philanthropic safety net

2

Voters in Silicon Valley rejected the billionaire wealth tax while those in Los Angeles and San Francisco—home to the two top AI companies—wanted it

3

‘Pick another protein’: A cattle rancher senator’s answer on beef prices could give Democrats their first Mississippi Senate win since 1982
RetailStarbucks

How Your Instagram Posts Created a New Starbucks Drink

By
Beth Kowitt
Beth Kowitt
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Beth Kowitt
Beth Kowitt
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 23, 2017, 4:16 PM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

It turns out your Instagram posts are doing more than creating food envy for your followers.

Over at Starbucks (SBUX), regular photos posted on the social media site recently led the company to formally add a cult-favorite tea-based drink.

Called a Medicine Ball or Cold Buster, the beverage is a Venti cup with a bag of Jade Citrus Mint Tea and a bag of Peach Tranquility Tea filled half with hot water and half steamed lemonade. It’s finished with a little honey and an optional pump of peppermint.

The Medicine Ball’s journey into the formal Starbucks system began when a store manager posted in the company’s internal messaging system that his baristas were making more than 20 of the drinks a day. Customers were coming in and requested it after seeing the drink posted on Instagram. The problem was the manager wasn’t sure if his team had the right recipe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQrQNQngGuz/

 

The company decided to make the Medicine Ball an official beverage after nearly 40 other managers responded, saying they were selling anywhere from one to four dozen, explained Starbucks president and COO Kevin Johnson at the company’s annual shareholder meeting yesterday. Now the Medicine Ball has a standard recipe card and ring code, which helps create more consistent experience for customers.

Johnson said previously the decision to add a new beverage would have taken weeks or months, but corporate was able to make it happen in one day.

Johnson will become the new CEO of Starbucks in April, replacing longtime chief Howard Schultz. Schultz in turn will become executive chairman and focus his time on the company’s new premium retail formats.

About the Author
By Beth Kowitt
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Recommended For You

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.