If you’ve been searching for a vibrant, refreshing, and absolutely captivating drink, let me introduce you to the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe. This enchanting beverage combines the delicate floral notes of butterfly pea flowers with the creamy richness of milk, all brightened with a splash of lemon juice that magically transforms its color. It’s not just a treat for your taste buds but a visual delight that’s perfect for any time you want to feel a little fancy and a lot refreshed.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s contributing to the vibrant color, the creamy texture, or the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
- Butterfly pea flowers: The star ingredient, giving the tea its stunning blue hue and subtle floral aroma.
- Water: Essential for steeping the flowers and extracting their beautiful color and flavor.
- Lemon juice: Adds a fresh citrus zing and triggers the magical color change from blue to purple.
- Sweetener (honey or sugar): Complements the floral notes and balances the tartness of lemon.
- Milk (or non-dairy alternative): Creates a silky, creamy latte base that softens the tea’s earthiness.
- Ice cubes: To chill the latte and keep it perfectly refreshing on a warm day.
How to Make Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Step 1: Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers
Start by boiling 2 cups of water and then removing it from the heat. Add 1/4 cup of dried butterfly pea flowers to the hot water and let them steep for about 10 minutes. This soaking time allows the flowers to release their gorgeous natural blue pigment and delicate flavor into your tea.
Step 2: Strain the Tea
Once steeped, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or pitcher. This ensures a smooth tea without any flower bits, setting the perfect stage for the latte.
Step 3: Sweeten and Add Lemon Juice
While the tea is still warm, stir in your preferred sweetener to taste. At this point, add a splash of fresh lemon juice and watch in delight as the blue tea morphs into a mesmerizing shade of purple. It’s a simple trick that brings a magical element to your drink.
Step 4: Cool the Tea
Allow the flavored tea to cool down to room temperature. This step is important before you add ice and milk, ensuring your latte is perfectly refreshing without being diluted.
Step 5: Assemble the Latte
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over them. Then, top with your choice of milk or non-dairy alternative. Stir gently to combine the layers into a creamy, colorful treat.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
For that extra special touch, garnish with lemon slices or even edible flowers. This makes your Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe not only delicious but also beautiful enough to impress anyone lucky enough to share a sip.
How to Serve Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a lemon slice is more than decorative—it invites your guests to squeeze a little extra citrus into their drink, enhancing flavor and color. Edible flowers create an elegant, Instagram-worthy presentation that’s simply irresistible.
Side Dishes
This latte pairs wonderfully with light, delicate treats like buttery shortbread cookies, coconut macaroons, or fresh fruit. These sides complement the tea’s gentle floral notes without overpowering them.
Creative Ways to Present
Try layering the tea and milk slowly for a gradient effect before stirring, or use clear glassware to showcase the stunning color transformation. For a fun twist, serve it in a mason jar with a colorful straw to brighten up any casual gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover butterfly pea flower tea concentrate, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the milk separate until you’re ready to serve to preserve the freshest taste and texture.
Freezing
While the tea itself can be frozen in ice cube trays for future use, it’s best not to freeze the milk mixture. Frozen butterfly pea ice cubes are perfect for adding vibrant color and flavor to any iced beverage instantly.
Reheating
This latte is best enjoyed cold, so reheating isn’t usually necessary. If you prefer it warm, simply reheat the tea portion gently before adding warm milk, but skip the ice in that case.
FAQs
What does butterfly pea flower tea taste like?
Butterfly pea flower tea has a mild, earthy flavor with subtle floral notes that pairs beautifully with sweeteners and lemon, making it a delightful base for this latte.
Can I use fresh butterfly pea flowers instead of dried?
Yes! Fresh flowers work well if you adjust the quantity slightly—about a handful of fresh flowers for 2 cups of water—and steep until the water turns a deep blue.
Is butterfly pea flower tea caffeine-free?
Absolutely, it’s naturally caffeine-free, making it an excellent choice for a calming, refreshing drink any time of day.
Can I use any type of milk?
You can use dairy milk or any non-dairy alternative like almond, oat, or coconut milk. Each will add its own unique flavor and creaminess, so feel free to experiment.
What causes the color change in the tea?
The vibrant blue color comes from anthocyanin pigments in the flowers, which change to purple when acid like lemon juice is added. It’s a natural and fun process to watch!
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you try this Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe, it’s going to become your go-to drink whenever you want to add a little magic to your day. It’s simple, stunning, and totally refreshing—a perfect little indulgence you can make anytime. Give it a try and watch the colors and flavors captivate you and your friends!
Print
Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This refreshing Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte combines the vibrant blue hues of butterfly pea flowers with the creamy richness of milk, transformed by a splash of lemon juice that turns the drink into a stunning purple shade. Perfectly sweetened and served over ice, this beverage is a delightful and visually captivating way to enjoy a floral tea latte on a warm day.
Ingredients
Tea
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup dried butterfly pea flowers
Flavorings
- Sweetener (honey or sugar), to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Serving
- Ice cubes
- 1/2 cup milk or non-dairy alternative
- Lemon slices or edible flowers, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Steep the flowers: Boil 2 cups of water then remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup of dried butterfly pea flowers to the hot water and steep for 10 minutes to extract color and flavor.
- Strain the tea: Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the flowers out, collecting the vibrant blue liquid into a bowl or pitcher.
- Add sweetener and lemon: While the tea is still warm, stir in sweetener to your taste and add fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice changes the tea color from blue to a beautiful purple.
- Cool the tea: Let the tea cool to room temperature before serving to avoid melting the ice and diluting the flavor.
- Assemble the latte: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the ice.
- Top with milk: Gently pour your choice of milk or non-dairy alternative over the tea, creating a creamy latte effect. Stir lightly to combine flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Add lemon slices or edible flowers as garnish if desired, then serve immediately to enjoy the vibrant colors and refreshing taste.
Notes
- Use dried butterfly pea flowers for a more intense color and flavor.
- Adjust the sweetener amount to your preference, or substitute with your favorite natural sweetener.
- Non-dairy milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk work wonderfully for a vegan option.
- The tea changes color dramatically with lemon juice due to pH balance—experiment with the amount to achieve your preferred shade.
- Serve immediately after assembling for the best visual and taste experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
