The Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is a dazzling and refreshing beverage that combines the vibrant, natural blue hue of butterfly pea flowers with the creamy, soothing texture of your favorite milk. This tea latte is much more than just a pretty drink—it’s a delightful balance of floral notes, mild sweetness, and a hint of citrus that invigorates your senses. Whether you’re looking for a calming afternoon pick-me-up or a stunning beverage to impress guests, this recipe is simple to master and endlessly enjoyable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a distinct role in building the unique taste, color, and texture that make this drink so unforgettable. From the intense blue color of the butterfly pea flowers to the frothy milk that softens each sip, these essentials come together effortlessly.
- Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers: These vibrant petals give the tea its signature deep blue color and subtle earthy flavor.
- Hot Water: Necessary for steeping and unlocking the rich flavor and color from the dried flowers.
- Milk: Adds creaminess and body to the latte; choose dairy or plant-based options depending on your preference.
- Sweetener (Honey or to taste): Balances the earthy tea with gentle sweetness, customizable to your liking.
- Ice Cubes: Essential for chilling the latte and creating those crisp layers.
- Lemon Juice (optional): A splash brings a beautiful color shift and a burst of brightness that elevates the drink.
How to Make Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Step 1: Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers
Start by boiling fresh water until it’s bubbling hot. Pour the boiling water over the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heat-proof cup. Let them steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Watch in wonder as the water transitions into a stunning deep blue color. When the flavor and color reach their peak, strain out the flowers and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Sweeten the Tea
While the tea is still warm, stir in your chosen sweetener—honey works beautifully here. Mix vigorously until the sweetener is completely dissolved. This ensures every sip has a lovely, balanced sweetness that complements the floral notes perfectly.
Step 3: Froth the Milk
Pick your milk—whether it’s creamy whole milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk—and froth it to create light, airy foam. You can use a milk frother, shake the milk vigorously in a sealed jar, or blend it until frothy. This step will give your latte the luscious, smooth texture that contrasts wonderfully with the chilled tea.
Step 4: Assemble the Latte
Fill a tall glass generously with ice cubes. Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the ice, allowing the crisp chill to saturate the glass. Next, gently layer the frothed milk on top. The careful addition helps form beautiful, distinct layers that make this drink such a visual treat.
Step 5: Add the Final Touch
If you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle a bit of lemon juice over the top. The acidity reacts with the butterfly pea tea, shifting its blue color towards purple or vibrant pink—adding an element of surprise and extra zing to every sip.
How to Serve Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few dried or fresh butterfly pea flowers on top of the frothy milk layer is a lovely finishing touch. Not only does it highlight the key ingredient visually, but it also adds a subtle floral hint to the aroma, making the experience more immersive.
Side Dishes
This tea latte pairs perfectly with light snacks like buttery shortbread cookies, coconut macaroons, or a simple fruit salad. These accompaniments won’t overpower the delicate flavors of the latte and provide a delightful contrast in texture.
Creative Ways to Present
For a truly memorable presentation, serve the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe in clear glassware so the layers and color shifts can shine. Consider using a tall, slim glass or even mason jars for a rustic charm. Adding colorful paper straws or edible flowers around the rim can also amp up the aesthetic appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover butterfly pea tea after preparing the latte, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. This keeps the vibrant color and fresh flavor intact. For best results, assemble the latte fresh before serving.
Freezing
Frozen butterfly pea tea cubes are a wonderful idea for future batches—just pour the tea into an ice cube tray and freeze. These cubes can chill your tea latte without diluting the color or flavor, allowing you to enjoy this vibrant drink anytime.
Reheating
The Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is designed to be enjoyed cold, so reheating isn’t usually necessary. However, if you want a warm twist, gently warm the brewed tea (without milk), then add warmed milk and sweetener for a comforting hot latte experience.
FAQs
What does butterfly pea flower tea taste like?
Butterfly pea flower tea has a mild, earthy flavor with subtle floral notes. It’s not overpowering, which makes it perfect for pairing with milk and sweeteners to create a well-balanced latte.
Can I use any kind of milk?
Absolutely! Dairy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or any plant-based milk will work well. Each type of milk brings its own unique creaminess and flavor, so feel free to experiment.
Why does the color change when I add lemon?
The color-changing effect happens because the butterfly pea flower contains a natural pH-sensitive pigment called anthocyanin. When the acidic lemon juice comes into contact with the blue tea, the pH changes and shifts the color to purple or pink.
Can I make this tea latte without sweetener?
Yes, you can enjoy this latte without any sweetener if you prefer. The natural flavors of the tea and milk still create a refreshing and delicious drink, but many people like to add a bit of sweetness to balance the earthiness.
How long does the iced latte stay fresh?
Once assembled, it’s best enjoyed immediately for optimal flavor and texture. If you need to store the components, keep the tea and milk separate and combine them just before serving within 48 hours.
Final Thoughts
There is truly something magical about making the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe at home. It’s easy, fun, and endlessly rewarding to watch this beautiful drink come together in brilliant blues and creamy whites. I hope you give it a try soon and discover your own favorite way to enjoy this vibrant, refreshing beverage with friends and family.
Print
Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte is a visually stunning and delicious beverage that combines the natural vibrant blue hue of butterfly pea flowers with creamy, frothy milk and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for a hot day, this latte is lightly sweetened and can be customized with your choice of dairy or plant-based milk, served chilled over ice with an optional tangy drizzle of lemon juice to create a magical color-changing effect.
Ingredients
Tea
- 2 tablespoons Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers
- 2 cups Hot Water
Milk & Sweetener
- 1 cup Milk (dairy or plant-based such as almond, coconut, or oat milk)
- 2 tablespoons Sweetener (honey or to taste)
Serving
- 1 cup Ice Cubes
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional)
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: Boil water until bubbling and pour it over the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heat-proof cup. Steep for 5-7 minutes, allowing the water to turn a deep blue. Strain the tea into another container and let it cool to room temperature.
- Add Sweetener: While the tea is still warm, stir in honey or your preferred sweetener vigorously until completely dissolved to ensure even sweetness.
- Froth the Milk: Select your preferred milk—dairy or plant-based—and froth it using a milk frother, shake it vigorously in a jar, or blend it until light and airy to achieve a creamy texture.
- Prepare the Glass: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to keep your latte refreshingly cold.
- Assemble the Latte: Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the ice, then carefully add the frothed milk on top to create beautiful, distinct layers.
- Add Lemon Juice (Optional): Drizzle lemon juice over the top of the latte for a burst of tartness and to watch the magical color change from blue to purple.
- Garnish and Serve: For an elegant finishing touch, garnish with fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers on the frothy milk before serving.
Notes
- Use boiling water for optimal extraction of the butterfly pea flower’s color and flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness according to your taste preference.
- Plant-based milks such as almond, coconut, or oat milk work wonderfully if you prefer a vegan or lactose-free option.
- The optional lemon juice adds a visually striking color change and a tart flavor contrast.
- Serve immediately for the best layered effect and freshness.
- For a stronger herbal flavor, steep the flowers a little longer, but avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness.
