How to Make Refreshing Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

Discover the vibrant flavor of Butterfly Pea Milk Tea with our easy, refreshing recipe perfect for a cool, soothing drink anytime. This naturally blue tea delights not just the eyes but also provides a gentle floral taste balanced by creamy milk, resulting in a unique beverage that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re looking for a new twist on classic milk tea or a stunning drink to brighten your day, this recipe has you covered with simple ingredients and an inviting charm.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bright and Beautiful: The natural blue color of butterfly pea flowers creates a strikingly vibrant tea that’s sure to impress.
  • Easy and Quick: With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this refreshing drink in minutes.
  • All-Natural Ingredients: No artificial colors or flavors, just pure butterfly pea flowers combined with creamy milk or milk alternatives.
  • Versatile Flavor: Mild floral notes blend seamlessly with the richness of milk, appealing to all taste preferences.
  • Hydrating and Soothing: Perfect for a relaxing break, whether hot or iced, it’s an ideal calming beverage.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Butterfly Pea Milk Tea recipe plays an important role—in color, texture, or flavor. These easy-to-find essentials keep the process simple and ensure every sip is perfectly balanced.

  • Butterfly Pea Flowers: Dried or fresh, these flowers provide the signature vibrant blue hue and subtle earthy flavor.
  • Hot Water: Used to steep the flowers, allowing the color and flavor to infuse fully.
  • Milk or Milk Alternative: Creaminess comes from whole milk, oat milk, or any preferred plant-based milk, softening the tea’s natural floral taste.
  • Sweetener: Sugar, honey, or agave syrup add a gentle sweetness that complements the earthy notes without overpowering.
  • Ice Cubes (optional): For a refreshing iced version that’s perfect for warm days.

Variations for Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

This recipe is a blank canvas for fun and flavor combinations. Feel free to customize your Butterfly Pea Milk Tea to match your mood, ingredients on hand, or dietary needs with these easy variations.

  • Vegan Version: Swap dairy milk for coconut, almond, or soy milk to keep it creamy but plant-based.
  • Lemon Twist: Add a splash of fresh lemon juice to change the tea’s color from blue to purple with a tangy kick.
  • Bubble Tea Style: Toss in some tapioca pearls or fruit jellies to give it a fun, chewy texture.
  • Herbal Blend: Combine butterfly pea flowers with mint or chamomile for added aroma and health benefits.
  • Chilled Float: Top your iced milk tea with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
How to Make Refreshing Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

How to Make Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

Step 1: Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers

Start by boiling about one cup of water, then pour it over a tablespoon of dried butterfly pea flowers. Let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes until the water turns a deep, vibrant blue. Strain the flowers out to reveal the clear, gorgeous tea.

Step 2: Sweeten the Tea

While still warm, stir in your choice of sweetener. Adjust the sweetness to your liking; start with one teaspoon and add more if needed. Sweetening while warm helps dissolve the sugar or honey evenly.

Step 3: Add Milk

Pour in half a cup of milk or a milk alternative gently into the tea, watching as the color transforms into a milky, rich blue-purple shade. Stir to combine the flavors beautifully.

Step 4: Serve Hot or Iced

If you prefer it warm, serve immediately in your favorite mug. For a refreshing iced version, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the tea over them, perfect for a hot afternoon.

Pro Tips for Making Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

  • Use Quality Flowers: Choose fresh or high-grade dried butterfly pea flowers for the most vibrant color and clean flavor.
  • Steeping Time Matters: Steep longer for stronger color and taste, but avoid bitterness by not oversteeping.
  • Experiment with Milk: Whole milk gives richness, whereas oat or almond milk offers a lighter, plant-based option.
  • Color Change Trick: Add a splash of lemon juice after milk for a magical color shift to purple that’s sure to wow guests.
  • Balance Sweetness: Sweetener levels vary by personal taste, so start small and increase gradually.

How to Serve Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

Garnishes

Elevate your drink with a few butterfly pea flowers floating on top or a thin slice of lemon placed on the rim of the glass for both visual flair and a hint of citrus aroma.

Side Dishes

This milk tea pairs wonderfully with light, fresh snacks such as cucumber sandwiches, tropical fruit platters, or coconut macarons, balancing the floral notes with subtle savory or sweet bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your butterfly pea milk tea in clear glasses or mason jars to showcase its incredible color, and add colorful reusable straws or edible flowers for a festive, Instagram-worthy touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover butterfly pea tea concentrate can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, saving prep time for your next refreshing cup.

Freezing

Freeze the brewed tea in ice cube trays to keep on hand for quick iced drinks or to add a gentle cooling without diluting the flavor.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated tea gently on the stove or in the microwave before adding milk to maintain the integrity of flavor and color—avoid boiling once milk is added.

FAQs

What is Butterfly Pea Milk Tea?

Butterfly Pea Milk Tea is a bright blue beverage made from steeping butterfly pea flowers, sweetening the tea, and mixing it with milk or milk alternatives for a creamy, floral drink.

Is Butterfly Pea Tea safe to drink?

Yes, butterfly pea tea is safe and commonly consumed in Southeast Asia and elsewhere, known for its antioxidant properties and natural coloring without additives.

Can I use fresh butterfly pea flowers?

Absolutely! Fresh flowers can be used, but dried flowers are more widely available and often have a stronger, more consistent flavor and color.

How can I make Butterfly Pea Milk Tea vegan?

Simply substitute dairy milk with your favorite plant-based milk like oat, almond, or coconut milk, keeping it creamy and plant-friendly.

Why does the color change with lemon?

The blue pigment in butterfly pea flowers reacts with acidic lemon juice, shifting the color to a vibrant purple or pink, creating a fun and visual transformation.

Final Thoughts

Making your own Butterfly Pea Milk Tea is a joyful experience that combines stunning color with smooth, soothing flavor. This easy recipe brings a bit of magic to your routine beverage lineup and invites endless creativity for customization. So go ahead, brew a cup, and savor this beautiful infusion—you’re in for a delightful treat that tastes and looks incredible every time.

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Butterfly Pea Milk Tea

Butterfly Pea Milk Tea is a vibrant and refreshing beverage made by steeping natural butterfly pea flowers to create a bright blue tea, sweetening it lightly, and blending with creamy milk or plant-based alternatives. This visually stunning drink offers delicate floral notes balanced with milk’s richness, perfect served hot or iced for a soothing, hydrating treat.

  • Author: Mary
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Steeping
  • Cuisine: Southeast Asian
  • Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Tea Base

  • 1 tablespoon dried butterfly pea flowers (or fresh equivalent)
  • 1 cup hot water

Sweetener

  • 1 teaspoon sugar, honey, or agave syrup (adjust to taste)

Milk

  • 1/2 cup whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, or preferred milk alternative

Optional

  • Ice cubes (for iced version)

Instructions

  1. Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers: Boil about one cup of water, then pour it over a tablespoon of dried butterfly pea flowers. Let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes until the water turns a deep, vibrant blue. Strain out the flowers to reveal the clear tea.
  2. Sweeten the Tea: While still warm, stir in your choice of sweetener, starting with one teaspoon. Adjust sweetness to your preference, dissolving it evenly while the tea is hot.
  3. Add Milk: Gently pour in half a cup of milk or milk alternative, watching the tea color shift to a milky blue-purple shade. Stir to combine flavors thoroughly.
  4. Serve Hot or Iced: For hot tea, serve immediately in a mug. For iced tea, fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the tea over them for a refreshing cold beverage.

Notes

  • Use fresh or high-quality dried butterfly pea flowers for the best color and flavor.
  • Do not oversteep to avoid bitterness—5 to 10 minutes is ideal.
  • Experiment with different types of milk to suit dietary preferences and flavor.
  • Add a splash of lemon juice after adding milk for a magical color change from blue to purple.
  • Adjust sweetener gradually to suit your taste.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240 ml)
  • Calories: 80
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 40 mg
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg

Keywords: butterfly pea tea, milk tea, blue tea, flower tea, iced milk tea, vegan milk tea, floral drink, natural food coloring

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