If you are looking for a refreshing and visually stunning drink to brighten up your day, the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is exactly what you need. This delightful beverage blends the earthy, floral notes of butterfly pea flower tea with the creamy smoothness of milk, all brought to life with a magical color change when lemon juice is added. Perfect for warm afternoons or any time you want a beautiful, cooling treat, this recipe is simple to make and utterly charming to sip.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of straightforward ingredients is all it takes to create this vibrant and delicious latte. Each element plays a special role, from the deep blue hue of the butterfly pea flowers to the creamy texture of the milk and the bright citrusy twist of lemon.
- Butterfly pea flowers: The star ingredient that gives the tea its enchanting blue color and delicate herbal flavor.
- Water: Essential for steeping the flowers to release their natural color and taste.
- Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, zesty tang and triggers a striking color change from blue to purple.
- Sweetener (honey or sugar): Balances the earthy flavors with just a touch of sweetness, customizable to your preference.
- Milk (or non-dairy alternative): Provides creamy richness and rounds out the floral tea with velvety texture.
- Ice cubes: Keeps the latte refreshingly chilled and perfect for warm weather enjoyment.
How to Make Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Step 1: Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers
Start by boiling 2 cups of water, then remove it from the heat. Add 1/4 cup of dried butterfly pea flowers and let them steep for about 10 minutes. This allows the tea to infuse, turning the water a beautiful, vibrant blue while releasing the delicate earthy flavor.
Step 2: Strain the Tea
After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl or pitcher. Removing the flowers ensures a smooth tea base for your latte.
Step 3: Sweeten and Add Lemon Juice
While the tea is still warm, stir in your preferred sweetener—honey or sugar—to taste. Then add fresh lemon juice, which not only adds brightness but creates a stunning transformation as the blue tea shifts to a lovely purple hue. This color change is a delightful part of the experience, so don’t skip the lemon!
Step 4: Cool the Tea
Let the sweetened and colored butterfly pea flower tea cool to room temperature. This step is key to avoid melting the ice too quickly and diluting your latte.
Step 5: Assemble Over Ice
Fill tall glasses with ice cubes, then pour the cooled tea over the ice. It’s refreshing just like this, but we’re not done yet!
Step 6: Top with Milk and Garnish
Slowly pour milk or your favorite non-dairy alternative over the iced tea, then gently stir to create a swirl effect of colors mixing together. Garnish with lemon slices or edible flowers for an extra special touch, and your gorgeous iced drink is ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe even more eye-catching, adding lemon slices or edible flowers on top is a wonderful choice. They not only elevate the presentation but also complement the tea’s floral and citrus flavors.
Side Dishes
This latte pairs beautifully with light, fresh snacks. Think buttery shortbread cookies, lemon pound cake, or a simple fruit salad. These subtle flavors won’t overpower the unique tea, making for a perfectly balanced snack or afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning twist, try layering the tea and milk by pouring the milk gently over a spoon to create a distinct separation of colors before stirring. You can also serve it in clear glass jars or stemless wine glasses to show off the dramatic color shift and creamy swirls. Adding a stainless steel reusable straw adds a touch of eco-friendly sophistication.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover tea, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the milk separate until you are ready to assemble your latte to maintain freshness and prevent curdling.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for the prepared latte because the milk can separate and lose its creamy texture when thawed. However, you can freeze the plain butterfly pea flower tea concentrate without sweetener or lemon juice for up to a month and defrost it for quick use later.
Reheating
The Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is best served cold. If you want a warm version, gently reheat the tea concentrate alone before adding milk and skipping the ice. Avoid boiling once milk is added to prevent curdling and to preserve the delicate flavor.
FAQs
What does butterfly pea flower tea taste like?
Butterfly pea flower tea has a mild, earthy flavor with subtle floral notes, making it an excellent base for creative teas and lattes without overpowering sweetness or bitterness.
Can I use fresh butterfly pea flowers instead of dried?
Yes, fresh butterfly pea flowers can be used, but you might need to adjust the quantity since dried flowers are more concentrated. Fresh flowers often yield a lighter color and flavor.
Is the color change guaranteed with any lemon juice?
Yes, the acidity in lemon juice triggers the vibrant color change from blue to purple or pink, which is a signature visual effect of this recipe. Freshly squeezed lemon juice works best for a bright shift.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Using plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or coconut milk keeps the latte vegan-friendly and just as delicious, without compromising on creaminess.
What other sweeteners can I use besides honey or sugar?
You can experiment with agave syrup, maple syrup, or stevia substitutes to adjust sweetness according to your taste and dietary preferences without losing the balance of flavors in the tea latte.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe that captivates both the eyes and the palate. With its gorgeous color transformations and refreshing yet creamy flavor, this drink is bound to become a favorite whenever you need a little something extraordinary. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find yourself wanting to share this magical recipe with everyone you know.
Print
Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and visually stunning iced latte made from butterfly pea flower tea, lightly sweetened and brightened with lemon juice, then topped with creamy milk or a non-dairy alternative. Perfect for a cool, colorful beverage with a natural floral taste.
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup dried butterfly pea flowers
- Sweetener (honey or sugar), to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For Serving
- Ice cubes
- 1/2 cup milk or non-dairy alternative (such as almond or oat milk)
- Lemon slices or edible flowers for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: Boil 2 cups of water and then remove it from heat. Add 1/4 cup of dried butterfly pea flowers to the hot water and steep for 10 minutes to extract the vibrant color and floral flavor.
- Strain the Flowers: Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the tea into a bowl or pitcher, discarding the spent flowers to leave a clear, blue infusion.
- Add Sweetener and Lemon: While the tea is still warm, stir in your preferred sweetener (such as honey or sugar) to taste, then add fresh lemon juice to the tea. The lemon juice will change the color from blue to a beautiful purple hue.
- Cool the Tea: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before proceeding to preserve the fresh flavors and prevent dilution when added to ice.
- Assemble the Latte: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the ice, then top with 1/2 cup of milk or your chosen non-dairy milk alternative. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with lemon slices or edible flowers for an inviting presentation, then serve immediately for a refreshing, colorful iced tea latte.
Notes
- You can adjust sweetness according to your preference, starting with 1 tablespoon and increasing if needed.
- Non-dairy milk options like almond, oat, or coconut milk work well for a vegan version.
- The color transformation from blue to purple is due to the acidity of the lemon juice reacting with butterfly pea flower pigment.
- To make a warm version, serve the tea hot without ice and add warm milk instead.
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for better flavor and color effect.
