If you’ve been craving a vibrant, refreshing, and delightfully creamy drink to brighten your day, this Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is exactly what you need. This beverage combines the mesmerizing deep blue hue of butterfly pea flowers with the smoothness of frothy milk and a hint of honey’s sweetness, creating a visually stunning and delicious treat. It’s not only a feast for your palate but also for your eyes, and perfect for those hot afternoons when you want something soothing yet exciting. Once you try this unique latte, it’s bound to become a favorite in your repertoire of special drinks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtful selection of ingredients, each adding a special layer of flavor, texture, or color to make your drink both delicious and beautiful.
- Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers: These vibrant petals are the star of the show, lending that unforgettable deep blue color and subtle earthy flavor.
- Hot Water: Essential for steeping the butterfly pea flowers to extract their full color and fragrance.
- Milk (dairy or plant-based): Adds creamy richness and a velvety froth that balances the tea’s floral tones.
- Sweetener (honey or to taste): Enhances the natural flavors with gentle sweetness, customizable to your liking.
- Ice Cubes: Keep your latte perfectly chilled and refreshing under the summer sun or anytime you want a cool drink.
- Lemon Juice (optional): Adds a zingy brightness and transforms the tea’s color for an extra wow factor.
How to Make Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Step 1: Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers
Start by boiling water until it reaches a rolling boil, then pour it carefully over the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heat-proof cup. Allow the flowers to steep for 5 to 7 minutes, and watch as the water blooms into that captivating deep blue color. Once the flavor and color have fully infused, strain the tea through a fine mesh or sieve into a clean container, then set it aside to cool down to room temperature.
Step 2: Sweeten the Tea
While the tea is still warm, add your honey or preferred sweetener and stir vigorously until it dissolves completely. This step ensures the natural sweetness melds smoothly with the floral notes, creating a balanced and inviting base for your latte.
Step 3: Froth the Milk
Next, pick your milk—whether it’s creamy dairy, almond, coconut, or oat milk—and give it some love by frothing it until light and airy. You can use a milk frother for the easiest result, shake it up vigorously in a sealed jar, or simply blend it for a luscious froth that will crown your latte beautifully.
Step 4: Assemble the Latte
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to keep your drink refreshingly cold. Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the ice, allowing the rich blue color to settle. Then, gently add the frothed milk on top, watching it create such a stunning layered effect that will impress anyone lucky enough to be sharing your table.
Step 5: Add a Citrus Kick (Optional)
For a playful twist and a pop of color, drizzle some fresh lemon juice over your latte’s frothy surface. This not only adds a pleasant tang but also magically turns the blue tea into a vibrant purple, making the drink even more exciting and Instagram-worthy.
Step 6: Garnish and Enjoy
To complete your creation, sprinkle a few fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers on top of the froth, giving your latte an elegant, floral finish. Now, your Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is ready to sip, savor, and share!
How to Serve Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Garnishes
Adding delicate butterfly pea flowers as a garnish not only elevates the visual appeal but also hints at the wonderful floral flavor inside the glass. You can also experiment with edible flowers or a tiny dusting of cinnamon for a subtle twist. These details turn serving into an experience worthy of a café visit from the comfort of home.
Side Dishes
This latte pairs beautifully with light, subtly flavored treats such as almond biscotti, buttery shortbread, or a fresh fruit salad. The mild sweetness and floral notes of the drink enhance these accompaniments without overpowering them, making your snack time feel truly special.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, try layering the tea and milk in a clear glass to showcase the stunning color gradient. You might also serve it in a mason jar with a colorful straw for a casual vibe or use vintage teacups for a whimsical afternoon tea feel. Presentation is key to making this drink a memorable delight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover butterfly pea flower tea, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep it chilled and ready to be turned into a fresh latte or an iced refreshment whenever the mood strikes.
Freezing
While the tea itself can be frozen in ice cube trays for later use—to add color and flavor to other drinks—the fully assembled latte does not freeze well due to the milk froth. Using frozen butterfly pea flower ice cubes in iced drinks is a clever way to keep your beverage beautifully tinted and chilled without dilution.
Reheating
This iced tea latte is best enjoyed cold, so reheating is not recommended as it diminishes the frothy texture and the cooling refreshment factor. However, if you prefer a warm version, gently heat the milk and mix in freshly brewed butterfly pea tea to maintain the integrity of flavors.
FAQs
What makes butterfly pea flowers so unique in tea?
Butterfly pea flowers are prized for their vibrant blue pigment, which naturally changes color with pH changes—like when lemon juice is added—making the tea a visual delight along with its mildly earthy, floral flavor. This characteristic sets them apart from most traditional teas.
Can I use any kind of milk for this latte?
Absolutely! Whether you prefer dairy, almond, oat, coconut, or soy milk, all work wonderfully. Each variety adds a slightly different creaminess and flavor profile, so feel free to experiment until you find your favorite combo.
How sweet should I make the latte?
Sweetness is totally up to your taste. Starting with 2 tablespoons of honey is a great baseline, but you can reduce or increase the amount or try alternate sweeteners like agave or maple syrup depending on your preference and dietary needs.
Is the lemon juice necessary?
The lemon juice is optional but highly recommended if you enjoy a tangy twist that also changes the tea’s color to a gorgeous purple. It adds a refreshing layer of brightness but the latte is delightful even without it.
Can I make this latte in advance for a party?
You can prepare the butterfly pea tea and sweeten it in advance, store it chilled, then froth the milk and assemble the latte just before serving for the freshest taste and best presentation. This method is perfect for impressing guests without the last-minute rush.
Final Thoughts
Inviting this Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe into your kitchen is like bringing home a little cup of sunshine and artistry. It’s simple to make but offers such a rewarding experience in both flavor and appearance. Whether you want a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up or a special treat to impress friends, this recipe will quickly become a beloved staple. So go ahead, brew a batch, and let your taste buds dive into the enchanting world of butterfly pea flowers!
Print
Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant and refreshing Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte that combines the natural beauty and health benefits of butterfly pea flower tea with creamy milk and a touch of sweetness. This chilled beverage features a stunning blue hue that can be transformed with a splash of lemon juice, making it a delightful and visually appealing drink perfect for warm days or as an elegant teatime treat.
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 2 tablespoons dried butterfly pea flowers
- 2 cups hot water
Milk and Sweetener
- 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based like almond, coconut, or oat milk)
- 2 tablespoons sweetener (honey or to taste)
Serving
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: Begin by boiling water until it reaches a bubbling boil, then pour it over the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heat-proof cup or container. Let the flowers steep for 5 to 7 minutes, observing as the water changes to a deep, vibrant blue color. After steeping, strain the tea to remove the flowers and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Sweeten the Tea: While the tea is still warm but not hot, add honey or your chosen sweetener. Stir vigorously until the sweetener completely dissolves to ensure an even flavor throughout the tea.
- Froth the Milk: Select your preferred milk—whether dairy or plant-based—and froth it using a milk frother, shake it vigorously in a sealed jar, or blend it until it becomes light and airy. The frothy milk adds creaminess and a lovely texture to the latte.
- Assemble the Latte: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to chill the drink thoroughly. Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the ice, then carefully add the frothed milk on top. This layering technique creates a beautiful separation of colors and textures.
- Add Lemon Juice (Optional): For an extra touch of flavor and visual effect, drizzle lemon juice over the top of the latte. The acidity causes the blue tea to shift to a vibrant purple or pinkish hue, adding a dramatic flair.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish your iced latte with a few fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers placed atop the foamy milk layer for an elegant presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing and visually stunning tea latte.
Notes
- Steeping time can be adjusted depending on desired tea strength; longer steeping yields a more intense flavor.
- You can substitute sweetener types as preferred, such as agave syrup, maple syrup, or sugar.
- Plant-based milks may froth differently; almond and oat milk tend to froth well while coconut milk may be creamier but less frothy.
- Add lemon juice just before serving to preserve the bright layered appearance.
- This recipe can be served hot by skipping the ice and serving immediately after frothing the milk.
- Butterfly pea flower tea is caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants.
