If you are craving a stunningly beautiful and refreshingly creamy beverage, the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is your new best friend. This drink perfectly blends the vibrant natural blue hues of butterfly pea flowers with the smooth, frothy goodness of milk and just the right touch of sweetness. It’s light, Insta-worthy, and super easy to make, making it a delightful treat for warm days or whenever you want a little floral-inspired magic in your cup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the visual charm and delivering the layered flavors that make this drink so irresistible.
- Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers: These provide that breathtaking deep blue color and a gentle earthy floral taste.
- Hot Water: Essential for steeping the flowers to extract their vibrant pigment and delicate flavor.
- Milk: Adds creamy richness and a lovely frothy texture; you can use dairy or any plant-based milk you love.
- Sweetener (honey or to taste): Balances the floral notes with subtle sweetness, customizable to your preference.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the drink perfectly, keeping it refreshingly cool and visually appealing.
- Lemon Juice (optional): A splash creates a fun color change and adds a bright, tangy twist.
How to Make Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Step 1: Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers
Start by boiling water until it’s bubbling hot—this is crucial to fully unlock the color and flavor locked inside the dried butterfly pea flowers. Pour the hot water over the flowers in a heat-proof cup and watch as the water gently transforms into a mesmerizing deep blue shade. Let them steep for 5 to 7 minutes to achieve the richest hue, then strain the tea into another container and allow it to cool to room temperature. This step builds the foundation of your latte’s stunning visual allure.
Step 2: Sweeten Your Tea
While the butterfly pea flower tea is still warm, stir in your sweetener of choice—honey is a favorite for its natural richness. Make sure to mix vigorously until the sweetener is completely dissolved, as this ensures every sip is perfectly balanced between floral and sweet.
Step 3: Froth Your Milk
Choose your preferred milk, whether dairy or a plant-based alternative like oat or almond. Froth it up with a milk frother, a vigorous shake in a sealed jar, or even a quick whirl in the blender. The goal is to create airy, light froth that will float beautifully atop the iced tea, adding a luscious creamy dimension.
Step 4: Assemble the Latte
Grab a tall glass and fill it with ice cubes to keep your latte chilled and refreshing. Slowly pour in the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the ice. Then, gently spoon or pour the frothed milk over the top to form those attractive, distinct layers. The contrast between the vivid blue and the creamy white is simply captivating.
Step 5: Add a Citrus Twist
If you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle a tablespoon of lemon juice over your latte. This not only adds a tangy brightness in flavor but also causes the tea to morph from blue to a vibrant purple-pink, creating a truly magical effect that will wow both your eyes and your taste buds.
How to Serve Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Garnishes
Take your presentation up a notch by garnishing your latte with fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers. Nestling them on top of the frothy layer adds sophistication and a hint of floral aroma. You can also sprinkle a little edible glitter or a small sprig of mint for an extra splash of color and freshness.
Side Dishes
This latte pairs wonderfully with light, delicate treats such as buttery shortbread cookies, lemon madeleines, or coconut macaroons. These subtly sweet options won’t overpower the gentle floral notes, making your teatime experience perfectly balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider layering the latte in a clear glass jar or a vintage teacup to highlight the beautiful color gradients. For a fun twist, serve it alongside a small dish of edible flowers or a citrus twist on the side. Using mason jars with colorful straws can also amp up the playful, Instagram-ready vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover butterfly pea flower tea, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep it separate from the milk froth so that you can maintain fresh texture and flavor when you’re ready to assemble your next latte.
Freezing
Freezing the finished latte is not recommended, as the texture of the frothed milk will suffer. However, you can freeze brewed butterfly pea flower tea in ice cube trays to use later in drinks, smoothies, or cocktails, adding a fun pop of color anywhere you like.
Reheating
For a warm twist on this recipe, gently reheat the brewed tea and then add warmed milk and sweetener. Avoid overheating froth as it will lose its creamy texture, so it’s best to froth fresh milk before serving.
FAQs
Can I use fresh butterfly pea flowers instead of dried ones?
Absolutely! Fresh butterfly pea flowers work beautifully. Just use about double the amount since they are lighter and contain more moisture. The steeping process remains the same.
What are some good milk alternatives for this latte?
Great options include almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, and soy milk. Each brings a slightly different flavor and creaminess, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite.
Is the color of the tea permanent?
The bright blue color can change when acid is added, like lemon juice, turning purple or pink. Without acid, the color stays vibrant, making this tea a natural pH indicator and a fun drink to experiment with.
How sweet should I make the latte?
Sweetness is totally up to your taste! Start with a tablespoon of honey or your preferred sweetener and adjust as you prepare the drink. The floral tea itself is mild, so the sweetness helps enhance the overall flavor.
Can I make this latte hot instead of iced?
Definitely! Simply combine the brewed butterfly pea flower tea with hot frothed milk and sweetener, serving it steaming for a cozy floral latte perfect any season.
Final Thoughts
This Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is more than just a drink; it’s a little celebration in a glass that invites you to slow down and savor a naturally beautiful flavor experience. Whether you want to impress guests or just treat yourself to something unique and refreshing, this recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite. Give it a try, and let the vibrant colors and creamy layers brighten up your day.
Print
Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (includes steeping and cooling time)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A visually stunning and refreshing Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte that combines the vibrant deep blue tea with creamy frothed milk, lightly sweetened with honey and optionally brightened with a splash of lemon juice for a unique floral iced latte experience.
Ingredients
Butterfly Pea Tea
- 2 tablespoons Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers
- 2 cups Hot Water (boiled)
Latte Base
- 1 cup Milk (dairy or plant-based such as almond, coconut, or oat milk)
- 2 tablespoons Sweetener (honey or to taste)
- 1 cup Ice Cubes
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional)
Instructions
- Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers: Boil water until bubbling and pour it over the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heat-proof cup. Allow the flowers to steep for 5-7 minutes until the water turns a deep, vibrant blue. Strain the tea into another container and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Sweeten the Tea: While the tea is still warm, add honey or your preferred sweetener. Stir thoroughly until completely dissolved to ensure even sweetness throughout the latte.
- Froth the Milk: Select your preferred milk, whether dairy or plant-based. Froth the milk using a milk frother, shake it vigorously in a jar, or blend it until light and airy to create a creamy topping for the latte.
- Prepare the Glass: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, which will keep the latte refreshingly chilled and maintain the layered aesthetic.
- Assemble the Latte: Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the ice, followed by gently adding the frothed milk on top. This layering technique provides a beautiful visual contrast between the deep blue tea and the creamy milk foam.
- Add a Citrus Finish: For an optional but delightful flavor twist, drizzle lemon juice over the latte’s frothy top; this will cause a magical color transformation from blue to purple and enhance the floral notes.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers on the froth for an elegant and decorative presentation before serving immediately.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness according to your taste preference; alternatives to honey include agave syrup or simple syrup.
- For vegan or lactose-intolerant versions, use plant-based milks like oat or almond milk.
- Adding lemon juice not only enhances flavor but also changes the tea’s color to a lovely purple hue due to its natural pH sensitivity.
- Serve immediately after assembling to maintain the contrast of layers and iced freshness.
