If you’re looking for a refreshing and visually stunning drink that feels both exotic and effortlessly elegant, the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is a perfect choice. This vibrant, naturally blue latte transforms with a splash of lemon into a stunning purple swirl, delighting your senses with floral notes, creamy texture, and just the right touch of sweetness. Whether you’re sipping it on a warm afternoon or serving it as a fancy, eye-catching beverage for friends, this recipe combines simplicity and beauty in a glass.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in the Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe plays a crucial role, from the mesmerizing blue hue to the creamy, smooth finish. These simple staples come together to create a taste and texture that’s both exotic and comforting.
- Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers: These edible flowers infuse the water with a vibrant blue color and a subtle earthy flavor that’s the star of the show.
- Hot Water: Essential for steeping the dried flowers properly to extract their vivid color and delicate taste.
- Milk: Adds creamy richness and frothy texture; feel free to use any dairy or plant-based alternative like almond, oat, or coconut milk for your preferred taste.
- Sweetener (Honey or to taste): Balances the floral and earthy notes with just the right hint of natural sweetness, customizable to your liking.
- Ice Cubes: Keep the drink perfectly chilled and refreshing, ready to cool you down instantly.
- Lemon Juice (optional): Adds a tangy twist that magically changes the tea’s blue to purple, creating a delightful visual effect and fresh flavor lift.
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 this water over the dried butterfly pea flowers placed in a heat-proof cup or teapot. Let the flowers steep for 5 to 7 minutes, during which you’ll notice the water transforming into a mesmerizing deep blue shade packed with floral aroma. After steeping, strain the tea into another container and allow it to cool to room temperature. This step ensures you get a flavorful, natural blue tea base for your latte.
Step 2: Sweeten the Tea
Once your tea has cooled slightly but is still warm, add honey or your preferred sweetener. Stir vigorously until the sweetener has dissolved completely. This little step is important to make sure the sweetness is evenly distributed, enhancing the natural flavor of the butterfly pea without overpowering it.
Step 3: Froth the Milk
Next, take your milk of choice and froth it until it becomes light and airy. Whether you use a milk frother, shake it vigorously in a sealed jar, or blend it briefly, frothing the milk will add luxurious texture and help create the beautiful layered effect in your latte.
Step 4: Assemble the Iced Latte
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to keep your drink refreshingly cold. Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the ice, then gently add the frothed milk on top. Pouring carefully ensures that the layers remain distinct, showcasing that beautiful contrast between vivid blue tea and creamy white milk.
Step 5: Add a Citrus Twist
For an extra magical touch, drizzle about a tablespoon of lemon juice over the top of your latte. This causes a charming color change from blue to purple right before your eyes, adding a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness and creaminess perfectly.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finally, consider garnishing your Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte with fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers on the frothy layer. It adds an elegant visual appeal that makes this drink ready to impress anyone who tries it.
How to Serve Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing with a few dried butterfly pea flowers or edible blooms not only heightens the aesthetic appeal but also subtly enhances the floral aroma. You can also sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter or add a thin lemon slice on the rim for a playful, fancy look.
Side Dishes
This iced latte pairs delightfully with light, refreshing snacks such as delicate finger sandwiches, coconut macaroons, or lemon shortbread cookies. These treats complement the floral and citrus notes without overwhelming the palate, perfect for an afternoon tea setting with friends.
Creative Ways to Present
For a bit of fun, serve your latte in a clear mason jar or a tall glass with a reusable straw to show off the stunning layers and color gradients. You might also create a butterfly-shaped ice cube with edible flowers frozen inside for an extra-special touch that ties perfectly into the theme.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the unsweetened butterfly pea flower tea separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the frothed milk separate for best texture upon reuse.
Freezing
While you can freeze the brewed tea without any problem, it’s best to avoid freezing milk or the fully assembled latte as they may separate and lose their creamy consistency once thawed.
Reheating
When you want to enjoy your latte again, gently warm the stored tea before mixing it with fresh milk. Avoid reheating the frothed milk to retain its fluffy texture; instead, froth fresh milk for serving.
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 a perfect canvas for sweeteners and citrus additions in this latte recipe.
Can I use any type of milk?
Absolutely! You can use dairy milk or plant-based alternatives like almond, oat, or coconut milk. Each offers a slightly different creaminess and flavor profile, so feel free to experiment based on your preference or dietary needs.
Why does lemon juice change the color of the tea?
The butterfly pea flower contains anthocyanins, which are natural pigments that react to the pH of liquids. Adding lemon juice increases acidity, causing the vibrant blue tea to shift to a beautiful purple color.
Is this drink suitable for kids?
Yes, it is! This drink contains no caffeine and is naturally colorful and flavorful. Just make sure to adjust the sweetness to suit younger palates and use a kid-friendly milk if desired.
Can I prepare this drink without a frother?
Definitely! You can shake milk vigorously in a tightly sealed jar or blend it quickly to create froth. A fancy machine is not necessary to enjoy the delightful texture of this latte.
Final Thoughts
The Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte Recipe is such a joy to make and share. Its unique colors, lovely flavors, and simple ingredients make it a standout drink that’s perfect for any occasion. I encourage you to whip up a batch, watch the magical color transformation, and enjoy every sip of this charming, refreshing latte. It’s one of those delightful little treats that brighten your day and impress anyone lucky enough to try it.
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: Fusion
Description
A refreshing and visually stunning Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte made by steeping vibrant butterfly pea flowers, sweetening the brew, and topping it with creamy frothed milk served over ice. This drink is a perfect chilled beverage with natural floral notes and customizable sweetness, ideal for warm days or as a unique alternative to traditional iced teas.
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 2 tablespoons Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers
- 2 cups Hot Water (boiling)
Sweetener
- 2 tablespoons Honey (or to taste)
Milk
- 1 cup Milk (dairy or plant-based such as almond, coconut, or oat milk)
Others
- 1 cup Ice Cubes
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (optional)
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: Boil water until it reaches a bubbling point, then pour it over the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heat-proof cup. Steep the flowers for 5-7 minutes, allowing the water to transform into a deep blue color. After steeping, strain the tea into another container and leave it to cool to room temperature.
- Sweeten the Tea: While the tea is still warm, add honey or your preferred sweetener. Stir vigorously until fully dissolved, ensuring the sweetener is evenly distributed.
- Froth the Milk: Select your choice of milk, whether dairy or plant-based, and froth it using a milk frother, by shaking it vigorously in a sealed jar, or blending it until it becomes light and airy.
- Prepare the Glass: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes to chill the drink effectively and prepare for layering.
- Assemble the Latte: Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the ice cubes in the glass. Gently top it with the frothed milk to create distinct visual layers.
- Add Lemon Juice: For an extra burst of flavor and color contrast, drizzle lemon juice over the top of the latte as desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, decorate the frothy milk surface with fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers to enhance presentation before serving immediately.
Notes
- Use boiling water to ensure optimal extraction of color and flavor from butterfly pea flowers.
- Adjust the amount of sweetener based on personal taste preferences or milk sweetness.
- Plant-based milks like oat or almond provide different creaminess and flavor profiles; choose according to dietary needs.
- Adding lemon juice will change the beverage’s color from blue to vibrant purple due to the flower’s natural pH sensitivity.
- For best results, serve immediately after assembling to maintain the layered effect and freshness.
