Course Beverage (or Dessert, depending on context)
Cuisine Modern, Fusion, Asian, Thai-inspired
Servings 2
Calories 130kcal
Ingredients
2tbspDried butterfly pea flowers Adjust for a stronger or lighter tea flavor
1cupHot water Used to steep the butterfly pea flowers
1cupMilk Dairy or plant-based (e.g., almond, oat)
1-2tspHoney or sweeteneroptional Adjust sweetness to taste
½cupIce cubes Keeps the drink chilled and refreshing
1pieceBamboo straw (optional) For serving, optional but eco-friendly
Instructions
Steep the Butterfly Pea Flowers: In a cup, pour 1 cup of hot water over the dried butterfly pea flowers. Let it steep for about 5 minutes, or until the tea reaches a vibrant blue color.
Prepare the Glass: Fill a glass with ice cubes. This will help keep the milk tea chilled and refreshing.
Mix the Tea and Milk: Once the butterfly pea tea has steeped, strain out the flowers and pour the blue tea into the glass with ice. Slowly add the milk, allowing it to swirl and create a beautiful gradient effect.
Sweeten (Optional): Add honey or your sweetener of choice to the tea, stirring well to combine.
Serve and Enjoy: Stir gently and serve with a bamboo straw for a touch of style. Enjoy your vibrant, refreshing Butterfly Pea Milk Tea!
Notes
Color Variation: The vibrant blue color of Butterfly Pea Milk Tea is due to the anthocyanins in the butterfly pea flowers. The color may vary slightly depending on the exact variety of butterfly pea flowers used.Milk Options: While traditional Butterfly Pea Milk Tea uses dairy milk, you can easily make this recipe vegan by opting for plant-based milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk. Each will offer a slightly different flavor profile, with oat milk providing a creamier texture.Sweetening Options: You can adjust the sweetness to your preference by adding more or less honey, agave, or maple syrup. For a sugar-free option, consider using stevia or monk fruit sweetener.Tea Strength: If you prefer a stronger tea flavor, you can steep the butterfly pea flowers for a bit longer than the recommended 5 minutes. Keep in mind that the longer you steep, the more intense the color and flavor will become.Serving Tips: This drink is best served chilled, so ensure to use plenty of ice. The ice will also help the drink maintain its refreshing coolness, especially on hot days. If you prefer a less diluted version, you can freeze some butterfly pea tea in ice cube trays and use those ice cubes for a more concentrated flavor.Gradient Effect: The beautiful gradient from blue to purple when the milk mixes with the tea is one of the highlights of Butterfly Pea Milk Tea. To achieve a stunning effect, pour the milk slowly into the tea and avoid stirring it too vigorously at first.Health Benefits: Butterfly Pea Milk Tea is not only visually striking but also packed with antioxidants from the butterfly pea flowers. It is known to help with stress reduction, improve skin health, and support overall hydration.Adjusting the Recipe: You can easily adjust this recipe based on your personal preferences. If you like it stronger, increase the amount of butterfly pea flowers. For a lighter taste, reduce the steeping time or amount of tea.Presentation Tip: For an added touch, garnish with a few fresh butterfly pea flowers or a sprinkle of edible flower petals on top for a visually stunning drink.
Keyword Butterfly pea, milk tea, iced tea, floral, refreshing, antioxidant, blue tea, healthy drink, summer drink, tea recipes, Asian beverage