Transport yourself to a realm of visual wonder with this captivating Butterfly Pea Milk Tea recipe! This mesmerizing beverage can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it perfect for any season, and its magical blue hue is guaranteed to transform an ordinary day into something extraordinary.
After countless experiments in my kitchen, I’ve fallen completely in love with homemade Butterfly Pea Milk Tea. The stunning sapphire color that naturally develops as you brew is absolutely mesmerizing, and the subtle earthy flavor pairs beautifully with creamy milk. Whether you need a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up or a soothing evening wind-down, this versatile blue moon latte adapts perfectly to any moment or season.
💙 Why you’ll adore this recipe
Accessible Ingredients: Uses common pantry staples alongside specialty butterfly pea powder. Natural Brilliance: Achieves its spectacular blue color without artificial additives. Family-Friendly Magic: Perfect for themed parties, special occasions, or simply brightening a ordinary day. Season-Spanning Versatility: Equally delightful as a warming winter comfort or refreshing summer cooler. Wellness Benefits: Contains antioxidants and potential cognitive-enhancing properties. Beginner-Friendly: Requires minimal technical skill yet produces professional-looking results. Infinitely Adaptable: Easy to personalize with different milk types, sweetness levels, and flavor additions.
🗝️ Essential ingredients and alternatives
Butterfly Pea Flower Powder or Dried Flowers: The magical ingredient responsible for the signature azure color. Both forms work beautifully – powder dissolves instantly while dried flowers require steeping.
Fresh Hot Water: Temperature matters tremendously when extracting optimal color and flavor compounds. Aim for just off the boil (around 195°F/90°C).
Your Preferred Milk: Any variety creates a delicious result – whether dairy-based for richness or plant-based alternatives like almond, oat, or coconut milk for different flavor profiles.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Introduces a subtle aromatic sweetness that balances the earthy notes of the butterfly pea. In its absence, try a touch of almond extract for an equally enchanting variation.
Sweetener of Choice: Customize with regular sugar, honey, agave, simple syrup, or maple syrup according to your preference. Each sweetener brings its own subtle flavor influence.
Quality Ice: Optional but essential for the iced version, use filtered water for the clearest cubes that won’t dilute with unwanted flavors.
🥣 Step-by-step preparation guide
Begin by thoroughly combining the butterfly pea powder with freshly boiled water, whisking gently to eliminate any clumps. If using dried butterfly pea flowers instead, place them in a tea infuser or reusable tea bag and allow them to steep undisturbed for 8-10 minutes until the water transforms into a vibrant blue.
Incorporate your chosen sweetener while the tea is still hot, stirring until completely dissolved to ensure even distribution of sweetness throughout.
For a Refreshing Iced Version:
- Fill a clear glass generously with ice cubes.
- Add the vanilla extract to impart its delicate aroma.
- Pour in your selected milk until the glass is approximately three-quarters full.
- Slowly add the sweetened butterfly pea tea, watching as the beautiful color gradient forms.
- Gently stir to integrate the flavors while maintaining the stunning visual effect.
For a Comforting Hot Version:
- Warm your milk of choice in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scalding.
- Once warm but not boiling, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the heated milk into your favorite mug.
- Carefully add the blue tea, stirring gently to combine.
- Take a moment to appreciate the swirling color patterns before enjoying.
Magic Transformation Tip: For an impressive color-changing effect, add a few drops of lemon juice or any citrus to watch your blue drink transform into a stunning purple shade – a perfect demonstration of pH chemistry in action!
🪄 Expert tips and insights
Extraction Efficiency: Allow butterfly pea flowers to steep for the full recommended time (8-10 minutes) to ensure maximum color extraction and flavor development.
pH Experimentation: The natural anthocyanin pigments in butterfly pea flowers respond dramatically to acidity. Try adding different citrus juices in varying amounts to create custom purple and pink hues.
Sweetness Balance: Begin with a modest amount of sweetener and gradually increase after tasting. The natural flavor of butterfly pea is subtle and can be overwhelmed by excessive sweetness.
Visual Presentation: Always serve in transparent glassware to showcase the magnificent color – half the enjoyment comes from appreciating the visual beauty before tasting.
Temperature Control: When preparing the hot version, heat milk until steaming but never boiling (around 155°F/68°C) to preserve its natural sweetness and prevent protein breakdown that can affect texture.
✨ Creative variations
Island Inspiration: Create a tropical experience by substituting part of the milk with coconut cream and adding a splash of pineapple juice for a subtle island flavor profile.
Luxurious Indulgence: Replace regular milk with half-and-half or heavy cream for an exceptionally rich, dessert-like experience.
Aromatic Spice Infusion: Incorporate warming spices like a pinch of cardamom, star anise, or cinnamon to create a complex flavor dimension perfect for cooler weather.
Garden Freshness: Muddle fresh herbs such as mint, basil, or lemongrass in the hot tea before adding milk for a refreshing herbal undertone.
Berry Enhancement: Blend in puréed blackberries or blueberries for complementary color and a fruity dimension that pairs beautifully with the floral notes.
Tea Fusion: Combine butterfly pea tea with jasmine or chamomile tea for layered complexity and additional wellness benefits.
Boba Creation: Transform into an Instagram-worthy bubble tea by adding prepared tapioca pearls to the bottom of your glass – the vibrant blue color creates a particularly striking bubble tea experience!
🫙 Proper storage guidelines
Prompt Refrigeration: Transfer any unused portion to the refrigerator within two hours of preparation to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
Airtight Protection: Store in a sealed container to prevent oxidation and absorption of refrigerator odors that could compromise the delicate flavor profile.
Freshness Window: Enjoy within 72 hours (3 days) for optimal taste and visual appeal, as the color may gradually fade with extended storage.
Proper Serving: Before enjoying refrigerated leftovers, stir or shake well to redistribute any separated components and restore the uniform appearance.
❓ Common questions answered
Q: Can I use regular green or black tea instead of butterfly pea? A: While you won’t achieve the signature blue color, you can certainly adapt the milk tea technique with any tea variety. For visual impact, however, butterfly pea is uniquely suited.
Q: Is butterfly pea tea caffeinated? A: No, pure butterfly pea flower tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it suitable for evening enjoyment without disrupting sleep patterns.
Q: Where can I find butterfly pea powder or flowers? A: Look in specialty tea shops, natural food stores, or online retailers. The popularity of this ingredient has made it increasingly accessible.
Q: Are there any health benefits to butterfly pea tea? A: Traditional medicine attributes numerous benefits including antioxidant properties, potential memory enhancement, and anti-inflammatory effects, though these benefits should be considered complementary rather than medicinal.
Q: Can I make a concentrate ahead of time? A: Absolutely! Brew a stronger concentration and store refrigerated for up to one week. Dilute with milk or water when ready to serve.
Print
Butterfly Pea Milk Tea (Mermaid Latte)
Description
Step into a world of visual enchantment with this Butterfly Pea Milk Tea recipe! Available as both a refreshing cold drink or comforting hot beverage, this naturally blue creation brings a touch of magic to any occasion.
Ingredients
-
1 tsp butterfly pea powder (also called blue matcha)
or 1 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers in a tea bag or infuser -
1/2 cup freshly boiled water
-
1–3 tsp sweetener (sugar, honey, or maple syrup), to taste
-
400–600 ml milk of choice (or water)
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
For an iced latte:
- Combine the butterfly pea powder with freshly boiled water, whisking until completely dissolved. If using butterfly pea flowers instead, place them in a tea infuser and steep for 8-10 minutes.
- Add your chosen sweetener to the hot blue tea and stir until fully dissolved.
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Add vanilla extract to the glass, then pour in your preferred milk until about three-quarters full.
- Slowly pour the sweetened blue tea into the glass, watching the beautiful layering effect.
- Gently stir to combine all ingredients.
For a hot latte:
- Mix the butterfly pea powder with hot water until completely dissolved. For butterfly pea flowers, steep in an infuser for 8-10 minutes.
- Warm your chosen milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling.
- Add sweetener and vanilla extract to the warm milk, stirring until dissolved.
- Once heated, remove the milk from heat.
- Pour the milk into your favorite mug, then add the blue tea and stir to combine.
Notes
- Milk quantity: Adjust based on your glass or mug size. Aim to fill about three-quarters of the container.
- Steeping tip: Allow butterfly pea flowers to steep for the full 8–10 minutes to extract maximum color.
- Color twist: Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to transform the blue color into purple—perfect for a fun science moment.
- Sweetness: Start with less sweetener and adjust to taste.
- Presentation tip: Use clear glassware to highlight the drink’s beautiful layers.
- For the hot version: Heat milk until steaming but avoid boiling to preserve flavor and texture.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Course: Beverages Cuisine: Fusion Servings: 2 drinks Calories: 115 kcal