Have you ever seen a drink that changes color right before your eyes? That’s the magic of butterfly pea tea! This stunning blue beverage isn’t just Instagram-worthy—it’s packed with antioxidants, super simple to make, and has been cherished in Thailand for generations. My family goes crazy for this refreshing drink, especially during summer gatherings when we serve it with a splash of lime juice to create that magical purple transformation!
I discovered butterfly pea tea during a trip to Thailand years ago, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. What makes this tea so special is not just its vibrant natural color, but how versatile and easy it is. Whether you’re looking for a unique caffeine-free alternative to your regular tea routine or you want to wow guests at your next get-together, this butterfly pea tea recipe is exactly what you need!
Magical Blue Butterfly Pea Tea
This gorgeous naturally blue tea transforms from deep indigo to vibrant purple with just a splash of citrus. Ready in under 10 minutes, it’s the perfect refreshing drink for any occasion!
A beautiful, all-natural blue tea that transforms colors with a splash of citrus. This caffeine-free herbal tea is refreshing, served hot or cold, and makes a stunning addition to any table!
Ingredients
Butterfly Pea Tea Base:
- ¼ cup (about 10g) dried butterfly pea flowers
- 2 cups (480ml) water
- 2 glasses filled with ice
Optional Add-ins:
- 1-2 tablespoons honey or simple syrup, to taste
- Fresh lime or lemon juice, to taste (1-2 tablespoons usually works perfectly!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil the water. Heat 2 cups of water in a kettle or pot until it reaches a full boil. Transfer the hot water to a glass measuring cup or heat-safe container.
- Add the flowers. Place the ¼ cup of dried butterfly pea flowers into the hot water. You’ll immediately notice the water starting to turn blue—that’s the magic beginning!
- Extract the color. Stir the flowers gently with a spoon, then use the back of the spoon to press the flowers against the side of the cup. This helps release more of that gorgeous blue color. (Don’t skip this step—it makes all the difference in achieving that deep, vibrant blue!)
- Steep and press. Continue pressing and stirring the flowers for 2-3 minutes until the tea reaches a deep indigo blue color. The longer you steep, the more intense the color will be!
- Strain the tea. Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into another container, discarding the used flowers. Your beautiful blue tea is now ready for the next step!
- Sweeten if desired. If you prefer a sweeter drink, now’s the time to add honey or simple syrup while the tea is still warm. Stir until completely dissolved.
- Prepare serving glasses. Fill two glasses with ice cubes. The ice not only keeps your drink refreshingly cold but also creates a beautiful contrast with the vibrant blue tea.
- Pour and serve. Carefully pour the blue tea over the ice in each glass. For the most dramatic presentation, serve it as is with lime or lemon wedges on the side so everyone can watch the color change when they add the citrus!
Yield: 2 refreshing drinks Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes
Nutritional Information
Butterfly pea tea is virtually calorie-free unless sweetened. When consumed plain, it contains:
- Calories: Less than 5 per serving
- Sodium: 24mg
- Calcium: 14mg
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 1g
Note: Nutritional values will vary depending on optional add-ins like honey or simple syrup.
What variations can I make with butterfly pea tea?
One of the things I love most about butterfly pea tea is how versatile it is! Here are some of my favorite variations that always disappear fast at gatherings:
- Butterfly Pea Lemonade: Mix the cooled blue tea with freshly squeezed lemonade for a magical color-changing drink that kids and adults both love.
- Coconut Blue Tea: Add a splash of coconut milk to your iced butterfly pea tea for a creamy, tropical twist.
- Blue Tea Spritzer: Mix butterfly pea tea with sparkling water and a hint of lime for an elegant mocktail.
- Butterfly Pea Iced Tea: Brew the tea stronger (using more flowers), then dilute with cold water and ice for a refreshing summer drink.
- Blue Thai Milk Tea: Add sweetened condensed milk to cold butterfly pea tea for a Thai-inspired treat!
What are my best tips for perfect butterfly pea tea?
After making this tea countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make a huge difference:
- Water temperature matters! Always use fully boiling water for the best color extraction. If your water isn’t hot enough, you won’t get that vibrant blue we’re looking for.
- Press those flowers! Don’t just let them steep passively—actively press them against the glass with your spoon to extract maximum color and flavor.
- Quality matters. Look for high-quality dried butterfly pea flowers that are vibrant blue rather than faded or brownish. The fresher your dried flowers, the better your tea will taste!
- Add sweeteners while warm. If you’re adding honey or simple syrup, mix it in while the tea is still warm for the best dissolution.
- The lime juice effect. The acidic reaction is what creates the color change from blue to purple. For the most dramatic effect, add the lime juice at the table so you can watch the transformation happen!
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Butterfly pea tea is perfect for making ahead of time! Here’s how I store mine:
Store unsweetened butterfly pea tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I often make a big batch on Sundays to enjoy throughout the week!
If you plan to add citrus, wait until serving time to add the lime or lemon juice, as the color change will happen immediately, and you’ll miss the dramatic effect.
For sweetened tea, it’s best consumed within 2-3 days as the flavor profile can change slightly over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find butterfly pea flowers?
You can usually find dried butterfly pea flowers at Asian grocery stores, specialty tea shops, or online retailers. They’re becoming more popular, so even some health food stores carry them now!
Is butterfly pea tea caffeine-free?
Yes! Butterfly pea tea is completely caffeine-free, making it perfect for an evening drink or for those who are sensitive to caffeine. My kids can enjoy it without any worry about staying up past bedtime!
Does butterfly pea tea have health benefits?
Butterfly pea flowers contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Traditional medicine has used these flowers for their potential anti-inflammatory properties, though I mostly enjoy them for the beautiful color and refreshing taste!
Can I use fresh butterfly pea flowers instead of dried?
Absolutely! If you’re lucky enough to have access to fresh butterfly pea flowers, you can use them instead. You might need to adjust the quantity—start with about twice as many fresh flowers as you would dried.
Why doesn’t my tea turn as blue as yours?
The intensity of the blue color depends on a few factors: the quality of your flowers, the steeping time, and how actively you press the flowers. Make sure you’re using hot water and pressing those flowers against the glass to extract maximum color!
Wrap Up
So there you have it—a simple way to bring a touch of Thai magic to your table with butterfly pea tea! This beautiful blue beverage never fails to impress guests and has become a staple in our household for both everyday refreshment and special occasions.
What I love most about butterfly pea tea is how something so simple can create such joy and wonder. There’s something truly special about watching someone’s face light up when they add that squeeze of lime and see the color transform before their eyes!
Have you tried making butterfly pea tea before? Leave a comment below and let me know how your Magical Blue Butterfly Pea Tea turned out! And if you come up with any creative variations, I’d love to hear about those too!
Looking for more refreshing drink recipes? Check out my Brazilian Mounjaro Drink Recipe.
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Butterfly Pea Tea Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Discover how to make vibrant butterfly pea tea at home in just 10 minutes! This natural blue tea changes color with citrus and makes a stunning refreshing drink
Ingredients
Butterfly Pea Tea Base:
- ¼ cup (about 10g) dried butterfly pea flowers
- 2 cups (480ml) water
- 2 glasses filled with ice
Optional Add-ins:
- 1–2 tablespoons honey or simple syrup, to taste
- Fresh lime or lemon juice, to taste (1-2 tablespoons usually works perfectly!)
Instructions
- Boil the water. Heat 2 cups of water in a kettle or pot until it reaches a full boil. Transfer the hot water to a glass measuring cup or heat-safe container.
- Add the flowers. Place the ¼ cup of dried butterfly pea flowers into the hot water. You’ll immediately notice the water starting to turn blue—that’s the magic beginning!
- Extract the color. Stir the flowers gently with a spoon, then use the back of the spoon to press the flowers against the side of the cup. This helps release more of that gorgeous blue color. (Don’t skip this step—it makes all the difference in achieving that deep, vibrant blue!)
- Steep and press. Continue pressing and stirring the flowers for 2-3 minutes until the tea reaches a deep indigo blue color. The longer you steep, the more intense the color will be!
- Strain the tea. Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into another container, discarding the used flowers. Your beautiful blue tea is now ready for the next step!
- Sweeten if desired. If you prefer a sweeter drink, now’s the time to add honey or simple syrup while the tea is still warm. Stir until completely dissolved.
- Prepare serving glasses. Fill two glasses with ice cubes. The ice not only keeps your drink refreshingly cold but also creates a beautiful contrast with the vibrant blue tea.
- Pour and serve. Carefully pour the blue tea over the ice in each glass. For the most dramatic presentation, serve it as is with lime or lemon wedges on the side so everyone can watch the color change when they add the citrus!
Notes
- Water temperature matters! Always use fully boiling water for the best color extraction. If your water isn’t hot enough, you won’t get that vibrant blue we’re looking for.
- Press those flowers! Don’t just let them steep passively—actively press them against the glass with your spoon to extract maximum color and flavor.
- Quality matters. Look for high-quality dried butterfly pea flowers that are vibrant blue rather than faded or brownish. The fresher your dried flowers, the better your tea will taste!
- Add sweeteners while warm. If you’re adding honey or simple syrup, mix it in while the tea is still warm for the best dissolution.
- The lime juice effect. The acidic reaction is what creates the color change from blue to purple. For the most dramatic effect, add the lime juice at the table so you can watch the transformation happen!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: Thailand
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Sodium: 24mg
- Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
I will try this today. thanks