Butterfly Pea Tea Latte

This is such a fun recipe to make and drink! Introducing my butterfly pea tea latte recipe… This recipe includes butterfly pea tea leaves (of course), your milk of choice, strawberry syrup, and lemon juice. Add a splash of vanilla and/or some honey for a softer sweetness.

Perhaps you are looking for a more traditional latte with coffee and caffeine? Check out my honey latte recipe!

What does butterfly pea flower tea taste like?

Honestly, butterfly pea flower tea is earthy tasting. Some might compare butterfly pea tea to a light green tea or matcha, but without the bitterness.

Additionally, it is mild and mellow, the perfect blank canvas for making drinks with because of its beautiful blue color that can change to purple with a little lemon juice!

And on the topic of tea, if you are a fan of different types of teas (like me), be sure to check out my chai tea latte recipe! I go over how to make a chai tea mix, which you can then add to milk and make a latte with. The chai mix also makes a great gift! 🙂

Do I use tea leaves or tea bags for butterfly pea tea latte?

Using tea leaves or tea bags is up to you. I found it easier to just buy some tea bags from the store. These tea bags that I bought already had some additional flavors in them that went well with the latte.

I used tea from the brand Bigelow. The particular blend or flavor I got was Vanilla Midnight. This tea blend has vanilla, cinnamon, and lavender notes for a delicious and calming tea.

Why I love this butterfly pea tea latte recipe

Simple: This latte recipe is special because you don’t have to worry about brewing espresso. Just make your tea and add it to the milk of your choice.

Flavorful: Not only do you have the soft flavor of vanilla, but you also get a delicious strawberry flavor from the syrup! Plus, whatever other flavors from ingredients that you might choose to use such as, honey and/or lavender.

Caffeine-free: It’s nice to have a drink option that doesn’t include caffeine, especially when it’s later in the day.

The surprising benefits of butterfly pea flower tea

Here are some of the benefits of butterfly pea flower tea:

Rich in antioxidants: Butterfly pea tea has lots of ternatins in it. This is what causes the tea to be blue, and they help reduce inflammation.

Blood sugar regulation: There are some studies that suggest that drinking this tea can help stabilize blood sugar, especailly when consumed alongside sugary foods.

Skin and hair health: The antioxidants in the butterfly pea tea can help promote collagen and elastin production.

Cognitive support: This tea contains acetylcholine, which is essential for brain health, concentration, and memory.

Find out more about butterfly pea flower tea by going to PMC.

How to change the color of butterfly pea tea

Butterfly pea tea has a pH sensitivity. Therefore, when you add lemon juice, the color changes from a dark blue color to a vibrant purple.

Where to buy butterfly pea flower tea

Butterfly pea flower tea used to be harder to find, but recently, I have found it at Walmart. Additionally, there are many variations of it on Amazon as well.

I like to use Bigelow Vanilla Midnight tea bags. Not only are the super accessible for me (I get them at Walmart), but they also already have some flavor to them!

Ingredient substitutions and variations

Iced vs. Hot: For a delicious summer version, pour your butterfly pea tea latte over ice! This is my favorite way to drink it.

Sweeteners: Don’t have or want to use honey? Try maple syrup instead! You can substitute in a 1:1 ratio.

Flavor twists: Instead of strawberry syrup, try blueberry syrup instead. Additionally, feel free to experiment with the flavor. For instance, try a pinch of cinnamon!

Equipment needed

Glass or cup- clear so that you can see the layers of color 🙂

Measuring cups and spoons

Spoon- for stirring

Strainer- this is if you have loose leaf tea

Ingredients for butterfly pea tea latte

1-2 tsp of dried butterfly pea tea (or 1 tea bag)

1/2 cup of hot water

1/2 cup of milk of choice

1-2 tbsp of strawberry syrup

1-2 tsp of lemon juice

Ice (optional)

How to make butterfly pea tea latte

Start by brewing the tea. Pour hot water over the tea leaves (or the tea bag) and let it steep for about 5-7 minutes. The tea should turn a deep blue color. Strain out the tea leaves (if need be), or remove the tea bag and set aside.

In your glass, add the strawberry syrup and the milk together. Give the strawberry syrup and milk a good mix until you get a soft pink color and they are completely integrated together.

Fill the glass with ice (optional), and save a little room at the top for the tea. Add the tea.

Squeeze the lemon juice into the brewed tea. And enjoy how the lemon juice changes the tea to a purple color.

Serve with cold foam or whipped cream on top (optional), and enjoy! 🙂

How to store

Tea: You can store any leftover tea in a sealed jar in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just be sure to give the tea a stir before using.

Strawberry milk base: You should try to store the syrup by itself. The syrup alone will stay good for at least a couple weeks.

However, if you happened to have mixed the milk and syrup together, this would last about a day. Store it in a sealed jar.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Butterfly Pea Tea Latte

Layering for the “Wow” Factor: If you want those gorgeous distinct layers for your photos, pour the tea very slowly over the back of a spoon. The strawberry milk is denser because of the syrup, so the tea will sit right on top until you’re ready to swirl!

Temperature Matters: To get that deep, vibrant blue, make sure your water is hot but not boiling (around 200°F). If the water is too hot, it can sometimes make the floral notes of the tea taste a bit “grassy.”

The Lemon Magic: Always add the lemon juice after you’ve admired the blue color! Since it’s the acidity that triggers the color change to purple, you can even add it drop by drop at the table for a fun little science experiment effect.

Froth it Up: Even though this isn’t a traditional espresso latte, you can still use a handheld milk frother on your strawberry milk before adding the tea to give it that coffee-shop feel and a pillowy texture.

Or use the frother to make a simple, but delicious, cold foam!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does butterfly pea tea have caffeine?

Nope! Pure butterfly pea flower tea is naturally caffeine-free because it’s a herbal tisane. This makes it the perfect “wind-down” drink for the evening or a fun treat for kids who want a colorful “fancy” drink. (Just double-check your tea blend if you’re using something like Vanilla Midnight to ensure there are no added tea leaves like black or green tea!)

Can I use a different type of milk?

Absolutely! This recipe works beautifully with dairy milk, but it’s also delicious with oat milk or almond milk. Oat milk is especially great here because its natural creaminess pairs really well with the earthy flavor of the tea.

Where do I find strawberry syrup?

You can usually find strawberry syrup in the coffee aisle or near the ice cream toppings at most grocery stores. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even make a quick homemade version by simmering fresh strawberries with a little sugar and water or by mixing strawberry spread or jelly with a couple tablespoons of hot water.

Why did my tea turn grey instead of purple?

If your tea looks a bit muddy or grey, it might be the ratio of tea to lemon juice. Usually, a little more acidity (a few extra drops of lemon) will brighten that purple right up. Also, make sure your milk is a lighter color; if you use a dark-tinted nut milk, it might mask the vibrant colors of the tea.

Shop this blog post

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea: Vanilla Midnight

To make cold foam/froth: Frother

Drop a comment about how your butterfly pea tea latte turned out! 🙂