This Blue Butterfly Pea Latte, sometimes known as a Mermaid Latte, is a visually stunning beverage made by infusing butterfly pea flower tea with creamy milk and a hint of sweetness, resulting in a captivating and Instagram-worthy drink that will evoke images of the ocean’s depths.
If you love all things coffee and tea, you should also check out my guide on How to Make French Press Coffee or my recipes for a Pink Drink with Vanilla Sweet Cream Foam or an Iced Caramel Latte. Or, if you just love the blue ocean/mermaid vibe, check out my Mermaid Water Margarita or Shark Bite Cocktail.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Visual Appeal: The vivid ocean blue hue of this blue latte is eye-catching and visually appealing, making it a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys beautiful and Instagram-worthy drinks.
- Unique Flavor: The tea has a mild taste with slightly floral and earthy flavors, which is balanced by the creamy milk and sweetness.
- Versatility: Butterfly pea flower tea can be used to create a variety of drinks, including iced or hot lattes, cocktails, and mocktails. I’ve even infused vodka with the tea. This versatility makes it a great choice for anyone looking to experiment with different types of beverages.
What is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?
Butterfly pea flower tea, also known as blue tea, is a herbal tea made from the flowers of the butterfly pea plant, scientifically known as Clitoria ternatea. The plant is native to Southeast Asia, and the tea is a popular beverage in that region.
To make the tea, the dried flowers of the butterfly pea plant are steeped in hot water, which releases a beautiful blue color from the flowers. The tea has a slightly earthy and floral taste and can be enjoyed on its own or combined with milk and sweeteners to make a latte or other beverage.
The unique thing about butterfly pea flower tea is that it has color-changing properties when it interacts with acid. The acid causes the pH levels to lower, so it can also be used as a pH indicator. The color can range from deep indigo to pale lilac and everything in between depending on the pH of the drink. It’s used often in cocktails that contain lime juice or lemon juice and is the key ingredient in Empress 1908 Gin cocktails.
Ingredient Notes
- Butterfly pea flower tea is the key ingredient in a blue butterfly pea tea latte, providing the drink with its distinctive blue color and unique flavor profile. It can easily be found on Amazon. You can buy it in loose tea or in tea bags. I buy loose-leaf tea leaves that you can use in a reusable tea bag.
- Honey is a popular sweetener used in butterfly pea lattes, providing a rich, sweet flavor that compliments the tea’s earthy and floral notes. You can also use other sweeteners if you prefer such as stevia, brown sugar, maple syrup, etc.
- Milk adds creaminess and richness to the drink while balancing the tea’s earthy and floral flavors. The type of milk used can vary depending on personal preference, with options including cow’s milk, plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, or even condensed milk for a sweeter and richer version.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the butterfly pea flower tea to a mug and pour near boiling water over top.
Step 2: Allow tea to steep for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add the amount of honey that is best suited to your preferences.
Step 4: Froth your milk of choice using a milk frother. See the tips section for more ways to froth your milk with or without a frother.
Step 5: Add the frothed milk to the blue butterfly pea flower tea.
Step 6: Garnish with few dried butterfly pea flowers, if desired.
Tips
- Warming the milk before adding it to a latte can help to create a smoother and creamier texture, as well as ensuring that the milk and hot tea blend together seamlessly.
- Try different milks and sweeteners to create your perfect Blue Latte and feel free to add additional flavors like vanilla extract or coconut milk for an extra burst of flavor.
- Methods of frothing milk:
- Steam wand (on an espresso machine): best for hot drinks as it heats and froths at the same time
- Electric wand frother: froth either warm or cold milk depending if you want a hot or iced drink.
- French press method: add your (hot or cold) milk to a French press and plunge the press using short, quick plunges into the milk. Work on it for about 30 seconds or until you see increasing frothiness.
- Glass jar method: Pour (hot or cold) milk into a glass jar and shake for about 30 seconds to a minute or until you see desired frothiness.
FAQ
What does butterfly pea flower tea taste like?
Butterfly pea flower tea has a very subtle flavor. Some people also describe butterfly pea flower tea as having a slightly grassy or vegetal taste, similar to green tea, but much less potent. When combined with milk and sweeteners to create a butterfly pea latte, the tea’s flavor becomes more subdued, resulting in a delicious and unique beverage that is both creamy and refreshing.
Where can you buy butterfly pea flower tea?
Amazon is the easiest place to find butterfly pea flower tea. Below is one example of what’s available.
What are the health benefits of drinking butterfly pea flower tea?
Butterfly pea flower tea has been used for centuries among ancient communities in Southeast Asia and in Ayurvedic medicine. Because of how rich the tea is in antioxidants, there may be benefits to heart and brain health. It is generally considered safe to consume in moderation.
Can I make a Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Latte into an iced latte?
Yes, you can definitely make a blue butterfly pea latte into an iced latte. To do so, simply make the butterfly pea tea as you would for a hot latte, allowing it to cool down to room temperature.
Once the tea has cooled, add it to a glass filled with ice cubes and your desired amount of milk, and sweetener if desired. Stir everything together and enjoy your refreshing and delicious iced butterfly pea latte.
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Blue Butterfly Pea Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-5 whole leaves butterfly pea flower tea (or 1 tea bag)
- 6 ounces hot water (near boiling)
- honey, to taste (or other preferred sweetener)
- 3 ounces milk of choice
- Extra loose butterfly pea flowers for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Steep the dried butterfly pea flower in the near boiling water for about 5 minutes.
- Remove loose leaf flower tea or tea bag.
- Sweeten with honey or other sweetener to desired sweetness.
- Froth milk and pour over top.
- Garnish, if desired.
Notes
- Any milk can be used – cow’s milk or plant-based milk
- If wanting iced, strain the tea into a large glass filled with ice prior to adding milk and after dissolving sweetener.
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Methods of frothing milk:
- Steam wand (on an espresso machine): best for hot lattes as it heats and froths at the same time
- Electric wand frother: froth either warm or cold milk depending if you want a hot or iced latte.
- French press method: add your (hot or cold) milk to a French press and plunge the press using short, quick plunges into the milk. Work on it for about 30 seconds or until you see increasing frothiness.
- Glass jar method: Pour (hot or cold) milk into a glass jar and shake for about 30 second to a minute or until you see desired frothiness.
Nutrition
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