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If you’ve ever seen a drink with a deep blue or vibrant purple hue, chances are it was made with butterfly pea flower tea. This naturally colorful herbal tea is simple to make, caffeine-free, and packed with antioxidants. Whether you enjoy it hot, over ice, or transformed into a color-changing lemonade, it’s a beautiful and calming addition to your day.
In this post, I’ll show you how to make butterfly pea flower tea at home, how to turn it into a vibrant lemonade, and share a few reasons why this tea is worth keeping in your pantry.
What Is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?
Butterfly pea flower tea is made by steeping the dried petals of the Clitoria ternatea plant, a vibrant tropical flower native to Southeast Asia. The tea is naturally bright blue and famously changes color—turning purple or pink—when acidic ingredients like lemon or lime juice are added.
In countries like Thailand and Vietnam, this flower is used in drinks, desserts, and even rice for its natural coloring and health-promoting properties.
Why You’ll Love It
- Caffeine-free – A great herbal tea for winding down
- Naturally colorful – Turns from blue to purple with citrus
- Mild flavor – Subtle, earthy taste that blends well with lemon or honey
- Loaded with antioxidants – Known to support overall wellness
- Fun to serve – Great for guests or kids who love the color change
Ingredients
You only need two ingredients to make a basic cup of butterfly pea tea:
- 1 teaspoon dried butterfly pea flowers (or 5–8 whole flowers)
- 1 cup hot water
Optional add-ins:
- Honey or maple syrup
- Lemon or lime juice (for color + brightness)
- Fresh mint, ginger, or lemongrass for added flavor
- Fun rice paper butterflies to add a whimsical touch
How to Make Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Step 1: Boil Water
Bring 1 cup of filtered water to a boil. This will be used to steep your tea concentrate.
Step 2: Steep the Tea
Place 1 tablespoon of dried butterfly pea flowers (or 1 tea bag) into a heat-safe jar or measuring cup. Pour the hot water over the flowers and let steep for 5–10 minutes, or until the tea turns a deep blue.
For stronger flavor and color, steep the full 10 minutes.
Optional: Add a spoonful of honey, simple syrup, or maple syrup while it’s still hot if you like a sweetened latte.
Step 3: Strain and Cool
Strain out the flowers and let the tea come to room temperature. For faster cooling, place the tea in the fridge or pour it over ice temporarily and strain it again once cooled.
Step 4: Prepare Cold Milk
In a separate glass or small pitcher, add ½ to ¾ cup of cold milk of your choice. Stir in a splash of vanilla extract or flavored syrup if desired. You can also froth the cold milk using a handheld frother for a creamy texture (optional but lovely).
Step 5: Assemble the Iced Latte
Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the ice. Slowly pour the cold milk over the tea to create a beautiful layered effect.
Step 6: Stir and Sip
Give it a gentle stir to mix, or leave it layered for a stunning presentation. Add a straw and enjoy your naturally caffeine-free, iced herbal latte!
Why Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Changes Color
One of the most unique features of butterfly pea flower tea is its ability to change color based on pH.
In its natural state, the tea has a neutral to slightly basic pH, which gives it a deep blue color. When you add something acidic, like lemon juice or lime, the pH drops, and the tea reacts by turning purple or pink.
This transformation is due to natural pigments in the flowers called anthocyanins, which are sensitive to pH levels. It’s a beautiful example of nature’s chemistry in your cup!
Color-Changing Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
This lemonade is a fun and refreshing way to enjoy butterfly pea tea. Watch it transform from vivid blue to purple or pink when citrus is added—it’s a drink and a little science experiment in one!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon dried butterfly pea flowers (or 5–8 flowers)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1–2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (to taste)
- Ice
Instructions:
- Steep butterfly pea flowers in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Strain and let cool slightly.
- Stir in honey or maple syrup to sweeten.
- Pour over ice, then add lemon juice and stir to watch the color shift.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Butterfly pea flower tea is rich in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and support healthy aging. These same compounds are also found in berries and purple vegetables, and they may contribute to healthier skin, eyes, and immune function.
In traditional Thai and Ayurvedic medicine, butterfly pea has been used as a brain-boosting herb. Some early research suggests it may help improve memory, reduce inflammation, and even promote a balanced mood. While more studies are needed, it’s a gentle and beneficial tea that fits beautifully into a wellness-focused lifestyle.
Tips for the Best Brew
- Use filtered water for a clear, vibrant color
- Avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness—5–10 minutes is ideal
- Add lemon juice at the end for the best color-changing effect
- Use clear glassware if you want to show off the colors
How to Use Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
- Serve iced with lemon and mint
- Mix into lemonade or mocktails for vibrant drinks
- Freeze into colorful ice cubes
- Add to smoothies or frostings as a natural dye
- Make a herbal spritzer by topping with sparkling water
Add a fun touch with these charming edible butterflies!
FAQ
Want to Save This Recipe?
Download the printable recipe card below to keep on hand in your kitchen or recipe binder. It’s a quick-reference version of the steps above so you can make butterfly pea flower tea anytime!
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Naturally caffeine-free butterfly pea flower tea with a beautiful blue color and a mild, earthy taste, it's perfect for sipping or making vibrant lattes.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers
- 1 cup filtered water
- ½ to ¾ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Boil Water: Bring 1 cup filtered water to a boil.
- Steep Tea: Place butterfly pea flowers in a heatproof jar or mug. Pour hot water over flowers and steep 5–10 minutes until deep blue.
- Strain & Cool: Strain out flowers and let the tea cool to room temperature (or chill in the fridge).
- Prepare Milk: Froth cold milk or stir well to combine.
- Assemble Latte: Fill a glass with ice. Pour the cooled tea over ice, then slowly add milk.
- Optional: Add sweetener to taste or a squeeze of lemon for a purple color change. Stir gently and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 54Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 54mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 4g
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Save This for Later
Love herbal tea? Pin this recipe on Pinterest so you’ll have it handy the next time you want a calming, colorful sip.
Final Thoughts
Butterfly pea flower tea is one of those little joys that’s as nourishing as it is beautiful. Whether you’re steeping a cozy cup, pouring it over ice, or whipping up a magical lemonade, it brings a moment of calm and color to your day.
Simple, stunning, and full of gentle benefits, it’s a tea worth making again and again.
I love making tea, this one looks like an interesting drink. Thanks for sharing!
I hadn’t heard of butterfly pea flower tea before – thanks for such an interesting and well-written post! 😊
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it, it’s such a fun tea to explore!
I’ve never heard of this before, so interesting! I’d love to try it. Can it be enjoyed as a hot tea too, or is it best served cold?
Yes, it’s great hot or cold! Warm, it’s earthy and soothing, and cold, it’s super refreshing and fun with lemon for a color change!
Not only does this look super cool, it sounds super tasty. Thank you for sharing!
I love tea and enjoy trying new varieties. This is a very interesting tea that I’m eager to try!
This tea is so pretty! I will have to try this sometime.
Love these photos! The colors of the tea are so vibrant. Looks delish 🙂
These are great herbal tea recipes, I will be making a few of these at home.
This is absolutely one of my favorite flavor profiles for tea! Love it over ice!
My kids will get such a kick out of how vibrant this is! I love it!
I love this! A magical beverage if I ever did see one. Very neat how the butterfly pea flower tea changes colors with the change of pH.
Wow! What a beautiful and easy drink to make. This looks like so much fun to make, will have to save for later!
OMG! Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve always wanted to learn how to make my own Butterfly Pea Flower tea! Saving this for later.
Love how simple and pretty this is!
Oh so beautiful! I love the natural and lemonade colors. So stunning!
Love that you shared the health benefits, I can’t wait to try this!
I have never heard of butterfly 🦋 pea tea. It’s a very interesting flowers. I appreciate the health and nutrition benefits of this flower. It would be interesting to experience the flavor and smell. Thanks for sharing.
I have never heard of butterfly pea flower tea before but it sounds amazing with so many benefits. I love how naturally beautiful it is and all the calming benefits you mentioned. Can’t wait to try it!
Seems interesting. I will try this recipe.