Diamond T Design
Let your light shine!
Creative ideas for creative minds.
Let your light shine!
Creative ideas for creative minds.
" Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." —John Lubbock
This butterfly pea tea lemonade is refreshingly sweet, tangy and fragrant. Not only is it easy to make, but it also looks inviting, making it perfect as an afternoon treat or for parties. Say goodbye to store-bought lemonade now and use this recipe which comes with several health benefits, ranging from helping to reduce stress and anxiety to improving your digestion and protecting you against free radicals!
WHAT GOES IN BUTTERFLY PEA TEA LEMONADE
BUTTERFLY PEA TEA LEMONADE
This butterfly pea tea lemonade is refreshingly sweet, tangy and fragrant. Not only is it easy to make, but it also looks inviting, making it perfect as an afternoon treat or for parties. Say goodbye to store-bought lemonade now and use this recipe which comes with several health benefits, ranging from helping to reduce stress and anxiety to improving your digestion and protecting you against free radicals!
3 bottles of butterfly pea lemon soda
BUTTERFLY PEA TEA LEMONADE
If you've tried my, butterfly pea milk, Thai milk tea, Thai pink milk and fresh peach lemonade, you are so going to love this unicorn drink! This is another popular drink in Thailand. We call it "anchan manow - อัญชันมะนาว" in Thai, which translates to butterfly pea lime. I know you're looking at my picture above and going, "What? Where's the lime?" Well, you can find out more below why I'm using lemons here.
This drink offers a really nice lemon fragrance and the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. In other words, it's not too sour or not too sweet. Of course, there's a bit of sugar in it but not in an unhealthy amount. That's why I say it's better than store-bought lemonade, which is often VERY sweet.
As you can tell by the name, this drink contains both butterfly pea tea and lemon juice. These ingredients have a lot of health benefits. They help you with your immune system, your brain, your skin, your hair and even your digestion. Other than that, it's really easy to make and ready in just about 15-20 minutes.
And let me just ask you this question - doesn't this drink look so pretty and inviting it makes you want to relax and enjoy it? You could have a happy meal with this drink and my chicken tomato cucumber salad or Thai green beef curry and rice!
NOTES ON MAIN INGREDIENTS
1. Butterfly Pea Tea Flower Tea (Blue Tea)
Making the Tea: In order to make butterfly pea tea or blue tea, you only need warm water and fresh or or dried butterfly pea flowers. In this recipe, I use fresh ones because we grow them at home. I use the fresh ones whenever I can but if my vine is not flowering, I use the dried ones too.
Where to Buy Butterfly Pea Flowers: If you already like butterfly pea tea and already keep dried butterfly pea flowers in your pantry then that's great. Butterfly pea tea is awesome so you might wanna stock up on these flowers. If you don't know where to get them, try a tea store, an Asian grocery store or get them from Amazon.
What Does Butterfly Pea Tea Taste Like?: Butterfly pea tea or water doesn't really have much of a flavor or taste. We use the flowers to make drinks and in some dishes because they are good for your eyes, come with antioxidants and a lot more other health benefits. Also, as you can see, they make really beautiful drinks!
2. Lemon Juice
Again, you may have read my post about growing lemons in Bangkok. I use lemon juice because it gives this drink such a pleasant aroma and when mixed with everything else, the sour taste isn't too sharp. Also, as mentioned in the previous section, butterfly pea tea is also called blue tea, right? But why is this drink purple? That's because when you add lemon juice, the acidity in the juice just magically changes the tea's color from blue to purple!
Can I Substitute Lemon Juice for Something Else?
YES!! Actually, this drink is mostly made with lime juice in Thailand because limes are a basic Thai ingredient that every household normally has and they are much cheaper than lemons. I can use lemons because I don't have to buy them. If you use lime juice, the drink will still be just as tasty but with a tiny difference in terms of the aroma. In my opinion, both lemon juice and lime juice work really well. I don't think one is better than the other. It's just a matter of what you can find. If lemons are cheaper than limes where you live, you can use lemons. But if limes are cheaper than lemons, then lime juice will be just as good. Oh, and don't worry, the acidity in the lime juice will turn your tea purple too!
3. Soda Water
Butterfly pea lemonade with soda water is just so refreshing and perfect for any summer day or party! The soda water makes this drink a bit more fun and gives it a pretty look because with it, you layers of colors. However, if you do not like soda water, but you still want this drink to have the same look, you can use drinking water.
For those of you who don't care about the colors at all, just mix the butterfly pea tea with sugar and lemon juice and keep tasting and adjusting until you get the taste that you like. Note that this drink is supposed to be sour and sweet, so don't use too much sugar.
WHAT GOES IN BUTTERFLY PEA TEA LEMONADE
INSTRUCTIONS
Make butterfly pea tea by placing the fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers in a bowl and add the warm water. Soak for a few minutes.
Use the back of a spoon to press the flowers against the bottom of the bowl to extract the color. Once the color is vivid enough, strain and discard the flowers.
Add the sugar to the butterfly tea and use a spoon to stir until fully dissolved.
Mix the lemon juice with the sweetened butterfly pea tea.
Fill your serving glasses with ice.
Pour the butterfly pea lemonade over the ice, up to about half of each glass.
Fill the rest of each glass with soda water.
Garnish with pieces of lemon and rosemary sprigs and stir to enjoy.
Notes
You can substitute lemon juice for lime juice and soda water with drinking water.
If you don't want to add any soda water or drinking water at all and want to have just a pure purple butterfly pea lemonade, simply mix the butterfly pea tea with sugar and lemon juice and keep tasting and adjusting until you get the taste you like. Just remember this drink is supposed to be sour and sweet, so don't use too much sugar.
Because this drink contains lemon juice, if you don't finish it in one sitting, store it in a bottle with a lid in the fridge and finish it within the next few days. If using soda water, remember to only add it when ready to drink. This is really important because you don't want it to go flat while sitting in the fridge.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you will need:
Step by Step Instructions
In a large pitcher, combine butterfly pea flowers and hot water. Allow 5-10 minutes to steep, develop a dark blue color, and cool completely.
In your glasses, add citrus wedges and lavender and muddle (if using) with the back of a wooden spoon. Add ice, a shot of liquor to each glass as well as citrus juice, simple syrup and mix.
Pour in the butterfly pea flower water and watch the magic happen!
The acidity from the lemon will turn the blue water purple. Enjoy!
Read Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
Read Hibiscus Tea Recipe
Read Butterfly Pea Flower Drink
Three ways to use blue butterfly pea flower tea: hot, iced, or latte!
Learn 3 different ways to make butterfly pea tea at home!
PREP TIME- 5 minutes
COOK TIME- 5 minutes
TOTAL TIME- 5 minutes
Ingredients
For the Hot Tea:Instructions
For the Hot Tea:
Place the dried flowers in a tea strainer. Place in a 10-12 ounce mug. Pour the boiling water on top. Place a heat-proof plate on top of the mug to trap the heat.
Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. Remove the tea strainer.
Add lemon or lime juice and sweetener to taste if you like.
For the Iced Tea:
Place the dried flowers in a tea strainer. Place in a 10-12 ounce mug. Pour the boiling water on top. Place a heat-proof plate on top of the mug to trap the heat.
Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. Remove the tea strainer.
Place ice cubes in a 12 ounce cup. Add the cold water on top. Pour the brewed tea on top and stir.
Add lemon or lime juice and sweetener to taste if you like.
For the Latte:
Place the butterfly pea powder and hot water in a 12 ounce mug. Whisk until completely smooth.
Add almond extract and sweetener if desired.
Heat and froth the milk and pour over the butterfly pea tea in the mug. Enjoy!
How often should I drink butterfly pea flower?
However, it should be noted that only 300-500ml (about 1-2 cups) of butterfly pea flower tea should be consumed per day (about 5-10 fresh butterfly pea flowers, equivalent to 1-2 grams of dried flowers to make tea). ) to avoid side effects.
Who should not drink butterfly pea tea?
Side Effects of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is best to avoid consuming the tea. In addition, if you have low blood pressure, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before consuming butterfly pea flower tea, as it may lower blood pressure.
What does butterfly pea drink taste like?
Butterfly Pea Flower Herbal Tea – ArtfulTea
Sometimes called blue tea, butterfly pea flower tea is made from the leaves and flower petals of the clitoria ternatea plant. Butterfly pea flower is commonly grown in Southeast Asia, and brews up a brilliant blue color when prepared as a tea. It has a floral, mildly sweet flavor, somewhat similar to that of chamomile.
Side Effects to Drinking Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Though butterfly pea flower tea is generally considered safe by nutritionists if drunk in moderation, a few stomach upsets, nausea and diarrhea cases have been reported following its consumption. For those with a bevy of allergies, it is advisable to consult with your doctor first before taking it.
Drinks & Cocktails
SERVINGS 1
INGREDIENTS