Butterfly Pea Tea – Easy Herbal Drink Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links.Butterfly pea tea is bright, blue, and beautifully refreshing, and it magically changes color with a splash of citrus. Infused with fragrant pandan and lemongrass, this easy herbal drink is naturally caffeine-free and perfect for relaxing anytime.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
🏷️ Recipe Name: Butterfly Pea Tea
⏱️ Ready In: ~ 30 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 20 glasses
🔥 Calories: 47 kcal (per serving)
🧾 Main Ingredients: Butterfly pea flower, lemongrass, pandan leaves, sugar, water.
🥗 Dietary Info: Halal
🧠 Difficulty: Easy, very simple steps.
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Butterfly pea tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal drink made from dried butterfly pea flowers, known for its vibrant blue color and light, floral taste. In this recipe, I infuse it with fragrant pandan and lemongrass for an extra layer of aroma and flavor.
The best part? Add a squeeze of lemon and watch it transform into a beautiful purple, this color-changing effect makes it as fun as it is refreshing.
You can enjoy butterfly pea tea hot or iced, and even turn it into a creamy butterfly pea latte by adding milk. If you love simple, refreshing drinks, you’ll find more ideas in my Asian drink recipes collection, including turmeric ginger tea, tamarind iced tea, lychee tea, and butterfly pea latte.
Butterfly pea tea isn’t just for drinks, it’s also used to create naturally vibrant colors in Southeast Asian desserts like kuih seri muka, kue lumpang, and mango sticky rice.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Butterfly pea flowers – Use either dried or freshly picked flowers; the flavor stays the same.
Pandan leaves & lemongrass – Fresh is best for aroma, but dried pandan leaves or lemongrass work well if that’s what you have.
Rock sugar – I like using rock sugar for its gentle, mellow sweetness. Regular white sugar works too, just adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Variations
Citrus twist (color-changing tea) – Swap lemon with lime or orange juice. You’ll still get that magical blue-to-purple color change with a slightly different citrus flavor.
Spiced butterfly pea tea – Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, or fresh ginger while steeping for a warm, fragrant version—perfect for cooler days.
Iced or sparkling version – Serve over ice or mix with sparkling water, tonic water, or lemonade for a refreshing fizzy drink.
Butterfly pea mocktail or cocktail – Use it as a base for mocktails, or pair with gin or rum for a vibrant, color-changing cocktail.
Butterfly pea latte – Add milk or coconut milk for a creamy, calming drink with a soft floral flavor.
How to Make Butterfly Pea Tea
STEP 1. Rinse the pandan leaves and lemongrass. Cut into shorter pieces; lightly bruise the lemongrass (optional, for more aroma). Add butterfly pea flowers, pandan, lemongrass, and rock sugar to a pot (Image 1). Pour in the water.
STEP 2. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil (Image 2).
STEP 3. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until the tea turns a deep blue and smells fragrant (Image 3). Turn off the heat and steep for another 3–5 minutes for a richer color.
STEP 4. Strain out the flowers and herbs (Image 4). Let the tea cool, then transfer to a clean bottle and refrigerate.
Pro Tips
- Use fresh or dried ingredients – Fresh pandan and lemongrass give the best aroma, but dried versions work just as well for convenience.
- Adjust color depth naturally – Add more butterfly pea flowers for a deeper blue color without making the flavor too strong.
- Don’t skip the steeping step – Letting the tea steep after simmering helps intensify both the color and floral aroma.
- Trigger the color change just before serving – Add lemon or lime at the end to get that vibrant blue-to-purple transformation.
- Serve well-chilled for best flavor – Butterfly pea tea tastes most refreshing when fully chilled, especially on warm days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this stunning blue tea alongside sweet treats like Salted Egg Yolk Pastry, Taiwanese Pineapple Cake, Castella Pandan Cake, or chewy Ube Mochi Pancakes for a beautiful dessert pairing.
It also pairs wonderfully with savory bites such as Shrimp Balls, crispy Fried Meatballs, Pork Shu Mai, Gyoza, or golden Fried Wontons. The light, floral flavor helps balance richer dishes and refresh your palate.
If you enjoy refreshing drinks like this, you can also try my Cucumber Mint Tea or Tamarind Iced Tea.
FAQs about Butterfly Pea Tea
Yes, butterfly pea tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it a great herbal drink to enjoy any time of day, especially in the evening.
Butterfly pea tea contains natural pigments called anthocyanins. When the pH changes, such as adding lemon or lime juice, the tea shifts from blue to purple or even pink.
It has a mild, slightly earthy and floral flavor, similar to green tea or chamomile. The taste is light, so it pairs well with citrus, herbs, or spices.
Yes! It’s commonly used as a natural blue food coloring for rice, desserts, drinks, and baked goods, especially in Southeast Asian recipes like nasi kerabu.
Yes, butterfly pea tea is commonly enjoyed as a daily herbal drink. Like most teas, it’s best consumed in moderation.
Butterfly pea tea is traditionally valued as a calming herbal drink. While it contains plant compounds like anthocyanins, more research is needed to confirm specific health benefits.
Storage
Store butterfly pea tea in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days. It stays fresh and flavorful when chilled, and it’s best served cold—no reheating needed.
For the best color and taste, keep it plain during storage and add lemon or lime just before serving. Freezing is not recommended, as it may affect the flavor and clarity of the tea.
More Refreshing Herbal Drinks Recipes
If you enjoy light, cooling drinks like butterfly pea tea, here are more refreshing Asian beverages to try:
- Lemongrass Pandan Drink – Fragrant, calming, and naturally aromatic with a gentle herbal flavor.
- Turmeric Ginger Tea – Warm and soothing with anti-inflammatory benefits and a subtle spice.
- Ginger Lemon Drink – Bright, zesty, and perfect for boosting freshness on hot days.
- Wedang Jahe – A traditional Indonesian ginger drink that’s comforting yet refreshing.
- Lychee Soda – Light, bubbly, and bursting with sweet lychee flavor, this sparkling drink is perfect for hot days.
- Pineapple Mint Soda – A refreshing mix of juicy pineapple and cooling mint with a fizzy twist.
- Cucumber Mint Drink – Crisp, clean, and ultra-refreshing, this cooling drink is perfect for staying hydrated in warm weather.
Butterfly Pea Tea
Ingredients
- 30-50 pcs dried butterfly pea flower tea
- 3-5 stalk lemongrass
- 3-4 pcs pandan leaves
- 200 gr sugar use rock sugar
- 5 litre water
Instructions
- Rinse the pandan leaves and lemongrass. Cut into shorter pieces; lightly bruise the lemongrass (optional, for more aroma). Add butterfly pea flowers, pandan, lemongrass, and rock sugar to a pot. Pour in the water.
- Place over medium heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until the tea turns a deep blue and smells fragrant. Turn off the heat and steep for another 3–5 minutes for a richer color.
- Strain out the flowers and herbs. Let the tea cool, then transfer to a clean bottle and refrigerate.
- Squeeze in lime or lemon before serving (or into each glass) to trigger the color change.
- Stir and watch the tea turn from blue to purple. The citrus version will have a light, tangy flavor.
Video
Notes
- Use fresh or dried ingredients – Fresh pandan and lemongrass give the best aroma, but dried versions work just as well for convenience.
- Adjust color depth naturally – Add more butterfly pea flowers for a deeper blue color without making the flavor too strong.
- Don’t skip the steeping step – Letting the tea steep after simmering helps intensify both the color and floral aroma.
- Trigger the color change just before serving – Add lemon or lime at the end to get that vibrant blue-to-purple transformation.
- Serve well-chilled for best flavor – Butterfly pea tea tastes most refreshing when fully chilled, especially on warm days.
You will fall in love with this floral tea! Its beautiful blue color with a hint of lemongrass and pandan leaves is not only pretty, but also refreshing!