Quick answer
How to make butterfly pea iced tea
To make one glass of butterfly pea iced tea, steep 7–10 whole dried Clitoria ternatea flowers in 250 ml hot water for 5–7 minutes. Strain, cool briefly and pour over ice. Add 1–2 teaspoons of lime juice only when serving: the acidity changes the blue tea to violet or pink and gives its mild, earthy flavour a brighter finish.
- Use whole dried butterfly pea flowers for a clear blue tea; powder is better for lattes, baking and food colouring.
- Brew the blue base first and add lime at the end if you want to see the colour change in the glass.
- For a clean cold brew, steep the flowers in covered water in the refrigerator for 4–6 hours.
- Mint, jasmine sambac and lemongrass each add aroma without overwhelming the flower.
Butterfly pea flower tea—often called blue tea—is one of those drinks that feels surprising before the first sip. Whole dried flowers turn hot water a deep, clear blue. Add lime, and the colour moves towards violet or pink. The change is real chemistry, but the drink itself can remain wonderfully simple: flowers, water, ice and a little citrus.
In Thailand, Clitoria ternatea is known as anchan. Its flowers colour drinks, rice and desserts and are also dried for infusion. The flavour is mild, gently earthy and green rather than sweet or heavily floral. That subtle character is why lime matters: it gives the drink a lively finish while leaving room for fresh mint, lemongrass or Jasminum sambac.
How to make butterfly pea iced tea with lime
For one generous glass, use 7–10 whole dried butterfly pea flowers, 250 ml hot water, plenty of ice and 1–2 teaspoons of lime or lemon juice. Honey, fresh mint, lemongrass, food-grade jasmine sambac or sparkling water are optional.
Bring the water just to the boil, take it off the heat and pour it over the dried blue flowers. Steep for 5–7 minutes. The infusion should look stronger than a hot cup because melting ice will dilute both colour and flavour. Strain the flowers, add honey while the tea is still warm if desired, and let it cool for a few minutes.
Fill a glass with ice and pour in the blue tea. Serve the citrus separately if you want the transformation to happen at the table. Lime is especially good: its lively green-citrus character complements the mild flower while its acidity shifts the blue towards violet. Lemon creates a softer, more familiar lemonade profile.
Why does blue butterfly pea tea turn purple?
The flowers contain blue pigments called ternatins, part of the anthocyanin family. Their visible colour responds to acidity. Lime and lemon lower the drink’s pH, changing how the pigments absorb and reflect light.
A small squeeze usually moves the tea towards violet; more acid produces pinker tones and a tarter drink. The final shade also varies with infusion strength and the minerals in the water. If the plain tea is too pale, use more flowers or steep a little longer rather than boiling the infusion aggressively.
Hot brew or cold brew?
The hot method above is quickest and gives a saturated blue base in minutes. It is the best choice when you want to prepare and serve the drink on the same day. Cool it promptly and keep it covered in the refrigerator until serving.
For cold-brew butterfly pea tea, place 10–15 whole dried flowers in 500 ml cold water, cover and refrigerate for 4–6 hours. Strain when the colour is clear and strong. Cold brewing produces a particularly clean, translucent blue and a gentle flavour. Keep the citrus separate until the tea reaches the glass.
How to make blue tea taste good
Lime and fresh mint
Mint lifts the flower’s earthy-green note, while lime brings brightness and a vivid colour change. It is one of the freshest ways to serve butterfly pea over ice.
Jasmine sambac
A small amount of food-grade Jasminum sambac blossom gives the mild tea an elegant floral top note. Use it carefully so that it frames the butterfly pea rather than covering it.
Lemongrass
Steep a small piece with the flowers. Its citrus-green aroma gives the drink more structure without hiding the blue colour.
Sparkling cooler
Make a concentrated infusion with half the water, cool it, pour it over ice and top with sparkling water. Add lime at the end.
Whole butterfly pea flowers or powder?
Whole dried flowers are the clearest choice for hot or iced blue tea because the botanical material remains visible and can be strained cleanly. They also make it easy to judge the flower’s shape, colour and condition before brewing.
Butterfly pea powder disperses directly into liquid and works well in lattes, smoothies, baking, rice and desserts, where the flower is intended to remain in the recipe. For a transparent blue infusion, begin with whole flowers; choose powder when even colour distribution matters more than clarity.
How to recognise fresh, well-kept blue tea flowers
A useful quality check begins before the flowers reach the cup. Carefully handled whole flowers retain a recognisable form, a strong blue colour and a clean botanical scent. Tea that has been over-dried, left open to humid air or stored for too long may still colour water, but its aroma can be flat.
Green Botanica sources whole butterfly pea flowers from Thailand, keeps them in vacuum-sealed storage and packs small batches intended to be enjoyed within a few months. Limiting exposure to oxygen, humidity, heat and direct light helps preserve the clear colour and fresh aroma that distinguish well-kept blue herbal tea.
Can butterfly pea iced tea be made ahead?
Yes. Store the strained blue base in a covered container in the refrigerator and use it within 2–3 days for the best colour and aroma. Add lime, lemon, mint and sparkling water only when serving.
Keeping the citrus separate prevents the whole batch from turning purple before it reaches the table. It also lets each person adjust the acidity and watch the blue-to-violet colour change in their own glass.
FAQ
Butterfly pea tea questions
Is blue tea the same as butterfly pea tea?
Usually, yes. In this context, blue tea means a caffeine-free herbal infusion made from dried Clitoria ternatea flowers. The name can also appear as butterfly pea flower tea, blue pea tea, Thai blue tea or anchan tea.
How many butterfly pea flowers do I need for one cup?
Use about 7–10 whole dried flowers for 250 ml water. For iced tea, brew a strong blue base because melting ice will dilute it.
Does butterfly pea tea contain caffeine?
A drink made only from butterfly pea flowers and water is naturally caffeine-free. A blend may contain caffeine if black, green or another true tea has been added.
What does butterfly pea flower tea taste like?
It is mild, smooth and gently earthy-green rather than sweet or strongly floral. Lime brightens it; mint, lemongrass or a little jasmine sambac can add aroma.
Can I cold-brew butterfly pea flowers?
Yes. Cover 10–15 whole flowers with 500 ml cold water, refrigerate for 4–6 hours, then strain. Add citrus only when serving.
Why did my butterfly pea tea not turn blue?
The flowers may be old, the infusion too weak or the water already acidic. Try fresh whole flowers, filtered water and a slightly longer steep before adding any citrus.