Blue Latte – Butterfly Pea Latte
This post may contain affiliate links.Butterfly Pea Latte or Blue Latte, is a soothing butterfly pea milk tea with a delicate floral taste and vibrant blue hue. Naturally caffeine-free and picture-perfect, it’s a calming drink you’ll love at first sip.
If you’re craving something different from your usual coffee, try this soothing Butterfly Pea Latte (also known as Blue Latte or Butterfly Pea Milk Tea).
Made from dried butterfly pea flowers, this Southeast Asian herbal tea brews into a deep sapphire-blue color that magically shifts to purple with a squeeze of lemon—thanks to natural pigments called anthocyanins. If you want to learn more about how to brew the base tea itself, check out my guide to making Butterfly Pea Tea.
Add frothy milk on top, and you’ve got a latte that’s as calming as it is Instagram-worthy. The taste is lightly floral and earthy, almost like green tea but softer. Plus, it’s naturally caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants, making it a cozy choice for winding down any time of day.
You can even enjoy this vibrant blue tea beyond lattes, try it in desserts like Kuih Seri Muka, Kue Lumpang, or Mango Sticky Rice, where it adds both beauty and a touch of tradition.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Butterfly pea flowers (or Butterfly Pea Tea) – This is the star ingredient that gives your latte its signature blue hue. You can use dried butterfly pea flowers to brew the tea, or pre-made butterfly pea tea if you have some ready.
Evaporated milk – I love the rich, creamy texture evaporated milk adds to this latte. If it feels too thick for your taste, simply mix it with a splash of fresh milk.
Condensed milk – Sweeten it up with condensed milk—store-bought works perfectly, or you can use homemade condensed milk if you’d like an extra touch of love.
Milk of choice – Any milk works here! Dairy, oat, almond, or coconut milk each bring a slightly different flavor and creaminess. Coconut milk in particular pairs beautifully with the floral notes.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Substitutions & Variations
Sweeteners – Instead of condensed milk, you can sweeten your butterfly pea latte with honey, maple syrup, agave, or simple syrup. Each brings a slightly different flavor, so experiment to find your favorite.
Non-dairy options – This latte works beautifully with oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. Coconut milk adds extra richness and enhances the floral flavor.
Iced Butterfly Pea Latte – Chill the brewed butterfly pea tea, pour it over ice, and top with cold frothy milk. Perfect for hot days and super refreshing.
Layered look – For an eye-catching effect, pour the milk gently over the back of a spoon to create layers of blue and white.
Color-changing twist – Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, and watch your blue latte turn purple or pink. This is a fun touch that kids (and adults!) will love.
Butterfly Pea Latte with Coffee – Want caffeine? Add a shot of espresso to make a stunning blue latte macchiato. It blends floral notes with bold coffee flavor.
Spiced version – Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for extra warmth and depth.
How to Make Butterfly Pea Latte
STEP 1. Spoon condensed milk into the bottom of a clear glass.
STEP 2. Slowly pour in the brewed (and cooled) butterfly pea tea, aiming down the side of the glass so the condensed milk stays put—do not stir.
STEP 3. In a separate cup, combine fresh milk and evaporated milk.
STEP 4. Froth the milk mixture until airy (handheld frother, French press, or shake in a jar).
STEP 5. Gently pour the frothed milk over the blue tea to create layers. Garnish with a fresh flower and enjoy.
Pro Tips
- Shake it up – For a quick method, put all the ingredients in a shaker, shake well, and pour into a glass. You get an instant latte!
- Sweetness swap – Substitute condensed milk with stevia, honey, or maple syrup if you prefer a lighter sweetener.
- Dairy-free friendly – Almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk all work beautifully. Coconut milk, in particular, brings extra richness and pairs well with the floral notes.
- Creamier version – Swap evaporated milk with heavy cream if you want a richer, dessert-like latte.
- Powder boost – Sprinkle butterfly pea flower powder on top for an extra pop of color and flavor.
- Iced latte – Add ice cubes before pouring in the tea for a refreshing cold version.
- Color-changing magic – Add a squeeze of lemon or lime before topping with milk to watch the drink turn from blue to purple.
- Adjust the sweetness – Stir the drink at the end if you’d like more condensed milk mixed in, or keep it layered for a less sweet first sip.
How to Serve
This butterfly pea latte recipe is not just beautiful on its own — it also makes a fun pairing with savory Asian dishes like Shrimp Omelette, Shrimp Balls, Fried Meatballs, Pork Shu Mai, Gyoza, or Fried Wonton. The light floral notes balance out salty and umami flavors perfectly.
For dessert, try serving this blue latte drink with something sweet and fluffy. Banana Fritters, Steamed Lemon Cake, Lapis Legit, or Pandan Chiffon Cake all make delicious companions. The vibrant butterfly pea milk tea alongside these treats creates a café-style experience right at home.
FAQs about Butterfly Pea Flower Latte
Butterfly pea flower tea or latte is generally considered safe for most individuals when consumed in moderation.
Yes. Dried butterfly pea flowers are commonly used to make the tea. In fact, many people and I find them more convenient than fresh flowers, as they have a longer shelf life and can be easily stored.
No, butterfly pea flower tea is naturally caffeine-free. This makes it a great choice for those looking to avoid caffeine or for those wanting a soothing beverage before bedtime.
Butterfly pea flowers contain natural pigments called anthocyanins. When you add something acidic like lemon or lime juice, the pH changes and the blue tea shifts to purple or pink, like a little science experiment in your cup!
The flavor is mild, slightly floral, and earthy, some say it’s similar to green tea but more delicate. Once you add milk and sweetener, it turns into a creamy, lightly floral latte that’s refreshing and comforting.
Simply brew the butterfly pea tea, let it cool, and pour it over ice. Add your milk and sweetener of choice, then top with frothy cold milk if you’d like a café-style layered look.
Yes! Add a shot of espresso to make a “blue latte macchiato.” The bold coffee flavor pairs surprisingly well with the floral notes, plus the contrast looks stunning in the glass.
Storage
I would highly recommend you drink this blue latte right after making it. You can keep it chilled for up to one day. The blue tea without milk can stay fresh longer in the chiller, if bottled properly.
More Refreshing Asian Drinks
- Try this comforting Lemon Ginger Tea or Red Ginger Drink when you have a cold.
- If you are into latte kind of floral drink, you can also try Rose Milk Tea.
- For strong tea flavor, go for Assam Milk Tea or Oolong Milk Tea.
Butterfly Pea Flower Latte
Ingredients
- 600 cc Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
- 200 cc evaporated milk
- 100 cc fresh milk
- 1 tbsp condensed milk
Instructions
- Put the condensed milk at the bottom of the glass.
- Pour in butterfly pea flower tea into the glass slowly, try not to stir the condensed milk too much.
- Froth evaporated milk and milk in another glass.
- Slowly add the frothed milk on top of the blue tea. Decorate with fresh flower.
Video
Notes
- You can put all the ingredients together in a shaker. Shake them altogether and pour into a glass.
- Substitute condensed milk with stevia for sweetener.
- For non-dairy milk, you can use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
- Top it off with butterfly pea flower powder if you have some.
- If you like it creamier, you can use heavy cream instead of evaporated milk.
I love this floral tea and when I add frothed milk into it, it becomes an amazing latte! Try this, you’ll love it, too!