Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Mocktail

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Are you a tea lover looking for a fun and unique mocktail? Try this butterfly pea flower tea mocktail! This pretty blue tea turns purplish pink when mixed with lime juice, fresh mint leaves, and Lyres White Cane Spirit. It's a delicious combination of sweet and tart, and sure to impress your guests.

butterfly pea flower tea mocktail with lime garnish before being stirred

What is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?

Butterfly pea flower tea also known as Asian pigeonwings, blue tea, or blue pea tea originates in south east Asia. This herbal tea has been widely used as a natural food dye due to its stunning bright blue color. While the taste isn't like the blue raspberry flavor it looks like, it's subtle and sweet like green tea.

Blue butterfly pea flower tea has become popular in recent years due to its color changing properties when paired with acidic ingredients. A squeeze of lemon or a squeeze of lime will alter the drink's ph level, turning the intense blue color into a bright purple tea. This magic lemonade is one of the prettiest teas with a lovely floral note, defiantly one good for posting on social media!

Ingredients

Butterfly Pea Flowers - You can find these dried flowers, not fresh flowers, on Amazon. Your local Whole Foods may carry dried butterfly pea flowers. I would avoid using the butterfly pea flower powder, I prefer to use the powder when working with baked goods.
Mint Leaves - Fresh mint leaves. When used as a garnish give the leaves a slap in the palm of your hands to release their natural oils.
Simple Syrup - Barsmith Simple Syrup is great, or you can also make your own simple syrup using 1:1 sugar to water.
Lime Juice - Lemon juice is an alternate option, this will also create a fun color change. All citrus fruit will achieve these magic tricks!
Lyres White Cane Spirit - Zero Proof. The taste of this non alcoholic spirit is of sugar cane, nuts, and oranges. Then a slightly peppery finish at the end. Not a very bold white rum alternative. If you're seeking a bolder flavor, though it isn't a white rum, Rituals Zero Proof Rum is perfect. This will slightly alter the color of this drink.

How To A Make Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Mocktail

Use an electric kettle or the stove top to make hot water.
In a teapot or large container, steep the blue pea flowers for 10 minutes until it's reached a deep blue color, then allow the hot tea to cool completely.
In your cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup.
Add ice, freshly squeezed lime juice, and the Lyres White Cane Spirit to the shaker.
Fill two highball glasses with ice.
Shake for 15 seconds or until well chilled and strain into your glass, filling halfway.
Top your glass slowly with the cooled tea. Use a mesh strainer to prevent any flower bits from ending up in your drink.
Stir to turn purple! Or don't, up to you.

Mocktail being mixed in the cocktail shaker

butterfly pea flower mocktail in a tall glass unstirred

Mocktail -> Cocktail

The non-alcoholic spirit in this recipe can easily be swapped out for any white rum of your choice.

According to Liquor.com:

Budget white rum: Bacardi Superior Rum
Splurge white rum: Rhum J.M. Agricole Blanc

Drink Responsibly & Enjoy!

stirred butterfly pea flower mocktail, now purple

Expert Tips

-No access to a muddler? Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a wooden rolling pin.

-Swap out simple syrup for regular white sugar, honey, or agave syrup. Shake well so it fully dissolves.

Is there another tea blend that has color changing properties?

There is one other dried flower that will create a unique color transformation when paired with citrus fruits. Hibiscus tea flowers when steeped are a dark brownish red, when lemon or lime juice is added, this cup of tea will turn bright red.

The Forest Is Full Of Mocktails