When the afternoon feels a little too ordinary, this Butterfly Blue Boba Tea brings color back to the day. Its vibrant sapphire hue, creamy swirls, and chewy pearls turn a quiet moment into something playful and calm. The drink’s caffeine-free and naturally beautiful, so you can sip it any time. It’s mild, sweet, and softly floral with 250 to 350 calories per serving depending on milk and sugar.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need:
- 1 cup brewed butterfly pea flower tea (for that rich blue color)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (to sweeten the tea while warm)
- ½ cup tapioca pearls (adds the chewy texture)
- 1 cup milk—any kind you like, dairy or plant-based (creates creamy layers)
- Ice cubes (keeps it chilled and refreshing)
- Additional water for steeping and cooking
Butterfly pea flowers provide the striking blue shade and a mild, earthy taste. The pearls add fun chewiness. Milk gives body and contrast while ice keeps everything crisp. You can tweak the sweetness or use oat or coconut milk for a dairy-free twist.
How to Make Butterfly Blue Boba Tea
Making this drink is simple. You’ll brew the tea, cook the pearls, and layer everything for that signature look. Let’s walk through it step by step.
Brew the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
First, steep the butterfly pea flowers in hot water until the color turns a deep, jewel-toned blue. Strain out the flowers and stir in the sugar while the tea’s still warm. Let it dissolve fully, then cool it down. If you want to watch magic happen, add a squeeze of lemon juice the color shifts from blue to violet thanks to the tea’s natural pigments. You can also play with sweetness here depending on your taste.
Cook the Tapioca Pearls
Next, boil the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions until they turn soft and chewy. Drain them well and, if you’d like, toss them with a bit of syrup or sugar water to keep them from sticking together. Fresh pearls taste best, so try to cook them just before serving. The texture will be smooth, bouncy, and slightly sweet.
Assemble the Layers
Now comes the fun part. Divide the warm pearls into two tall glasses, then fill each with ice. Pour in the cooled butterfly pea tea until the glass is about three-quarters full. Next, slowly pour milk over the top. You’ll see the blue tea swirl into clouds of pale white, creating a layered ombré effect. Stir gently right before drinking to blend everything just enough. A wide straw is perfect so you can enjoy the pearls with each sip.
Flavor Variations and Helpful Tips
This drink is endlessly adaptable. Add a touch of lemon or lime juice to change the color from blue to purple. For a richer flavor, try coconut or oat milk. You can also add honey, brown sugar syrup, or vanilla extract for a softer sweetness. If you enjoy fruity twists, add a few drops of lychee or mango syrup.
Keep in mind: the color looks most vivid when the tea is fully cooled before layering. And if you want to batch this for friends, brew extra tea and store it in the fridge just make the pearls fresh each time for that ideal texture.
Serving and Storage Notes
Butterfly Blue Boba Tea tastes best right after it’s assembled. The pearls will start to harden if left too long, especially in the fridge. You can, however, prepare the tea base ahead and chill it for up to two days. When ready, cook the pearls, layer your drink, and serve immediately with a wide straw for full boba joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is blue butterfly tea made of?
It’s made from dried butterfly pea flowers, which are naturally bright blue and steeped in hot water to create a mild, earthy herbal tea.
What does butterfly blue boba taste like?
It tastes light and floral, a little earthy, and mostly creamy once mixed with milk and sugar. The pearls add a chewy, slightly caramel note.
What flavor is blue boba tea?
The flavor depends on your mix-ins. The base tea is subtle and earthy, but milk and sweetener add smoothness and balance.
What is a butterfly drink boba?
It’s a bubble tea made with butterfly pea flower tea for color, tapioca pearls for texture, and milk for layering—a caffeine-free, visually stunning drink.
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Conclusion
Butterfly Blue Boba Tea isn’t just a drink it’s a small moment of color and calm. Its soft, creamy taste and natural blue hue make it a favorite for both kids and adults. You can easily adjust sweetness, swap milks, or add citrus for a purple surprise. It’s gentle, caffeine-free, and almost too pretty to stir… almost. If you love layered, refreshing drinks, you might also enjoy exploring more ideas on Kai Recipes Pinterest or join the fun on Facebook.
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Butterfly Blue Boba Tea Recipe | Creamy, Colorful & Easy
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant, caffeine-free Butterfly Blue Boba Tea made with butterfly pea flower tea, chewy tapioca pearls, and creamy milk. It’s colorful, refreshing, and easy to customize for sweetness and dairy-free options.
Ingredients
1 cup brewed butterfly pea flower tea
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup tapioca pearls
1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
Ice cubes
Additional water for steeping and cooking
Instructions
1. Steep butterfly pea flowers in hot water until deep blue, strain, and stir in sugar while warm.
2. Let the tea cool completely.
3. Boil tapioca pearls according to package directions until soft and chewy.
4. Drain pearls and, if desired, coat lightly with sugar or syrup to prevent sticking.
5. Divide cooked tapioca pearls into glasses and add ice.
6. Pour in the cooled butterfly pea tea.
7. Slowly add milk to create layers.
8. Stir gently before drinking with a wide straw.
Notes
Butterfly pea flower tea naturally turns from blue to purple with lemon juice.
Adjust sweetness by changing sugar in tea or milk.
Use oat or coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
Tapioca pearls are best enjoyed fresh after cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Drinks Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (approx. 12 oz)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg