Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Recipe
This recipe can be scaled up or down to fit the size of your gathering. My version is healthier to cut down on sugar content. Any sweetener can be used, such as stevia, coconut sugar, or raw sugar, but my all-time favorite is organic raw honey. By using honey, you can skip the step of making a simple syrup. If you are using liquid stevia, you also skip this next step.
Simple Syrup:
- Select your type of sugar (stevia will not be a 1:1 ratio), mixing equal parts of your sugar preference to equal amounts of water 1 cup water to 1 cup sugar ratio in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir the mixture and let it come to a boil.
- Be very careful hot sugar syrup hurts!
Once it has reached a boil and all of the sugar has dissolved, give it one last stir and take it off the heat to cool. Any leftover syrup can be stored for several weeks in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
Now you are ready to prepare your Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
8 cups of filtered water
1/8 cup of organic dried Butterfly Pea Flowers
2-3 Tbs organic raw honey
Use a large pot, or you could also use a tea kettle. Depending on what you have, bring the water to a simmer. This part is essential. The water should not be boiling. It should be steaming, just getting ready to bubble up, tinny bubbles. While the water is heating, I lightly rinse my flowers and make sure there isn’t any other debris on them.
When the water comes to temperature, place 1/8th of a cup of Butterfly Pea Flowers in the 8 cups and gently stir the water and flower mixture. Remove the vessel from the stove and place a lid or clean cotton dishcloth over the top of the container. I leave mine to seep for 15-20 minutes if you prefer a stronger tea. This part depends on the taste you like. To start, you would be safe with 10-12 minutes. Remember that this mixture will be diluted with either water, lemonade, or sparkling water; you get the picture. That is why I make my base tea stronger. Not to mention the fabulous color.
Straining
By straining the tea, your final product is crystal blue and not clouded by any debris taking away from the final presentation. I use a tea sock that I picked up on my travels. I have seen them online. I am choosing a cotton or muslin natural fabric for the best results. Using my large spoon and tea sock, straining the blue tea through the sock will make sure your drink is clear ocean blue. While the mixture is still warm and now strained, add your honey so it may dissolve completely. Then transfer the strained Butterfly Tea into a clear container. I have also made individual bottles with the Butterfly Pea Tea for a magical surprise for each of my guests.
Mix-In’s
Lemonade of any kind makes a great mixer Lemon-lime soda is also a great choice Mango Freeze your Butterfly Pea Tea in ice cube trays, then drop them in your mixers for the same magical effect. Be creative!
The Base Butterfly Pea Tea to Mixer ratio should be two parts Butterfly to one part mixer. Once you have picked your mixer, you can add your simple syrup to your taste preference. *Since you have already dissolved your sugar in the water, you can easily add this simple syrup at any stage to sweeten it.
Warning: please do not try to add undissolved sugar unless the mixture is hot. The tea will become cloudy and gritty, spoiling all the fun and surprises.
Cut That Fruit
Using Limes is always a favorite try
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Starfruit
• Passion Fruit
The magical Butterfly Pea Tea transformation from blue to purple will bring many smiles and giggles to your next party.
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Please let me know what your favorite combination or creation is for your Butterfly Pea Tea.