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Strawberry Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea in a glass with colorful layers

Strawberry Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea

Bright, swirled, and impossibly photogenic, this drink layers blue-violet tea, creamy milk, red strawberry syrup, and chewy boba for a delightful experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Beverage, Dessert
Cuisine: Asian, Fusion
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the tea
  • 1 unit Butterfly pea flower tea bag Use a high-quality tea bag or 1–2 tsp of dried flowers.
  • 1/3 cup Water (for tea) Hot water (195°F) for steeping the tea.
  • 1 teaspoon Brown sugar Stir into the brewed tea to sweeten.
For the boba
  • 1/4 cup Tapioca balls Choose fresh, large boba labeled for bubble tea.
  • 3/4 cup Water (for boiling boba) To boil the tapioca pearls.
For the assembly
  • 1/3 cup Strawberry syrup Use a thick, high-quality syrup or homemade reduction.
  • 3/4 cup Ice Pack lightly to support the layers.
  • 2/3 cup Milk (any variety) Whole milk or creamy plant milk gives the best layer separation.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Steep the butterfly pea flower tea bag in 1/3 cup of hot water (195°F) for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and stir in 1 teaspoon of brown sugar until fully dissolved. Set the brewed tea aside to cool to near room temperature before assembling.
  2. Bring 3/4 cup of water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup tapioca balls immediately to the boiling water. Keep the pot uncovered.
  3. Cook boba on medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the pearls become translucent, remove from heat and drain them in a sieve.
Assembly
  1. Place the warm tapioca balls into the bottom of a tall glass, then pour in the strawberry syrup so the pearls sit in the red layer.
  2. Fill the glass with 3/4 cup of ice on top of the syrup and boba.
  3. Slowly pour 2/3 cup of milk directly onto the ice cubes to help maintain a middle layer.
  4. Finish by gently pouring the cooled butterfly pea tea over the ice to create the final blue/purple top layer.
  5. Serve immediately with a wide straw and stir before drinking to blend flavors.

Notes

Keep brewed butterfly pea tea cool before assembly; warm tea blurs layers. Use ice as a physical separator. Store leftover brewed tea in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze assembled drinks.