If you’re a fan of refreshing drinks recipes and want to add a magical, ocean-inspired touch to your beverage routine, the Ocean Latte is a must-try creation. With its layered beauty, unique flavor, and vivid blue hues from butterfly pea tea, this drink is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a showstopper for your social feed.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the Ocean Latte step-by-step and share how it fits beautifully into your collection of tea drink recipes, smoothie drink recipes, and drink recipes nonalcoholic. We’ll also explore how this beautiful beverage draws inspiration from trendy bubble tea recipes, while being an innovative part of your iced drinks recipes collection.
What is the Ocean Latte?
The Ocean Latte is a layered, nonalcoholic drink that combines the earthy tones of coffee or milk with the natural blue hues of butterfly pea tea. The color-changing flower tea creates a visually captivating contrast when combined with creamy elements like coconut milk, almond milk, or even frothed dairy milk.
While the term “latte” traditionally refers to espresso mixed with steamed milk, the Ocean Latte takes a creative spin, blending coffee drink recipes and tea drink recipes into a single masterpiece.
Why You’ll Love This Ocean Latte
- Naturally Caffeine-Free Option: Made with butterfly pea flowers, it’s a calm-inducing herbal tea—great for evenings or anyone avoiding caffeine.
- Instagram-Worthy Look: The magical blue and purple hues give this drink an oceanic vibe that’s irresistibly photogenic.
- Versatile Base: You can make it dairy-free, add boba pearls for a bubble tea recipe twist, or even make it a smoothie.
- Great Summer Beverage: As a chilled iced drinks recipe, it’s perfect for cooling off on warm days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we jump into the full recipe, here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to prepare this delicious homemade drink:
For the Butterfly Pea Tea Layer
- 1 tablespoon dried butterfly pea flowers (or 1 teabag)
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
- Ice cubes
For the Creamy Layer
- 1/2 cup coconut milk or almond milk (for a dairy-free version)
- 1/4 cup frothed milk (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sweetener of choice (maple syrup, honey, or stevia)
Optional Additions
- 1/4 cup tapioca pearls (to make it a bubble tea recipe)
- 1 shot espresso (if you want a caffeine kick and combine with coffee drink recipes)
- Crushed ice or smoothie-style blending for a smoothie drink recipe version
Step-by-Step Ocean Latte Recipe
Step 1: Brew the Butterfly Pea Tea
Start by brewing your butterfly pea flowers in 1 cup of hot water. Let it steep for 5–7 minutes until the water turns a rich, deep blue. The longer you steep, the darker the color. Strain and set aside to cool. You can sweeten this tea with honey or agave syrup for a sweeter version.
✅ Pro Tip: To make this part ahead, chill your brewed tea in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Base
In a glass or shaker, combine coconut milk (or your milk of choice), vanilla extract, and your sweetener. You can also add a bit of frothed milk to make it feel more like a traditional latte.
✅ Pro Tip: If you’re making a smoothie drink recipe version, blend this base with crushed ice.
Step 3: Assemble the Ocean Latte
Fill a clear glass with ice. Pour in the creamy milk layer first. Then, slowly and carefully pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the back of a spoon to float it on top. This creates a stunning layered look that mimics the ocean.
✅ Optional: Add tapioca pearls at the bottom for a bubble tea recipe touch, or pour a shot of espresso between the milk and tea for a caffeinated coffee drink recipe version.
Ocean Latte Variations to Try
One of the best things about this homemade drink is its adaptability. Whether you prefer tea drink recipes, coffee drink recipes, or smoothie drink recipes, the Ocean Latte can transform to suit your taste.
1. Butterfly Pea Bubble Latte
Add chewy tapioca pearls to make a butterfly pea-infused bubble tea recipe. Serve with a wide straw and enjoy the texture contrast.
2. Espresso Ocean Latte
Pour a shot of espresso in the middle for a layered coffee drink recipe that balances earthy tea and strong coffee.
3. Ocean Smoothie Latte
Blend the milk layer with a frozen banana and ice to make a tropical smoothie drink recipe with a visual and textural twist.
4. Citrus Ocean Iced Tea
Squeeze in some lemon juice and watch the color change from blue to purple! This makes for a fun science-meets-refreshment drink under the iced drinks recipes umbrella.
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Tea
Besides its visual appeal, butterfly pea flower tea comes with a range of health benefits:
- Rich in Antioxidants: Helps combat oxidative stress
- Natural Stress-Reducer: Used in Ayurvedic traditions for its calming properties
- Caffeine-Free: Ideal for those avoiding stimulants
- Mood Enhancer: The bright color and aromatic experience uplift the senses
These benefits make the Ocean Latte not just a visual treat but also a valuable addition to your refreshing drinks recipes list.
Tips for the Perfect Ocean Latte
- Use Clear Glasses: The layering effect is best seen in tall, transparent glasses.
- Chill Ingredients Separately: Keeping everything cold helps with clean layers.
- Add Lemon for Fun: Acid like lemon juice changes butterfly pea tea to a vibrant purple.
Pairing Ideas with Ocean Latte
- Light Brunch: Pair with a fruit salad or avocado toast for a tropical brunch.
- Afternoon Snack: Enjoy it with a granola bar or coconut macaroons.
- Summer Picnics: A pitcher of Ocean Latte will wow your guests and fit any iced drinks recipes collection.
FAQs
Is Ocean Latte Caffeinated?
The basic Ocean Latte is caffeine-free. However, you can add espresso for a custom coffee drink recipe version.
Can I Make It Ahead?
You can prep the butterfly pea tea and milk base separately and assemble just before serving.
Does It Taste Like Regular Tea?
Not exactly. Butterfly pea tea has a mild, earthy, almost grassy taste that blends beautifully with vanilla and milk for a subtle, calming drink.
SEO Keyword Integration Recap
Let’s take a second to highlight how the Ocean Latte brings multiple drink trends together:
- As part of bubble tea recipes, you can add pearls or jelly for texture.
- It’s one of the most Instagram-friendly iced drinks recipes you’ll ever make.
- It’s perfect for your tea drink recipes collection, with butterfly pea tea at the heart.
- Without alcohol or artificial additives, it’s an ideal candidate for drink recipes nonalcoholic.
- Want it thicker and blended? Now it belongs to your smoothie drink recipes arsenal.
- Craving new refreshing drinks recipes this summer? Ocean Latte is your go-to.
- Featuring butterfly pea, it brings both color and wellness benefits.
- As part of your homemade drinks list, it’s easy to prepare and customize.
- With added espresso, it becomes a hybrid in your coffee drink recipes collection.
Final Thoughts
The Ocean Latte is more than just a pretty face—it’s a flavorful, versatile, and mood-lifting beverage perfect for warm weather or when you just need something beautiful and calming in your cup. Whether you’re a fan of tea drink recipes, coffee drink recipes, or just love making homemade drinks, this recipe deserves a spot in your repertoire.
So go ahead—brew that butterfly pea tea, pour your favorite milk, and layer up a little taste of the ocean right at home.
