If you’re looking for a refreshing and colorful drink to serve at your next gathering or simply enjoy on a hot day, the Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink is a perfect choice. With the beautiful blue hue from butterfly pea flowers and the creamy sweetness of coconut milk, this beverage offers a visual and sensory treat. It’s not only a delightful drink but also versatile enough to be enjoyed as a jelly or even as part of your kid-friendly meals.
This recipe combines the exotic butterfly pea flower with coconut milk to create a unique and visually stunning drink. In this article, we’ll explore how to make this drink, its benefits, and variations you can try at home. From delicious jelly recipes to beautiful desserts that can also be served as drinks, this recipe will satisfy both your taste buds and your eyes.
What is Butterfly Pea Flower?
The butterfly pea flower, also known as Clitoria ternatea, is a strikingly beautiful flower native to Southeast Asia. This small, vibrant blue flower has been used for centuries in traditional medicines and culinary practices, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries. The flower is not only known for its unique color but also for its numerous health benefits.
The butterfly pea flower is rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which are responsible for its blue color. It has been used in various forms such as tea, juices, and even as a natural food coloring. As a bonus, butterfly pea flowers are known to have potential health benefits, including promoting good skin health, improving brain function, and offering anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients for Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink
The beauty of this drink lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink:
- Butterfly Pea Flowers: Dried butterfly pea flowers are the star ingredient of this drink. These can be easily found in specialty food stores or online. If you don’t have access to them, you can substitute with butterfly pea powder.
- Coconut Milk: This ingredient adds a rich and creamy texture to the drink, balancing the floral notes of the butterfly pea flower. It’s also a dairy-free option that is perfect for those on vegan or lactose-free diets.
- Sweetener: Depending on your preference, you can use sugar, honey, agave syrup, or any other sweetener of your choice to add the perfect touch of sweetness to your drink.
- Lemon Juice: A small amount of lemon juice will bring out the vibrant blue color of the butterfly pea flower and add a refreshing tang to the drink.
- Ice Cubes: For a chilled, refreshing drink, ice cubes are essential. If you’re making a jelly version of the drink, you can freeze the butterfly pea liquid into cubes to create a fun texture.
How to Make Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink
Step 1: Prepare the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
The first step in making your Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink is to prepare the butterfly pea tea. Start by boiling about 1 cup of water. Once the water is boiling, add 1-2 teaspoons of dried butterfly pea flowers. Let the flowers steep for 5-10 minutes, allowing the vibrant blue color to infuse into the water. The longer you steep the flowers, the richer the blue color will be.
Once the tea has reached your desired color intensity, strain out the flowers and let the tea cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Prepare the Coconut Milk
While the butterfly pea tea is cooling, prepare your coconut milk. If you’re using canned coconut milk, shake the can well to ensure it is fully mixed. For a thinner consistency, you can dilute the coconut milk with a little water or adjust the amount of coconut milk depending on how creamy you want the drink to be.
You can also add a sweetener to the coconut milk at this stage. Stir in the sweetener of your choice (such as sugar or honey) to the coconut milk and mix thoroughly until the sweetener dissolves.
Step 3: Combine Butterfly Pea Tea and Coconut Milk
Once the butterfly pea tea has cooled, it’s time to assemble your drink. Pour the butterfly pea tea into a glass, filling it about halfway. Slowly pour the coconut milk into the glass. You’ll notice that the coconut milk will start to float on top of the butterfly pea tea, creating a beautiful layered effect. For a more integrated drink, stir gently to mix the two together.
Step 4: Add Ice Cubes and Serve
To make the drink more refreshing, add a handful of ice cubes to your glass. If you want to make this a kid-friendly meal, serving it in fun cups with straws can make the drink more appealing to younger guests.
At this point, you can also add a splash of lemon juice if you want to enhance the color and add a bit of tangy flavor. The acidity of the lemon juice will react with the butterfly pea tea, transforming the blue hue into a beautiful purple or pink shade. This change in color makes it a great option for creative and beautiful desserts or simply as a fun drink.
Butterfly Pea Jelly Recipes
While the Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink is a refreshing beverage, you can also take it a step further and turn it into a jelly. Jelly recipes are a popular way to enjoy the unique flavors and colors of the butterfly pea flower while adding a fun texture.
To make a Butterfly Pea Jelly, follow these steps:
- Prepare Butterfly Pea Tea: Start by making butterfly pea tea, as described earlier.
- Make Jelly Base: In a separate bowl, dissolve agar-agar powder (a vegetarian alternative to gelatin) or gelatin powder in a small amount of water. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Combine with Sweetener: Add the dissolved agar or gelatin to the butterfly pea tea along with any desired sweeteners. Stir well.
- Set the Jelly: Pour the butterfly pea mixture into molds or a shallow dish and refrigerate until the jelly sets, usually about 1-2 hours. Once set, you can cut it into cubes or other fun shapes.
- Serve with Coconut Milk: For a beautiful dessert, serve the butterfly pea jelly cubes in a bowl and pour coconut milk over them. The result is a stunning, colorful dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.
This jelly recipe is not only a beautiful dessert but also a fun way to incorporate the butterfly pea flower into kid-friendly meals. The smooth, creamy coconut milk pairs perfectly with the bouncy texture of the jelly, making for a delightful treat.
Kid-Friendly Meals and Beautiful Desserts
The Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink and its jelly variation are both kid-friendly meals and beautiful desserts that can appeal to both adults and children. Kids are often drawn to colorful foods, and the striking blue (or purple) hue of the butterfly pea flower is sure to captivate them.
If you’re looking for a fun way to serve these drinks at a party or a family gathering, consider incorporating them into your menu with other pea recipes or desserts. You can serve the drink alongside other colorful jellies or desserts to create a vibrant spread that kids will love.
In addition, the versatility of butterfly pea flowers means they can be used in a variety of other recipes. You can create butterfly pea smoothies, add them to other drinks, or use them to create visually stunning baked goods and candies.
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower and Coconut Milk
In addition to its beauty, the Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink has a number of health benefits. The butterfly pea flower is rich in antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. The flower also supports skin health by promoting collagen production and may improve cognitive function due to its anti-stress properties.
Coconut milk, on the other hand, is a great source of healthy fats and essential nutrients like manganese, copper, and iron. It’s also a dairy-free alternative, making it a perfect choice for those with lactose intolerance or those following a vegan lifestyle.
By combining these two ingredients, you’re creating a drink that not only tastes good but also provides a variety of health benefits. Whether you’re enjoying it as a refreshing beverage or as part of a dessert, you can feel good about the nutrients you’re consuming.
Conclusion
The Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink is a stunning and delicious beverage that combines the beauty of the butterfly pea flower with the creamy richness of coconut milk. Whether you’re serving it as a drink, a jelly, or a dessert, this recipe is a great way to introduce your guests to beautiful desserts and creative jelly recipes.
With its vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and kid-friendly appeal, the Butterfly Pea & Coconut Milk Drink is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. It’s an excellent option for a creative and beautiful dessert, a fun drink for kids, or even a unique addition to your everyday meals.
