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Forget Cloud Coffee: How to Make the Viral "Blue Cloud" Tea Latte

If you have been on TikTok recently, you have seen the "Cloud Coffee" trend—espresso topped with fluffy coconut foam. It looks amazing, but it comes with a downside: Caffeine Jitters.

There is a better way to hijack this visual trend. Meet the "Blue Cloud" Tea Latte. It uses Butterfly Pea Flower tea to create a stunning, sapphire-blue drink that is 100% caffeine-free, packed with antioxidants, and—here is the magic part—changes color when you add lemon.

A tall glass with layers of blue butterfly pea tea, ice, and fluffy white coconut cold foam.

Why This Drink is Viral

  • The Look: Deep sapphire blue that turns purple/pink with acid. It's "drinkable art."
  • The Health: Rich in anthocyanins (skin health) and zero caffeine. No afternoon crash.
  • The Taste: Mild, woody, and earthy—the perfect canvas for vanilla or honey foam.

1. What is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?

This isn't artificial dye. The intense blue color comes from the Clitoria ternatea plant, native to Southeast Asia. For centuries, it has been used in Thailand (as Nam Dok Anchan) as a welcome drink.

[Image of dried butterfly pea flowers]

The Science of the "Mood Ring" Effect:
Butterfly Pea Flower contains a specific antioxidant called Anthocyanin. This compound is a natural pH indicator.
• Neutral pH (Water): Deep Blue.
• Acidic pH (Lemon/Lime): Bright Purple/Pink.
• Alkaline pH (Matcha/Saffron): Deep Green.

Where to Buy?

Don't buy generic powder—it often contains fillers. Look for whole dried flowers or pure milled powder. Check our vetted list of the best brands: Best Butterfly Pea Flower Teas of 2025 →

2. The "Blue Cloud" Recipe

Here is how to recreate the $8 cafe drink at home for pennies.

Viral Blue Cloud Latte

Prep: 5 mins Difficulty: Easy Caffeine: Zero

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers (or 1 tsp powder)
  • 150ml Hot Water
  • 1 tbsp Honey or Vanilla Syrup
  • The "Cloud" Foam: 50ml Coconut Milk (canned is best) or Oat Milk
  • Ice Cubes
  • Optional: Squeeze of lemon (for the color change trick)

Instructions:

  1. Brew the Base: Steep the flowers in hot water for 5 minutes until the liquid is deep indigo blue. Strain and stir in the honey/syrup while warm. Let it cool slightly.
  2. Make the Foam: While the tea cools, use a handheld frother to whip the coconut/oat milk until it is thick and airy (like a cloud).
  3. Assemble: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the blue tea over the ice until 3/4 full.
  4. The "Cloud" Pour: Gently pour the white foam on top. It will sit like a cloud layer.
  5. The Magic (Optional): Serve with a wedge of lemon. Tell your guest to squeeze it in and watch the blue layer turn violet instantly.

3. Why It's Better Than "Cloud Coffee"

The coffee version of this trend relies on massive amounts of sugar to balance the bitterness of espresso. Because Butterfly Pea Flower has a very mild, woody flavor (similar to green tea but less grassy), it requires far less sweetener.

Plus, you are drinking Anthocyanins—the same antioxidants found in blueberries that support collagen production and skin health. It is literally a beauty drink.

Want Energy Instead?

If you love the "Cloud" look but *need* caffeine, try this recipe with Matcha. It creates a stunning "Green Cloud" latte. See our guide: The Best Matcha Powders for Lattes →

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