At a Glance
There’s a little magic in a cup of Moon Milk Tea — the way the steam curls up, carrying a faint floral perfume; the surprising, velvety blue that seems to calm the eye before the first sip; the cinnamon’s warm whisper against the honey’s soft sweetness. Moon Milk Tea is both gentle and theatrical: delicate butterfly pea tea blooms into an indigo sky when steeped in warm milk, then mellows into a comforting, soothing drink that feels like a lullaby and an embrace at once.
This recipe is perfect for winding down after a busy day, for quiet weekend mornings when you want something pretty and slow, or for sharing at a small, cozy gathering where a thoughtful beverage adds a sense of ritual. It’s easy enough for a weekday treat and elegant enough for a midnight tea service — a small ritual that invites calm.
Nutrition Highlights
Below are approximate nutrition values per serving for three common milk choices used in this recipe. Values are calculated using USDA FoodData Central entries for each milk type and USDA data for honey; butterfly pea tea and cinnamon contribute negligible calories. Sources: USDA FoodData Central; Mayo Clinic guidance on honey and milk for context.
Option A — 1 cup 2% cow’s milk + 1 tsp honey
- Calories: ~143 kcal
- Protein: ~8 g
- Carbohydrates: ~18 g (of which sugars ~15 g)
- Fat: ~5 g
- Calcium: ~300 mg (about 25–30% DV)
Option B — 1 cup unsweetened almond milk + 1 tsp honey
- Calories: ~61 kcal
- Protein: ~2 g
- Carbohydrates: ~8 g (sugars ~6 g)
- Fat: ~3.5 g
- Calcium: varies by brand (often fortified to ~200–450 mg)
Option C — 1 cup unsweetened oat milk + 1 tsp honey
- Calories: ~166 kcal
- Protein: ~4 g
- Carbohydrates: ~27 g (sugars ~11 g)
- Fat: ~6 g
- Fiber: ~2 g
Notes:
- Honey: 1 teaspoon ≈ 21 kcal and ~5.7 g sugars (USDA).
- If you use sweetened plant milks, add their sugar/calorie content accordingly.
- For clinical nutritional guidance and portioning, consult trusted sources such as the CDC and USDA FoodData Central.
Why You’ll Love It
- A feast for the senses: The color transformation alone is delightful — the electric blue is unexpected and Instagram-ready, but the real pleasure is the scent and mouthfeel. Warm milk adds roundness; cinnamon gives depth; honey adds a soft floral sweetness.
- Ritual and comfort: This drink is slow and intentional. Making it can be a calming ritual — perfect when you want to carve out a moment of mindfulness.
- Adaptable and inclusive: Works with dairy or plant-based milks, so it fits vegan or dairy-free needs (use maple syrup or agave instead of honey).
- Gentle wellness: Butterfly pea flower is caffeine-free, so Moon Milk Tea makes a great evening beverage for winding down without stimulants.
Preparation Guide
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (dairy or your favorite plant-based milk)
- 1 tsp butterfly pea tea (loose or in a teabag)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey (or to taste)
Optional ingredients and substitutions
- Sweetener alternatives: maple syrup, agave, or a sugar-free syrup (for vegans, use maple or agave instead of honey)
- Aromatics: 1/4 tsp vanilla extract or a small pinch of cardamom
- Texture boosters: a splash of heavy cream for extra richness or 1–2 tbsp oat creamer for creaminess
- Froth: use a milk frother, handheld whisk, or an immersion blender
Step-by-step instructions
- Pour 1 cup of your chosen milk into a small pot and warm over medium heat. Heat until the milk is hot to the touch and steam rises — do not let it boil (boiling can scorch the milk and dull the tea’s color).
- Add 1 teaspoon of butterfly pea tea to the milk (loose in an infuser or a teabag). Reduce heat slightly and let it steep for 3–5 minutes, watching the milk turn a rich blue color.
- Remove the tea leaves or teabag; strain if you used loose tea without an infuser.
- Stir in 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust honey or cinnamon to your preference.
- (Optional) For a frothy texture, use a milk frother, small handheld whisk, or vigorously whisk the milk to create foam on top.
- Pour the Moon Milk Tea into your favorite cup, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on top for a cozy finish, and enjoy while warm.
Practical tips
- Don’t boil: keep the milk below a simmer to preserve both color and flavor.
- Steep time: 3 minutes for a gentle color and flavor; up to 5 minutes for a deeper hue and floral note.
- Dissolving honey: remove the tea first so the honey integrates into uniformly warm milk.
- If using vanilla or cardamom, add a drop of vanilla or a pinch of cardamom with the cinnamon to bloom their flavors.
Best Pairings
- Simple pairings: a buttery shortbread cookie or almond biscotti complements the tea’s floral notes.
- Cozy combos: pair with a light oat porridge or banana toast for a comforting breakfast.
- Afternoon treats: serve alongside lemon or orange tea cakes — the citrus brightness contrasts nicely with the mellow milk.
- Presentation tip: pour into a pre-warmed mug to keep it hot longer; garnish with a cinnamon stick or a few dried edible flowers for a pretty finish.
Shelf Life & Storage
- Room temperature: Moon Milk Tea is perishable and should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (food-safety guideline).
- Refrigeration: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat (avoid boiling) and stir well.
- Freezer: not recommended. Milk-based drinks can separate and change texture after freezing and thawing.
Storing notes
- If you anticipate keeping leftovers, omit delicate garnishes and reheat only the portion you plan to drink.
- Shake or whisk after refrigeration to re-emulsify any separation.
Chef’s Advice
- Best milk choice: for the creamiest experience, whole cow’s milk or full-fat oat milk yields the most luxurious mouthfeel; for a lighter option, 2% milk or unsweetened almond milk works well.
- Color tip: acidity fades the blue color (butterfly pea shifts color with pH). Avoid adding citrus directly to the milk if you want to preserve the blue hue; add citrus as a separate garnish or pairing.
- Spice balance: cinnamon should enhance, not overpower — start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase cautiously.
- Frothing: for small amounts, a handheld frother gives better foam than electric espresso machines designed for larger volumes.
- Temperature cue: serve at about 130–140°F (54–60°C) for warm comfort without scorching or risking a burn.
Creative Twists
- Lavender Moon Milk Tea: add 1/4 tsp culinary dried lavender during steeping for a floral, sleep-friendly version (strain well).
- Golden Moon Variation: swap butterfly pea tea for a tiny pinch of turmeric plus a dash of black pepper and use maple syrup instead of honey for a warming, anti-inflammatory twist (note: this will be golden, not blue).
- Spiced Chai Moon Milk: add 1/4 tsp chai spice blend (or 1/4 tsp each cinnamon and cardamom + a pinch of ginger) for an aromatic, more complex version.
- Iced Blue Moon Latte: double the butterfly pea steep for stronger color, chill, pour over ice, and sweeten to taste for a refreshing cold beverage.
- Vegan creaminess: use full-fat canned coconut milk (diluted to taste) for a rich, tropical take — adds sweetness and body.
Recipe Q&A
Q: Can I make this caffeine-free?
A: Yes — butterfly pea flower is naturally caffeine-free, so this drink is inherently caffeine-free when made with non-caffeinated milk.
Q: Can I use sweeteners other than honey?
A: Absolutely. Maple syrup or agave work well (maple adds a richer flavor). For strict vegans, avoid honey and choose maple or agave.
Q: My milk separated after refrigeration — is it still okay?
A: Separation is a textural change from chilling milk; if it smells and tastes fine, it’s safe to consume. Reheat gently and whisk to recombine. If it smells off, discard.
Q: How can I keep the blue color vibrant?
A: Avoid acidic ingredients (like lemon) in the drink; use fresh, neutral pH milk. If you want to play with color, a tiny squeeze of lemon will shift blue to purple — pretty but different.
Q: Is butterfly pea tea safe for everyone?
A: Butterfly pea tea is widely used and generally considered safe; however, if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have specific health conditions, check with your healthcare provider before adding new herbal products to your diet.
Conclusion
Moon Milk Tea is a small, luminous ritual — simple to make, beautiful to look at, and soothing to drink. Whether you’re serving it at a relaxed dinner party or sipping it alone while you read, it’s a beverage that invites pause. For pre-mixed blends or inspiration on moon milk blends, check out Moon Milk – Tea Huntress and for a creative variation and recipe ideas, see Blue Moon Milk | Love and Olive Oil. Try it tonight, share a photo, and tell the community which twist you loved most — I’d love to hear how you made it your own.
Print
Moon Milk Tea
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A soothing and visually stunning beverage made with butterfly pea tea, warm milk, and a hint of cinnamon and honey.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (dairy or your favorite plant-based milk)
- 1 tsp butterfly pea tea (loose or in a teabag)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey (or to taste)
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of your chosen milk into a small pot and warm over medium heat. Heat until the milk is hot to the touch and steam rises — do not let it boil.
- Add 1 teaspoon of butterfly pea tea to the milk. Reduce heat slightly and let it steep for 3–5 minutes, watching the milk turn a rich blue color.
- Remove the tea leaves or teabag; strain if needed.
- Stir in 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey until fully dissolved.
- For a frothy texture, use a milk frother or whisk the milk to create foam on top.
- Pour the Moon Milk Tea into your favorite cup, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon on top, and enjoy while warm.
Notes
For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave. Adjust honey or cinnamon to your preference.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 143
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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