Butterfly Pea Ice Cream: A Color-Changing Summer Scoop
Société Team
The Summer Scoop That Changes Before Your Eyes Imagine scooping a bowl of the most vivid blue ice cream you've ever seen, squeezing a wedge of lemon over the top, and watching it bloom into a swirl of purple right in front of you. That's the enchanting magic of butterfly pea ice cream — and it's surprisingly simple to make at home. This summer, we're leaning into one of our favorite herbal ingredients: Societe's Butterfly Pea Tea . Its naturally brilliant indigo pigment makes it a dream ingredient for color-changing ice cream, butterfly pea tea desserts, and every kind of whimsical blue treat you can imagine. Whether you're making it for kids, hosting a garden party, or just treating yourself to something extraordinary on a hot afternoon, this is the recipe that will absolutely stop the scroll — and the conversation. --- What Is Butterfly Pea and Why Does It Change Color? Butterfly pea ( Clitoria ternatea ) is a flowering vine native to Southeast Asia, long used in traditional herbal practices and culinary traditions across Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond. The flowers are steeped into a deep, jewel-toned blue tea that has become beloved worldwide — both for its visual drama and its subtly earthy, floral flavor. The real magic lies in its pH-sensitive pigment , called anthocyanin. When exposed to an acid (like lemon juice), the blue shifts to violet or even pink. This is the same science behind litmus paper, but far more delicious. Societe's Butterfly Pea Tea is dried and ready to steep, making it effortless to work with in the kitchen. A good steep yields an intensely pigmented liquid that translates beautifully into blue ice cream recipes, syrups, and beyond. --- The Star Recipe: Butterfly Pea Coconut Ice Cream (Color-Changing Scoop) This is the recipe we've been dreaming about all summer. It's dairy-free, deeply creamy, and produces that iconic vivid blue color that shifts to purple the moment citrus touches it. Why it works: Coconut cream provides a rich, fatty base that churns into a silky, scoopable texture. Condensed coconut milk adds natural sweetness and body without overwhelming the floral notes of the tea. The butterfly pea steep is the soul of the whole thing — don't rush it. Ingredients 3 tablespoons Societe Butterfly Pea Tea (loose) ½ cup hot water (just off the boil, around 90°C/195°F) 2 cups full-fat coconut cream, chilled ½ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Pinch of fine sea salt Lemon wedges, to serve Instructions 1. Steep the tea. Add the Butterfly Pea Tea to the hot water and steep for 8–10 minutes. You want a deeply concentrated, almost navy-blue liquid. Strain and allow to cool completely — even chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. 2. Blend the base. In a blender, combine the cooled butterfly pea tea concentrate, chilled coconut cream, condensed coconut milk, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Blend for 30–45 seconds until completely smooth and uniform in color. 3. Taste and adjust. The base should taste lightly floral, sweet, and creamy. Add a little extra condensed coconut if you prefer more sweetness. 4. Churn or freeze. If using an ice cream maker, churn according to manufacturer instructions (typically 20–25 minutes) until thick and soft-serve in texture. If churning by hand, pour into a shallow freezer-safe container, freeze for 45 minutes, then stir vigorously with a fork. Repeat every 30 minutes for 3–4 hours until creamy and scoopable. 5. Final freeze. Transfer to a sealed container and freeze for at least 2 hours for a firmer scoop. 6. The reveal. Scoop into bowls and serve immediately with a lemon wedge on the side. Squeeze lemon over the top and watch the blue shift to violet right before your eyes. Sensory cues for doneness: The ice cream is ready when it holds a soft ribbon when lifted with a spoon and has a matte (not glossy) surface after churning. Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 10 days. Press a piece of parchment directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals. Variations: - Macadamia butterfly pea ice cream: Fold in ⅓ cup roughly chopped toasted macadamia nuts during the last minute of churning for tropical crunch. - Butterfly pea powder option: Substitute 1½ teaspoons butterfly pea powder (blended directly into the base) if you don't have loose tea on hand — though the steeped version gives a more nuanced depth of flavor. --- Recipe 2: Butterfly Pea Iced Tea Lemonade Before you ever make ice cream, you should make this drink. It's the ultimate butterfly pea tea drink recipe for summer, and it's dazzling in a glass. Why it works: The lemonade acts as the acid trigger — pouring it into the blue tea creates a slow, swirling color shift that's pure theater in a pitcher. Ingredients 2 tablespoons Societe Butterfly Pea Tea (loose) 2 cups hot water 1½ cups cold water 3 tablespoons honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste) ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons) Ice cubes Lemon slices, to garnish Instructions 1. Steep the butterfly pea tea in 2 cups of hot water for 8 minutes. Strain and let cool. 2. Stir in honey or simple syrup until dissolved. Add the cold water and chill in the refrigerator. 3. Prepare your glasses with plenty of ice. 4. Pour the blue tea over the ice — it should be a rich, vivid indigo. 5. Slowly pour fresh lemon juice over the back of a spoon to layer it gently on top. 6. As you stir, watch the liquid shift from deep blue to a stunning violet-pink . 7. Serve immediately with lemon slices. Tip: For a butterfly pea flower iced tea recipe with a sparkling twist, substitute cold sparkling water for the still water. --- Recipe 3: Butterfly Pea Simple Syrup This is the most versatile preparation in your butterfly pea toolkit. Use it in cocktails, lemonades, drizzled over yogurt, or stirred into sparkling water for an instant color-changing beverage. Ingredients 2 tablespoons Societe Butterfly Pea Tea (loose) ½ cup hot water ½ cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for a deeper flavor) Instructions 1. Steep the butterfly pea tea in the hot water for 10 minutes to extract maximum color and flavor. Strain. 2. Pour the strained liquid into a small saucepan over medium-low heat. 3. Add sugar and stir continuously for 3–5 minutes until fully dissolved. Do not boil — you want a gentle simmer. 4. Remove from heat and allow to cool. The syrup will be a beautiful, concentrated indigo. 5. Store in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Uses: Add 1–2 tablespoons to lemonade, sparkling water, cocktails, or pour over vanilla ice cream for an instant color-changing effect. It also layers beautifully into the butterfly pea coconut ice cream recipe above. --- Tips for Getting the Most Vivid Blue Color The success of any blue butterfly pea ice cream or dessert depends entirely on the quality and concentration of your steep. Here are a few tips for maximum color impact: Steep longer and hotter. Don't rush the tea — 8–10 minutes in nearly-boiling water pulls far more anthocyanin than a quick dip. Use quality flowers. Societe's Butterfly Pea Tea is dried to preserve the full pigment, which makes a noticeable difference in the depth of your final color. Keep acids separate until serving. If you mix lemon into the ice cream base itself, you'll lose the blue and get purple throughout — still beautiful, but you'll miss the live reveal. Chill your steep before blending. Hot liquid can partially melt your coconut cream before churning, leading to icier texture. --- Serving Ideas for Your Color-Changing Summer Table This butterfly pea flower ice cream is a genuine showstopper at any summer gathering — but here are a few ways to make it even more memorable. Serve individual scoops in small coconut shell halves or vintage dessert coupes. Arrange lemon wedges alongside and encourage guests to squeeze their own — it turns the whole dessert interactive. Pair with a glass of the butterfly pea iced tea lemonade for a fully coordinated blue-to-purple summer spread. Drizzle with butterfly pea simple syrup and a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes for an elegant finish. The color-changing ice cream effect is most vivid when the base is a true, deep blue — so don't be shy with the tea steep. --- A Note on Wellness and Safety Butterfly pea has a long history of traditional use and is generally considered safe for most adults when consumed in culinary amounts. It's caffeine-free, making it a lovely option for an evening butterfly pea tea dessert. That said, as with any herbal ingredient, individual sensitivities can vary . If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing a health condition, please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before adding new herbs to your routine. The recipes and information shared here are not intended as medical advice. --- Ready to Make Your Own Color-Changing Magic? If this post has you dreaming of vivid blue scoops and swirling violet lemonades, you're in the right place. Societe's Butterfly Pea Tea is the ingredient behind all of it — and you can find it along with our full collection of thoughtfully sourced herbal teas at societeapothecary.com . Browse the shop, stock your pantry, and make this summer the most colorful one yet.