A little about this dish
To celebrate International Tea Day in New York City, this drink turns tea into a showstopping centerpiece: a sparkling hibiscus–jasmine tea spritz layered with lychee, lemon, and a dramatic cloud of butterfly pea tea. Hibiscus brings a tart ruby punch, jasmine green tea adds floral elegance, and butterfly pea tea creates a stunning violet-blue gradient when it meets citrus. The result is refreshing, city-chic, and perfect for a May rooftop toast.
Ingredients (for 4)
- Hibiscus tea — 4 tea bags or 4 tbsp — brew
- Jasmine green tea — 2 tea bags — brew
- Butterfly pea flower tea — 2 tea bags or 2 tbsp dried flowers — brew
- Lychee syrup — 1/2 cup
- Lychees — 12 whole — drain and halve
- Fresh lemon juice — 1/3 cup — juice
- Sparkling water — 3 cups — chill
- Lemon — 1 whole — slice into thin wheels; peel extra for garnish
- Fresh mint — 1/2 cup — pick leaves and sprigs, divided
- Edible flowers — 2 tbsp — use for garnish
- Ice cubes — 4 cups
- Sugar — 2 tbsp — use for optional rim
- Water — 3 cups — divide for brewing
- Salt — 1 tiny pinch — optional
Preparation
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Step 1 — 🍵🌺🫖Bring 2 cups of water just to a boil. Steep the hibiscus tea and jasmine green tea together for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags or strain. Stir in the lychee syrup and the tiny pinch of salt if using, then chill until cold.
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Step 2 — 🦋💙❄️Steep the butterfly pea flower tea in 1 cup hot water for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the tea bags or strain the flowers, then chill until cold.
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Step 3 — 🍋🥂✨If you want a sweet rim, rub the edges of 4 tall glasses with a lemon slice and dip them in sugar.
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Step 4 — 🧊🥭🌿Fill each glass with ice cubes. Divide the halved lychees, lemon wheels, and some fresh mint leaves among the glasses.
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Step 5 — 🌺🥤🔴Pour the chilled hibiscus-jasmine mixture evenly into the glasses, filling each glass about two-thirds full.
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Step 6 — 🍋🥄💛Divide the fresh lemon juice evenly among the glasses and stir gently once or twice.
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Step 7 — ✨💧🥂Pour the well-chilled sparkling water into each glass.
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Step 8 — 🔵🟣🥄Slowly pour the chilled butterfly pea tea over the back of a spoon into each glass to make a blue and violet layered effect.
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Step 9 — 🌸🌿🍹Top each drink with mint sprigs, edible flowers, and a curled strip of lemon peel. Serve right away.
A final fox tip
This is a nonalcoholic celebration drink, but it can easily become a cocktail with a splash of gin, vodka, or prosecco. For a stronger New York tea-house vibe, serve it with a skewer of lychee and mint across each glass. Butterfly pea tea is naturally color-changing, so this drink becomes a little bit of edible theater—perfect for International Tea Day photos.