Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
A stunning color-changing lemonade made with butterfly pea flowers that transforms from deep blue to vibrant purple when citrus is added. Refreshingly tart-sweet with subtle earthy notes – perfect for impressing guests on hot summer days.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried butterfly pea flowers available at Asian markets or online
- 4 cups water divided
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice from about 4-5 lemons
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar adjust to taste
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices and mint sprigs for garnish optional
Instructions
- Prepare the butterfly pea tea: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat, add the dried butterfly pea flowers, and let steep for 5-10 minutes until the water turns a deep blue color. The longer you steep, the more intense the blue will become.
- Strain the tea into a heatproof container and allow it to cool completely. Discard the used flowers.
- Make simple syrup by combining 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled butterfly pea tea, remaining 1 1/2 cups of water, and simple syrup. Stir well to blend the flavors.
- Fill serving glasses with ice and pour the blue tea mixture about halfway up each glass.
- At the table, pour the lemon juice into each glass in front of your guests to showcase the color change from blue to purple. The more lemon juice added, the more vibrant the purple will become.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a layered effect, pour the lemon juice gently over the back of a spoon into the glass to create distinct blue and purple layers.
- If butterfly pea flowers are difficult to find locally, they’re readily available online from specialty tea shops or Asian grocery websites.
- The brewed butterfly pea tea can be made a day ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the simple syrup and add more to taste.
- The intensity of the color change depends on the acidity – lime juice will create an even more dramatic color shift than lemon juice.