Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade

Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade is a stunning, vibrant drink that's as fun to make as it is to sip. Watch the color-changing effect unfolds as the blue butterfly pea flower tea mixes with lemonade, transforming into a gorgeous purple hue-a science experiment in your glass!

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A glass of butterfly pea flower lemonade iced tea boasts an ombre purple to clear gradient, garnished with a lemon slice. Lemons and another glass stand in the background on a marble surface.

The butterfly pea flower tea is naturally blue, but when mixed with the acidic lemonade, it transforms into a gorgeous purple hue-a fun science experiment in your glass!

Ingredient notes:

Clear glasses labeled ice, lemonade, boiling water, and a small bowl with dried butterfly pea flowers rest on a white marble surface, ready to create the vibrant Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade.

1 cup store-bought lemonade (or homemade, if preferred)
1 teaspoon dried butterfly pea flowers (or 2 butterfly pea flower tea bags)
1 cup hot boiling water
Ice cubes
Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

Recipe Card?

To find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions CLICK HERE to go to the recipe card.

What does butterfly pea flower taste like?

Butterfly pea flower has a mild, earthy flavor with subtle floral notes. It's not overpowering, making it a great base for drinks like this lemonade.

Substitutions

Can I use homemade lemonade instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade lemonade works perfectly and allows you to control the sweetness and tartness to your preference.

Can I use cold water instead of hot water to steep the flowers?

Hot water extracts the color and flavor more effectively, but you can cold-steep the flowers overnight in the refrigerator for a lighter version.

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Helpful Kitchen Tools

A clear glass pitcher, is filled with iced red liquid and slices of blood oranges on a light surface.

Crystal Glass Pitcher

Features a sturdy handle and sleek spout, ensuring effortless, precise pours.

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Instructions

Top view of a teapot filled with vibrant blue liquid, resembling refreshing Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade, beside a bowl of dried butterfly pea flowers on a white marble surface.

Prepare the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

In a heatproof container, pour 1 cup of boiling water over the butterfly pea flowers (or tea bags).
Let it steep for 5 minutes, or until the water turns a rich, vibrant blue.
Remove the flowers or tea bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.

Two glasses filled with round ice cubes on a marble surface.

Assemble the Drink

Fill two 12-ounce glasses with ice cubes.

A person pours a dark liquid from a glass teapot into a glass with ice and a lemon slice, crafting a refreshing concoction. In the background, a similar glass contains Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade, its purple hue complementing the scattered lemon halves and blue petals.

Pour ½ cup of store-bought lemonade into each glass.

Pouring blue Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade into a glass with ice, creating a stunning purple ombre effect. A sliced lemon adorns the rim, while additional lemons and a second glass are artfully placed in the background.

Add the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

A glass pitcher pours vibrant butterfly pea flower lemonade into an iced glass with a purple hue, garnished with a lemon slice. Two other similar drinks are in the background.

Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the lemonade in each glass.

Why does the color change when mixed with lemonade?

The butterfly pea flower contains a natural pH-sensitive pigment called anthocyanin. When mixed with acidic lemonade, the blue color shifts to purple or pink.

Garnish and Serve

Watch as the blue tea mixes with the lemonade, creating a stunning purple color change!

Customization Ideas

Adding a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy version.
Sweetening the tea with honey or simple syrup for a more floral flavor.
Use limeade instead of lemonade for a tangier twist.

Did you make this recipe?

Do you have feedback that would be helpful to others? If so can help this small business owner by leaving a rating and a review in the comments section? Thank you for being part of the Savoring The Good Community. ~ Sarah

Storage Tips

If you have leftover butterfly pea flower tea, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Mix with lemonade just before serving.

Souper Cubes

Pour extra tea into silicone molds, freeze, and add the butterfly pea flower ice cubes to lemonade at a later date.

Purchase

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Blue Tea package with butterfly pea flowers. Labeled as caffeine-free herbal tea with 10 pyramid teabags. Loose flowers and a single teabag are displayed in front.

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

10 Count - Pyramid Plant Based Tea Bags

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Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:

Can I use fresh butterfly pea flowers instead of dried?

Yes, you can use fresh flowers, but you may need to adjust the quantity since fresh flowers are less concentrated. Start with 5-6 fresh flowers and adjust to taste.

More garnish options

Besides lemon slices, try garnishing with fresh mint leaves, edible flowers, or a sprinkle of butterfly pea flower powder for extra flair.

Chef Tip

If your store-bought lemonade is too tart, add a touch of honey or simple syrup to balance the flavors.

Beverages

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A glass of butterfly pea flower lemonade is being poured, displaying a gradient from blue to purple, garnished with a lemon slice. Lemons and dried flowers are scattered on the white surface.

Sarah Mock

Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade (Color-Changing Drink)

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Make stunning Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade at home! This vibrant, color-changing drink is easy to prepare with just 5 ingredients.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Cool Time 5

Total Time 15

Servings: 2 servings

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Asian

Calories: 60

Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients

1 Teaspoon dried butterfly pea flowers or 2 butterfly pea flower tea bags
1 Cup boiling water
1 Cup lemonade store-bought
Ice cubes
Lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Method

Prepare Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

In a heatproof container, pour 1 cup of boiling water over the butterfly pea flowers (or tea bags). Let it steep for 5 minutes until the water turns a rich blue color. Remove the flowers or tea bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
1 Cup boiling water, 1 Teaspoon dried butterfly pea flowers

Assemble the Drink

Fill two glasses with ice cubes. Pour ½ cup of store-bought lemonade into each glass.
Ice cubes, 1 Cup lemonade

Add Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the lemonade in each glass. Enjoy the beautiful color change as the blue tea mixes with the lemonade!

Garnish and Serve

Garnish with lemon slices, if desired. Stir gently and serve.
Lemon slices

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 60kcalCarbohydrates: 15gSodium: 13mgSugar: 14gCalcium: 4mg

Nutrition Discolure

Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

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I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 16 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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