Fresh Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
A refreshing and visually stunning lemonade that changes color from blue to purple or pink with the addition of lemon juice, made with simple ingredients and easy steps.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons dried butterfly pea flowers (organic or culinary-grade)
- 3 to 4 medium-sized fresh lemons, juiced (about 1/2 cup or 120 ml lemon juice)
- 4 cups (1 liter) water, divided
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup (50–65 g) sugar, honey, or agave syrup (sweetener of choice)
- Ice cubes, as needed
- Optional garnishes: fresh mint leaves, lemon slices, edible flowers
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups (480 ml) of water to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, add 2 tablespoons of dried butterfly pea flowers, and cover. Let steep for 8–10 minutes until the water turns a deep blue color.
- Pour the steeped tea through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a pitcher to remove the petals. Press gently on the flowers to extract all the color and flavor. Discard the flowers.
- Add the fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 cup or 120 ml) to the blue tea. Watch as the color shifts from blue to purple or vibrant pink. Stir gently.
- Stir in 1/4 to 1/3 cup (50-65 g) of your chosen sweetener while the mixture is still slightly warm to dissolve completely. Taste and add more if desired.
- Pour in the remaining 2 cups (480 ml) of cold water to dilute and balance the flavor. Add ice cubes to chill the lemonade thoroughly.
- Serve poured into glasses over extra ice, garnished with lemon slices or fresh mint if desired.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice for the best color change and flavor. Steep butterfly pea flowers for 8-10 minutes to avoid bitterness. Dissolve sweetener in warm tea to prevent clumping. For a fizzy version, replace some still water with sparkling water just before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; color may fade over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 7090
- Sugar: 1620
- Carbohydrates: 1822
Keywords: butterfly pea flower, lemonade, color changing drink, refreshing beverage, floral lemonade, natural ingredients, summer drink, vegan, gluten-free