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Vibrant Color-Changing Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade Mocktail

butterfly pea flower lemonade mocktail - featured image

A refreshing and visually stunning mocktail that changes color from deep indigo to glowing pink when lemon juice is added. Easy to make with simple ingredients and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon (23 grams) dried butterfly pea flowers
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice (about 23 lemons)
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
  • Ice cubes, as needed
  • Optional garnishes: lemon slices, fresh mint leaves, edible flowers

Instructions

  1. Bring 2 cups (480 ml) of fresh water to a rolling boil in a saucepan (about 5 minutes).
  2. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon of dried butterfly pea flowers. Cover and steep for 5-7 minutes until the water turns deep blue.
  3. Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a heatproof container or pitcher, discarding the flowers.
  4. While the tea steeps, prepare simple syrup by heating equal parts sugar and water (about 1/3 cup each) until sugar dissolves. Let cool.
  5. Squeeze fresh lemons to obtain 1/2 cup (120 ml) lemon juice, straining out seeds.
  6. In a large pitcher, combine the strained butterfly pea flower tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir gently to watch the color change from blue to purple-pink.
  7. Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the mocktail over. Garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint if desired.
  8. Serve immediately for best color and flavor, or chill tea separately up to 2 hours before serving with ice.

Notes

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best color change and flavor. Avoid oversteeping butterfly pea flowers to prevent bitterness. Prepare tea in advance and refrigerate to save time. Adjust sweetness gradually to avoid dulling the color. For a sparkling version, substitute still water with sparkling water. Garnish with edible flowers or fresh herbs for a special touch.

Nutrition

Keywords: butterfly pea flower, lemonade, mocktail, color-changing drink, refreshing beverage, non-alcoholic, summer drink