Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
A refreshing and visually stunning lemonade that changes color from deep blue to vibrant purple when lemon juice is added, combining floral notes with a crisp lemon bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup (about 5 grams) dried butterfly pea flowers
- 3 cups (720 ml) water for steeping
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup (50–65 grams) sugar or honey, adjust to taste
- Ice cubes, as needed
- Optional: mint leaves for garnish
- Optional: lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Bring 3 cups (720 ml) of water to a gentle boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup (about 5 grams) dried butterfly pea flowers. Let steep for 5-7 minutes until the water turns a deep, vibrant blue. If too pale, add more flowers and steep longer.
- Strain the steeped liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl or pitcher, discarding the flowers.
- While the tea is still warm, stir in 1/4 to 1/3 cup (50-65 grams) sugar or honey until fully dissolved. Adjust sweetness to taste.
- Let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until cold.
- When ready to serve, stir in 1/2 cup (120 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice and watch the color shift from deep blue to vibrant purple.
- Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the butterfly pea flower lemonade over the top. Garnish with lemon slices and optional mint leaves.
- Optional: If flavor is too intense, dilute with cold water or sparkling water to taste.
Notes
Add lemon juice only just before serving to preserve the dramatic color change. Avoid steeping flowers too long or boiling vigorously to prevent bitterness. Dissolve sweetener while tea is warm for best results. Use clear glasses to enjoy the color-changing effect. Store sweetened tea without lemon juice up to 3 days refrigerated; consume within 24 hours after adding lemon juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz (240 ml)
- Calories: 6080
- Sugar: 1520
- Carbohydrates: 1520
Keywords: butterfly pea flower, lemonade, color-changing drink, refreshing beverage, floral lemonade, summer drink, easy recipe