Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Color-changing magic: Watch as the drink transforms from blue to purple when lemon juice is added. It’s a fun, visually captivating treat that’s sure to impress.
- Healthy and refreshing: Packed with antioxidants from butterfly pea flowers and the refreshing zest of lemon, this drink is both flavorful and good for you.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness to your liking with honey, sugar, or any sweetener of your choice, and even make it fizzy with sparkling water.
- Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients, you can prepare this beautiful and unique beverage in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 tablespoon dried butterfly pea flowers
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
- ¼ cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
- 3 cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Directions
1. Steep the butterfly pea flowers:
- Place the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heatproof container and pour 1 cup of hot water over them. Let the flowers steep for 10 minutes, until the water turns a deep blue.
2. Strain the tea:
- After steeping, strain out the flowers and set the tea aside to cool.
3. Prepare the lemonade:
- In a pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice and your sweetener (honey or sugar). Stir until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
4. Mix the drink:
- Add 3 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir well.
5. Combine the two:
- Pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea into the lemonade mixture and watch the drink change color from blue to purple.
6. Serve:
- Stir to combine, then pour the drink over ice cubes. Garnish with lemon slices if desired, and serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4 servings
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for steeping)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Variations
- Fizzy version: For a sparkling twist, use sparkling water instead of still water for a fizzy Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade.
- Herbal touch: Add mint leaves or a splash of lavender syrup to infuse extra flavor.
- Vegan option: Use agave syrup or maple syrup as a vegan alternative to honey.
- Sweetness level: Adjust the sweetness by increasing or decreasing the amount of honey or sugar based on your preference.
Storage
- Storage: Store any leftover lemonade in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s best served cold and is not recommended to be reheated.
FAQs
What is butterfly pea flower tea?
Butterfly pea flower tea is a herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the Clitoria ternatea plant, native to Southeast Asia. It has a natural blue color, and when mixed with acidic ingredients like lemon juice, it changes to a vibrant purple.
Can I use fresh butterfly pea flowers instead of dried?
Yes, if you have access to fresh butterfly pea flowers, you can use them. Just double the amount and steep them in hot water the same way you would with the dried flowers.
Can I make this drink ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade in advance and store it in the fridge. Just make sure to stir well before serving, as the colors might separate slightly.
Is this drink safe for kids?
Yes, Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade is safe for kids. It’s a fun and colorful way to get them to enjoy a healthy, antioxidant-rich drink.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
While fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. Freshly squeezed juice will give your lemonade a more vibrant and authentic taste.
Conclusion
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade is a visually stunning, refreshing, and healthy beverage perfect for any occasion. The combination of floral, citrusy flavors and the magical color change makes it a showstopper at parties, gatherings, or as a fun treat for yourself. Easy to make, customizable to your taste, and a real conversation starter, this lemonade is a must-try this summer!
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade is a stunning, color-changing drink made from butterfly pea flowers and fresh lemon juice, offering a refreshing and antioxidant-rich beverage with a magical transformation.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon dried butterfly pea flowers
1 cup hot water
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
¼ cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
3 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heatproof container and pour 1 cup of hot water over them. Let the flowers steep for 10 minutes, until the water turns a deep blue.
- Strain out the flowers and set the tea aside to cool.
- In a pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice and your choice of sweetener (honey or sugar). Stir until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
- Add 3 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir well.
- Pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea into the lemonade mixture and watch the drink change color from blue to purple.
- Stir to combine, then pour the drink over ice cubes. Garnish with lemon slices if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
For a fizzy version, use sparkling water instead of still water.
Add mint leaves or a splash of lavender syrup for an extra herbal touch.
Use agave syrup or maple syrup as a vegan alternative to honey.
Adjust sweetness to your preference by increasing or decreasing honey or sugar.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for steeping)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Steeping, Mixing
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
