Butterfly Pea Lemonade Color-Change (Printer view)

Watch brilliant blue lemonade turn purple with citrus. Refreshing, vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Butterfly Pea Flower Infusion

01 - 2 cups water
02 - 2 tablespoons dried butterfly pea flowers

→ Lemonade Base

03 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
05 - 2 cups cold water

→ Garnish & Ice

06 - Lemon slices, for garnish
07 - Ice cubes

# Directions:

01 - Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, add dried butterfly pea flowers, and steep for 5 minutes until the water is a deep blue. Strain flowers out and let the infusion cool completely.
02 - In a pitcher, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice with granulated sugar. Stir thoroughly until the sugar has dissolved.
03 - Add 2 cups of cold water to the lemon mixture and mix well.
04 - Fill serving glasses with ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices.
05 - Divide the cooled blue butterfly pea flower infusion evenly among the glasses.
06 - Slowly pour lemonade over the blue infusion in each glass, observing the transformation in color from blue to purple or pink.
07 - Gently stir the beverages to blend the color and flavor. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You’ll feel like a magician every time the color shifts from blue to purple before your eyes.
  • This lemonade takes center stage at parties, but is wonderfully easy to make on a lazy afternoon.
02 -
  • If you pour the lemonade in too fast, the colors muddle before the magic happens—go slow for the best reveal.
  • Strain the pea flower infusion thoroughly, or you’ll end up with little blue petals floating around, which can be distracting.
03 -
  • Avoid squeezing the flowers while straining or you’ll risk bitterness in the infusion.
  • Taste everything as you go—lemons vary, and the ideal balance is up to you.
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