Description
This Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade is a visually stunning and refreshing drink that transforms from blue to purple when mixed with lemon juice. Perfect for summer gatherings, it combines the floral notes of butterfly pea flowers with the tartness of fresh lemon juice, creating a unique and delightful beverage experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dried butterfly pea flowers
- 4 cups water (divided)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish, optional)
- Fresh lemon slices (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and add the dried butterfly pea flowers. Stir gently to ensure all flowers are submerged.
- Cover the saucepan and let the flowers steep for about 10-15 minutes. The longer you steep, the deeper the blue color will be.
- After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher to remove the flowers. Set aside to cool.
- In a separate bowl, combine the fresh lemon juice and granulated sugar. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of cold water to the lemon juice mixture and stir to combine.
- Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea flower infusion into the lemonade base. Stir gently to mix, observing the color change to a beautiful purple hue.
- Taste the lemonade and adjust sweetness by adding more sugar, a tablespoon at a time, if desired.
- For a more tart flavor, add additional lemon juice to taste.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and meld flavors.
- Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the butterfly pea flower lemonade over the ice.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices if desired.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider infusing the lemonade with fresh fruits or herbs.
- For a sparkling version, replace half of the water with sparkling water or club soda.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes