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    Home » Recipes » Drinks & Cocktails » Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail

    Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail

    Jun 15, 2020 / by Salima Benkhalti / 2 Comments(updated Mar 8, 2022)

    891 shares
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    A glass of Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail.
    A pitcher pouring blue liquid for Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktails.
    A hand placing a straw in Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktails.

    These magic color changing cocktails are made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, simply syrup and dried butterfly pea flower.

    This post contains affiliate links; this means if you purchase an item linked, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to learn more about my disclosure policy.

    A hand placing a straw in Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktails.

    It's magic! Or is it?

    The first time I saw a video about butterfly pea flowers, I remember thinking to myself: "these can't be real."

    Something about that bright vibrant shade of blue that's so difficult to find in nature just seemed unreal. Not to mention the magical color change to even brighter shades of violet and then hot pink.

    The whole concept just screams "artificial ingredients!"

    So, I spent the unnecessarily high price on Amazon, waited for my bag of dried up flowers to ship from Thailand and tested them myself.

    And I'm here to tell you, they are 100% real.

    According to Thrillist, butterfly pea flowers are one of many plants that fall into the category of a "pH indicator". Meaning, the color of the plant changes based on the pH levels present.

    This explains why the color changes from blue to purple, then pink, when any form of acidity is introduced.

    A pitcher of Butterfly Pea Flowers.
    A pitcher of Butterfly Pea Flowers.
    A pitcher of Butterfly Pea Flowers.

    Make it your own

    Now that you know the "magic" behind these little flowers, the color changing culinary world is your oyster.

    Because of their muted flavor, you can really take this ingredient in any direction you want. Butterfly pea flowers can be added to just about anything without messing with the flavor profile.

    Play around with other colorful ingredients and see what you can create!

    A pitcher of Butterfly Pea Flowers.

    More ideas for your butterfly pea flowers

    Now that you have an entire bag of butterfly pea flowers, you're probably wondering what the heck to do with them (aside from these butterfly pea flower cocktails.)

    Worry not, I've got you covered.

    Here are some of my favorite ways to add color to my food with this magic ingredient:

    • blue and purple sushi: add some of your butterfly pea flower liquid to your sushi rice to make colorful sushi rice. add a splash of rice vinegar to the mix to make things purple!
    • blue and purple eggs: if you've ever used natural dye to make colorful easter egg designs, you know what to do! add some of your blue liquid to a bowl and soak your hard boiled eggs in it overnight. add lemon juice or vinegar to the bowl to make purple or pink dye.
    • blue and purple mocktails: if you're not into alcohol or want to share the fun with kiddos, you can easily make this recipe into mocktails by skipping the vodka!
    A pitcher pouring blue liquid for Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktails.

    Happy cooking!

    Salima

    Print

    Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktails

    Butterfly pea flower lemonade.
    Print Recipe
    • Author: Salima Benkhalti
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 1-2 drinks 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Raw
    • Cuisine: American, Thai

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 4-6 dried butterfly pea flowers
    • 2 cups hot water
    • 2 shots vodka (I used potato vodka) 
    • ¼ cup lemon juice
    • ¼ cup simple syrup or sugar 
    • OPTIONAL: lemon wedges & fresh lavender 

    Instructions

    1. In a large pitcher, combine butterfly pea flowers and hot water. Allow 5-10 minutes to steep, develop a dark blue color, and cool completely.
    2. In your glasses, add lemon wedges and lavender and muddle (if using) with the back of a wooden spoon. Add vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and mix. 
    3. Pour in the butterfly pea flower water and watch the magic happen! The acidity from the lemon will turn the blue water purple. Enjoy!

    Keywords: Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktails, Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @salimaskitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #salimaskitchen

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      Comments

    1. Keleigh

      December 16, 2020 at 2:19 pm

      Do the full 2 cups of water get added? That seems a lot.

      Reply
      • Salima's Kitchen

        January 25, 2021 at 9:51 am

        Yep! If you want a more concentrated color and flavor, you could certainly add less water.

        Reply

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    891 shares