Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail

Name: Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktails
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4-6 dried butterfly pea flowers; 2 cups hot water; 2 shots vodka, gin or tequila; 1/4 cup lemon or lime juice; 1/4 cup simple syrup or sugar; Optional: lemon or lime wedges & fresh lavender

by Salima Benkhalti on Jun 15, 2020 (updated Jan 8, 2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe· 5 from 1 review

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

a butterfly pea flower cocktail in a glass

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.

bowls of liquor, simple syrup, water, and more

Ingredients

Here’s everything you will need:

4-6 dried butterfly pea flowers
2 cups hot water
2 shots vodka, gin or tequila
1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup simple syrup or sugar
Optional: lemon or lime wedges & fresh lavender

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Step by Step Instructions

a glass of butterfly pea flowers with water

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.

In your glasses, add citrus wedges and lavender and muddle (if using) with the back of a wooden spoon. Add ice, a shot of liquor to each glass as well as citrus juice, simple syrup and mix.

butterfly pea flower tea pouring into a glass

Pour in the butterfly pea flower water and watch the magic happen!

The acidity from the lemon will turn the blue water purple. Enjoy!

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!

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!

Always remember to drink responsibly!