Color-Changing Witch's Potion Lemonade
Blue butterfly pea flower tea floated over blackberry lemonade, so it's purple on the bottom and blue on top. Stir it and the whole glass turns violet. A caffeine-free, kid-friendly Halloween mocktail.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 tall glass (about 12 oz)
- 1 tsp dried butterfly pea flowers about 8 to 10 flowers, or 1 butterfly pea tea bag; buy food-grade
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 4 blackberries optional, for a deep purple base, plus more for garnish
- 1 1/2 tbsp simple syrup or to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice about 1 1/2 lemons
- 1/4 cup cold water or sparkling water
- ice
- 1 lemon wheel for garnish
Steep the butterfly pea flowers in the hot water for 5 minutes, until it's deep blue. Strain and let it cool, about 15 minutes on the counter or 5 minutes in the freezer. Hot tea will melt your ice and blur the layers.
If using blackberries, muddle them with the simple syrup in the bottom of a tall glass. Otherwise just add the syrup.
Add the lemon juice and cold water and stir well so the syrup dissolves. Taste and add a little more syrup if you like it sweeter.
Fill the glass all the way to the top with ice.
Slowly pour the cooled blue tea over the back of a spoon onto the ice. The sweet lemonade stays on the bottom and the blue tea floats on top, turning purple where they meet.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a blackberry or two. Serve with a straw and stir at the table to watch it change color.
How to order one at a bar, cafe or soda shop: Lots of bubble tea shops and some cafes sell butterfly pea lemonade, sometimes called "blue lemonade" or "magic lemonade," so ask for it by name. At a bar, ask: "Do you have butterfly pea tea? Could I get it over lemonade with ice, no alcohol?" Some bars only have butterfly pea color in a purple gin, so say "no gin, please" to be safe. No butterfly pea? Ask for lemonade with a splash of blackberry or grenadine syrup and a sugared rim. Still looks like a potion.
Allergens: no dairy, nuts or gluten in the recipe as written. Check your tea label, since some butterfly pea blends include other herbs or green tea.
Caution: use food-grade dried flowers sold for tea, not craft or decorative flowers. There's limited research on butterfly pea flower, so if you're pregnant, nursing or take regular medication, check with your doctor first. It can also stain light counters and cloth, so wipe spills fast.
Kid-friendly: butterfly pea is naturally caffeine-free. For little ones under 4, skip the whole blackberries or cut them up.
Party pitcher: multiply by 6 for a pitcher of lemonade and keep the blue tea in a separate carafe. Let guests pour their own "potion" over the ice.
Make ahead: the tea keeps up to 3 days in a sealed jar in the fridge. The blue is brightest in the first day, so make it the day before for the best color. Keyword halloween mocktails