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Color-Changing 'Fairy' Lemonade

A magical, interactive summer drink that uses natural butterfly pea flower tea to change color from deep blue to vibrant pink and purple right before your eyes.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 drinks
Course: Beverage, Drinks
Cuisine: American, Kids, Modern
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Magic Blue Tea
  • 2 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers or 1 tsp powder
  • 2 cups boiling water
Lemonade Base
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice about 4-6 large lemons
  • 1 cup simple syrup adjust to taste
  • 2 cups cold filtered water or sparkling water
Assembly & Garnish
  • as needed Ice cubes to fill glasses
  • optional fresh lemon wheels for garnish
  • optional edible flowers like pansies or borage
  • optional pinch edible drink glitter

Equipment

  • Heatproof pitcher
  • Citrus Juicer
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Tall highball glasses

Method
 

  1. Brew the Magic Tea: Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the dried butterfly pea flowers in a heatproof pitcher. Let steep for 5-10 minutes until deep blue. Strain out the flowers.
  2. Chill: Allow the blue tea to cool to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator until completely chilled.
  3. Make Lemonade Base: In a separate pitcher, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold filtered (or sparkling) water.
  4. Ice the Glasses: Fill 4 tall highball glasses completely to the brim with ice cubes (this helps layer the drink).
  5. Pour Lemonade: Fill each glass about two-thirds of the way full with the sweet lemonade mixture.
  6. The Magic Pour: Gently and slowly pour the chilled blue tea over the ice to top off the glass. Watch as the acid in the lemonade instantly turns the blue tea into bright pinks and purples.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a lemon wheel and an edible flower. Serve immediately with a stirrer so guests can mix the colors together.

Notes

Do not sweeten the blue tea! The sugar in the lemonade makes it heavier, which allows the unsweetened blue tea to float on top until stirred, creating the magical layered effect. Ensure both liquids are very cold before assembling.