Butterfly Pea Lemonade (Magic Purple Lemonade)

❤️Why you will love this recipe

• This butterfly pea lemonade is only requires 4 fairly simple ingredients - butterfly pea flowers, sugar, lemon juice and water.
• Making it is also easy, and the as same as making regular lemonade. You start with a butterfly pea simple syrup which is then added lemon juice and water.
• It is way better than store-bought lemonade and its high sugar content. You get to control the sugar content in your drink and use less sugar if you like.
• This is a very pretty drink, and perfect for parties.
• It is a very refreshing too, and makes a perfect drink for hot summer days.

❓What is butterfly pea flower?

• Butterfly pea plant (Clitoria Ternatea) native to Southeast Asia. It produces beautiful blue flowers known as butterfly pea flowers or blue pea flowers and are widely used as natural color in cooking in the region.
• Butterfly pea flowers can be used in fresh flowers or dried flowers form and also in powder form (sometimes referred to as blue matcha). While fresh flowers may not be widely available, the dried and powder versions can be purchased in any Asian market or grocery store as well as online stores.
• In addition to its natural deep blue color, the health benefits of butterfly pea flowers is also one of the main reasons for their consumption. It is said to have positive impact as a brain booster or memory enhancer, rich in anti oxidants and widely used in ayurvedic medicine.
• When steeped in hot water or boiling water, the flowers release a deep blue color extract and this butterfly pea tea is often consumed as a herbal tea. You can also make lattes like this blue matcha latte and milk teas with boba pearls like this butterfly pea milk tea with the flowers.
• An interesting feature of the butterfly pea extract is its reaction to acidic pH levels. When mixed with lemon juice or lime juice, its color changes magically to a pretty purple tone (due to the acidic pH level of lemons and limes) which is what this butterfly pea lemonade is all about.

📋Ingredients

• Butterfly pea flowers - both fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers will work for this recipe.
• Lemon juice - use fresh lemon juice from fresh lemons and strain the juice to remove any seeds before making the lemonade.
• Sugar - use white sugar. Since butterfly pea flowers are sensitive to acidic pH levels, it is best to use white sugar to maintain the pretty purple hue of the drink. Both granulated sugar and coarse sugar will work for this recipe.
• Water - used in 2 parts. The first part is to make the sugar syrup and the second part to mix the lemonade. For best results, use cold water (chilled drink water) for the second part.
• Lemon slices - cut into half, these are optional, as garnish.
• Ice cubes (optional)

🧾Substitution and variations

• Soda water, club soda or sparkling water can be used to substitute the cold water (the second part) to make a fizzy lemonade.

Preparing the butterfly pea syrup

1. Measure the first part of water into a small saucepan. Turn on the heat to medium flame and bring the water to a boil.
2. Once boiled, add the butterfly pea flowers. Turn off the heat.
3. Cover the pot with a lid and let the flowers steep in the hot water for 3 minutes.
4. Strain the butterfly pea tea to remove the flowers. Press the flowers to remove as much extract as possible and discard.
5. Return the concentrated tea back to the stove. Add sugar and turn on the heat to low.
6. Stir to dissolve the sugar. As soon as dissolved, turn of the heat.

Making the butterfly pea lemonade

1. Add the butterfly pea syrup into a glass pitcher.
2. Top it with the second part of the water (chilled water).
3. Add in the lemon juice. You will see the blue color change to purple like magic with the addition of lemon juice. Stir the lemonade mixture well.
4. To serve add ice cubes to serving glasses. Pour the lemonade, garnish with lemon slices and enjoy!

🍽️Serving & storage

• This butterfly pea flower tea with lemon is best consumed within 4 to 5 days. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator and do not add ice cubes to it until it is served.
• Adding ice cubes will result in the lemonade becoming diluted by the time it is served.

💡Expert tips

• Before juicing the lemons, it helps to roll them on your kitchen counter with your palms by applying some pressure. This will soften the skin and loosen the pulp inside the fruit, making it easier to juice the fruits.
• You can also juice the lemons and in advance and freeze the juice. For easy use, you can pre-measure the lemon juice and freeze in separate containers (like ice cube trays) so that all you need to do when you want to make the lemonade is pop a few lemon juice cubes into a glass, add the butterfly pea syrup and water and stir until the lemon juice cubes are dissolved.
• You can also make the butterfly pea syrup in advance and keep it refrigerated.

💭FAQs