Homemade Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
Have you ever had a color changing lemonade? This Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade is refreshing, naturally vibrant, and just plain fun to make! It’s one of those herbal recipes that feels like a science experiment and a party drink rolled into one 🙂
As soon as I learned about butterfly pea flower and all the benefits and fun we can have with it, I ordered it right away. We made this drink with my kids and they LOVED the science experiment AND the taste!
It’s caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants, making it a beautiful, beginner-friendly way to start playing with edible herbs like butterfly pea flower.
Here is how to make a homemade butterfly pea flower lemonade for yourself!
Why Butterfly Pea Flower?
Butterfly pea flowers come from Clitoria ternatea, a tropical plant known for its vibrant blue blooms. In herbal traditions, it’s used for:
- Antioxidant support
- Eye and brain health
- Natural calming effects
But one of the most exciting parts? It’s pH sensitive. That means when you add something acidic (like lemon), the deep blue tea turns bright purple or even pink sometimes! No food dye, no chemicals, just plants doing their thing.
It is basically like a “homemade blue Gatorade” all without the artificial dyes and sugar!
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Homemade Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade Recipe
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon dried butterfly pea flowers
- 1 cup store-bought or homemade lemonade
- 1 cup boiling water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
In a heatproof cup or jar, pour 1 cup of boiling water over the butterfly pea flowers or tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes until the water turns a rich, royal blue. Strain or remove the tea bags and let cool.
Add ice cubes to two glasses. Pour ½ cup of lemonade into each one.
Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea tea over the lemonade. Watch the color change from blue to purple right before your eyes!
Add a lemon slice to each glass if you’d like. Give it a gentle stir and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Carbs: 31g
- Sugars: 28g
- Fat, Protein, Sodium: Trace or 0g
Depending on the lemonade you use!
Notes:
- Want to make your own lemonade? Mix fresh lemon juice, water, and honey or maple syrup to taste.
- The stronger your butterfly pea tea, the bolder the color change. You can steep a bit longer for extra intensity.
- This drink makes a gorgeous addition to summer parties, herbal tea times, or homeschool science lessons!
- I prefer to use the flowers instead of butterfly pea flower powder.
How We Use It
My kids love this one as a “potion drink,” and honestly, so do I! It’s my go-to when I want something refreshing but herbal. It also makes a fun herbalist gift, just bottle the tea concentrate and pair it with a jar of homemade lemonade 🙂
When my kids ask for a “fun drink” AKA store bought sports drinks, I usually will make this up or a hibiscus tea. Since they are bright colors, kids will want to drink them more!
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
A vibrant, color-changing lemonade made with butterfly pea flower tea and classic lemonade. Refreshing, lightly sweet, and visually stunning with every stir.
Materials
- 1 cup store-bought lemonade
- 1 teaspoon dried butterfly pea flowers (or 2 butterfly pea flower tea bags)
- 1 cup hot boiling water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Tools
- Heatproof container or mug
- Kettle or saucepan (to boil water)
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Spoon
- Strainer (if using loose flowers)
- 2 drinking glasses
Instructions
- In a heatproof container, pour 1 cup of boiling water over the butterfly pea flowers (or tea bags). Let it steep for 5 minutes until the water turns a rich blue color. Remove the flowers or tea bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
- Assemble the Drink Fill two glasses with ice cubes. Pour 1/2 cup of store-bought lemonade into each glass.
- Add Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Slowly pour the cooled butterfly pea flower tea over the lemonade in each glass. Enjoy the beautiful color change as the blue tea mixes with the lemonade!
- Garnish and Serve Garnish with lemon slices, if desired. Stir gently and serve.
Final Thoughts
Herbalism doesn’t always have to be serious or medicinal. Sometimes it’s just about using your senses, color, scent, and the quiet magic of watching nature show off!
This homemade butterfly pea flower lemonade is a reminder that herbs can be fun too 🙂
