83% would make this again

Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade

Q: Why does butterfly pea change colour when you add lemon juice?

Butterfly pea lemonade changes colour because the natural pigments in the butterfly pea flowers react to acidity. When lemon juice is added, the pH of the blue tea shifts and the drink turns from blue to a vivid purple or pink shade. This magic-looking effect is one of the reasons people love making it at home.

Q: How do you make butterfly pea lemonade taste good?

To make it taste great start with fresh lemon juice and add a natural sweetener like sugar, honey or agave to balance the tartness. Most people find the blue tea itself is mild or slightly earthy so the citrus and sweetener are what bring out the best flavour. Adding herbs like mint or a splash of sparkling water can make it even more refreshing. We personally love to use honey whenever we make a jug of this drink.

Q: Can you drink butterfly pea lemonade every day?

Yes you can drink butterfly pea lemonade regularly as long as you enjoy the flavour and it fits your usual diet. It’s caffeine free and naturally coloured and many people like it as a refreshing alternative to sugary sodas. Just adjust the sweetener to your taste so it doesn’t become too sugary over time. Think about using natural honey instead of sugar to help keep it more on the healthier side.

Q: What does butterfly pea lemonade taste like?

Butterfly pea lemonade tastes like a mild herbal drink with bright citrus notes. The butterfly pea tea on its own is very gentle in flavour and once mixed with lemon and a bit of sweetener it ends up tasting similar to classic lemonade but with a softer, floral quality.

Q: Do you have to use dried butterfly pea flowers, or can you use powder?

You can use either dried butterfly pea flowers steeped like tea or butterfly pea powder stirred into water. Powder is convenient because it dissolves quickly and still gives a strong blue colour while dried flowers need to be steeped but can give a slightly cleaner liquid. Both work fine for lemonade.

Q: Can you make butterfly pea flower lemonade fizzy?

To make it fizzy just replace part or all of the cold water with sparkling water or soda water after the tea and citrus are mixed. It makes the drink more refreshing and adds a fun twist for parties or warm days.

Vish G

April 26, 2026

If your craving something fresh without much work, this butterfly pea flower lemonade is a trendy summer drink recipe that’s been getting some attention. With it’s beautiful blue and purple colours, each sip tastes refreshing with a perfect amount of sweetness giving you an aesthetic looking drink that your friends will enjoy.

PREP TIME

10 MIN

COOK TIME

5 MIN

SERVINGS

Ingredients

4 cups water (960 ml)
2 teaspoons dried butterfly pea flowers or 1 teaspoon butterfly pea powder
1 cup fresh lemon juice (240 ml) about 4 to 6 lemons
1 half to 3 quarters cup sugar (100 to 150 g) or honey to taste
1 cup cold water or sparkling water (240 ml)
Ice cubes as needed
Optional: fresh mint leaves for serving

Instructions

Bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil, remove from heat, add the butterfly pea flowers or powder and let it steep for 5 minutes until deep blue.
Strain out the flowers if using them and let the blue tea cool completely to avoid dull colour or bitter taste.
Stir the sugar or honey into the warm tea until fully dissolved, then chill in the fridge if needed.
For the blue version, pour the blue tea over ice and dilute with cold water or sparkling water to taste.
For the purple version, add fresh lemon juice slowly to the blue tea and watch it turn purple, then adjust sweetness if needed.
Serve over ice, garnish with mint if using and taste once more before serving to balance sweet and tart.