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Bring some magic to your summer sipping with color changing lemonade, a refreshing drink that’s as fun to look at as it is to drink. Made with butterfly pea flower and fresh lemon juice, this beautiful beverage changes from deep blue to vibrant purple right before your eyes. It’s simple to make, naturally colored and totally wow-worthy for guests. Kids and adults alike will love this colorful twist on classic lemonade. Serve it at parties or whip some up to brighten your day.
Color changing lemonade uses butterfly pea flower and lemon juice for a vibrant drink that shifts from blue to purple. It’s eye-catching, fresh and fun.
Also try sweet tea raspberry popsicles, chocolate dipped strawberry popsicles, watermelon boba popsicles or this state fair style lemonade.
Why You’ll Love It
Fun and interactive: Watch the color change as you pour.
Naturally beautiful: No artificial coloring needed.
Refreshing and light: Perfect for warm weather or a party drink.
Easy to prepare: Just a few ingredients and simple steps.
Kid approved: It’s a hit with children and adults alike.
Color Changing Lemonade Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Butterfly pea flower powder: Creates the vibrant blue base that changes color with acidity (get the powder here or butterfly pea flower tea bags here!)
Lemon juice: Adds tartness and triggers the color shift.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the lemonade to balance the tart flavor.
Water: Used for both infusing and sweetening the drink.
Crushed ice: Chills the drink and gives it a layered look.
Lemon twist: An optional garnish for extra flair.
How to Make Color Changing Lemonade
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the infused water: Boil water, add butterfly pea flower powder and let cool.
Sweeten the lemon juice: Stir lemon juice, water and sugar until dissolved.
Layer the drink: Pour sweetened lemon juice over ice, then top with butterfly pea water.
Add more ice: Fill to the top and garnish with lemon if liked. Voila! You’ve made your very own wizardry concoction!
Substitutions and Variations
Use honey or agave: Swap sugar for natural sweeteners.
Make it fizzy: Use sparkling water instead of still.
Add fruit: Include berries or mint for extra flavor.
Boozy version: Include a splash of vodka, white rum, gin, or tequila for an adults-only color changing cocktail!
Serve in clear cups: To show off the color change better.
Serving Suggestions
With something sweet: Enjoy some bomboloni (Italian donuts) or beaver tails with your color change lemonade.
As a party drink: This is a fun drink to serve with funfetti birthday cheesecake. If you want to whip up savory party snacks too, try chunky guacamole with chips, air fryer pizza dogs or bacon cheeseburger sliders.
How to Store Color Change Lemonade
Store: The butterfly pea flower-infused water can be made ahead of time, stored in an airtight container, and refrigerated to up to 5 days. Be sure to shake or stir before serving. Refrigerate sweetened lemon juice for up to 2 days. If you want to layer your lemonade, as pictured, keep the lemon juice and butterfly pea flower-infused water separate until serving. You can keep leftover color changing lemonade in the fridge for a couple of days.
Freeze: I haven’t tried freezing this but it might make pretty popsicles!
Top Tips
Let the pea water cool: Hot liquid will melt the ice too fast.
Use clear glass: The effect looks best when you can see it.
Stir gently if needed: To blend the layers while still showing the transition.
Make extra: Everyone will want to see and try it themselves.
Color Changing Lemonade FAQs
Butterfly pea powder is made from the dried and powdered flowers of the butterfly pea plant. Its flowers have been used in Asia for centuries to create natural pigments as well as herbal teas. Did you know that butterfly pea tea was a medicinal tea in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka? Schools often use it also for science experiments to enlighten children. It’s the citric acid in the lemonade that triggers the fun color change!
Raw and coconut sugars are great substitutes for granulated sugars but note that coarser granules will take longer to dissolve. Honey is also a good substitute. You can do a 1:1 substitution with any of these options.
Colour Changing Lemonade Recipe
Color Changing Lemonade
Ingredients
For the Butterfly Pea Flower-Infused Water
- 1 ½ Cups water
- 1 Teaspoon butterfly pea flower powder
For the Sweetened Lemon Juice
- ¼ Cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed, juice from about 1 lemon
- 1 ½ Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons water
For the Color-Changing Lemonade
- lemon juice, sweetened
- ice, crushed
- 6 Tablespoons butterfly pea flower-infused water
To Garnish
- lemon twist or lemon wheel
Instructions
Make the Butterfly Pea Flower-Infused Water
- In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and add butterfly pea flower powder. Whisk until dissolved
- Transfer into heatproof container. Allow to come to room temperature (about an hour) before using or refrigerating.
Make the Sweetened Lemon Juice
- While the butterfly pea flower-infused water is cooling, add lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of water, and sugar (or sweetener of choice) to a mixing glass.
- Stir and place in refrigerator until butterfly pea flower-infused water has reached room temperature.
Make the Color-Changing Lemonade
- Remove sweetened lemon juice from refrigerator and re-stir to make sure the sugar has completely dissolved. Pour sweetened lemon juice into a highball glass. Fill glass about ¾ of the way with crushed ice.
- Shake or stir butterfly pea flower-infused water as separation can occur over time. Over the ice, add 3 tablespoons (1 ½ ounce) of butterfly pea flower-infused water.
- Fill the remainder of the glass with ice, topping it off with another 3 tablespoons of butterfly pea flower-infused water.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or lemon wheel, if liked, and serve right away.
Notes
Use clear glass: The effect looks best when you can see it.
Stir gently if needed: To blend the layers while still showing the transition.
Make extra: Everyone will want to see and try it themselves.
Nutrition
Color changing lemonade is more than just a pretty drink. It’s a fun and refreshing way to wow guests or treat yourself on a warm day. The simple combination of butterfly pea flower and lemon juice creates a vibrant visual effect without any artificial colors. Serve it in clear glasses to show off the magic and enjoy the crisp, citrusy taste. From casual cookouts to birthday parties, this eye-catching drink always adds something special.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I did this with my toddler and it was so fun! Like a little science experience but tasty 😉
I’d never heard of this powder but it’s such a fun magical element and makes a wonderful summertime drink!
This limonade was refreshing and so beautiful with all the colors. I never used butterfly pea flower powder but it looks fancy. When guests are coming will be a nice drink to give.