This Dreamy 3-Part Butterfly Pea Flower Gin Sour cocktail is one part chemistry, two parts alchemy, and equal parts sunshine in liquid form. It’s as delightful to sip as it is to watch the color change that takes place when the three main ingredients are blended together.
Every so often I post a libations recipe. Sometimes I struggle to make up a recipe, and other times I fall into one almost immediately. This is one of those latter times. I started playing around with Butterfly Pea Flower tea a couple years back. I had hoped to develop a beautiful, blue marshmallow, but to boil the tea and sugar to the proper temperature for making marshmallows left the tea tasting burnt and unpleasantly grassy.
So, I abandoned all efforts to make anything with this pretty blue tea until Mother’s Day 2024.
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Chasing Spring Vibes with this Dreamy 3-Part Butterfly Pea Flower Gin Sour Cocktail
In our family, we often make a signature beverage for a holiday gathering. I wanted something warm and vibrant like spring, but also something that could easily translate to an alcohol-free option. I made a simple syrup with the tea and allowed it to steep while it cooled. Success! The flavor was exactly what I wanted. It was clean, floral, and a little grassy. The color was a deep, violet blue. Once cooled, I removed the tea bags and transferred the syrup to the refrigerator to chill for two hours.
I was leaning toward a classic cocktail like a gin sour. While I was waiting, I tested a few gins to find which would pair best with the syrup in this butterfly pea flower gin sour recipe. In full disclosure, gin is not my favorite spirit. I’ve never been a huge fan of the taste, but we have developed a working relationship over the years. In fact, a bottom shelf gin and tonic has been my standard drink at a party for years. Let me explain…
I’ve never been a big drinker. At at time in history when it wasn’t as socially acceptable to abstain, a poor quality gin and tonic was a guaranteed way for me to have something in my hand without having to drink it. If someone asked me if I needed anything, I could raise a full glass, say I was good, and get no push back. I could nurse one drink for an entire night and there were many times I did.
However, my tastes have changed over the years and I found that I really liked how Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin played with the pea flower simple syrup in this recipe. It’s a very light, floral gin, which is probably why I like it.
If you can’t find it at a liquor store near you, you can still make this cocktail. Just remember that if you pair another gin or a zero alcohol gin substitute with it, the flavor of this drink will be a different. The proof is in the testing so find one that is as close to Hendrick’s as possible. If you’re uncertain, I recommend consulting a trusted, knowledgeable expert at a local wine and spirits shop in your area.
Alternatively, you can substitute Prosecco or a non-alcoholic sparkling version, as well. It’s a little different, a little sweeter from the grapes, but still lovely. Sparkling water is another a nice alternative.
The Science Behind Butterfly Pea Flower’s Color Change From Blue to Lavender
I love kitchen chemistry. When an acid like lemon juice is combined with butterfly pea flower tea, an enchanting chemical reaction occurs. Butterfly pea flower contains anthocyanins – the blue, purple, or red pigment found in plants, fruits, and vegetables. In the tea’s neutral or alkaline state, they appear as a lovely, deep blue. However, when you introduce an acid – like the lemon juice in this cocktail – the pH of the beverage lowers (becomes more acidic) and the color changes from blue to a vibrant violet purple. This magical change is almost instantaneous.
The addition of the lemon juice is not just a chemical parlor trick. The drink is a little flat without the added brightness that a small amount of fresh lemon juice brings, so don’t be tempted to leave it out. If you ask me if you can use bottled lemon juice, the short answer is yes. However, while testing both in development, I found that fresh tastes better hands down. I recommend using fresh lemon juice if you can.
Where to Find Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
If you are fortunate enough to live near a specialty tea shop, you may be able to find Butterfly Pea Flower Tea there. I’ve never seen it in a major grocery store in my area; however, you can order it online through Amazon or another online retailer. I’m partial to the Blue Tea brand pictured above.
Scale Up or Down as Needed
I like recipes that are easily scalable – especially cocktail recipes. The nice thing about this simple butterfly pea flower cocktail is that you can make it for one, two, or a larger group. For one drink, combine 1 1/2 ounces of gin or NA substitute, 1 ounce of simple syrup, and 1/3 ounce of fresh lemon juice.
This recipe yields 2 cups of syrup (16 ounces) – enough to make 16 of these lovely gin sours – perfect for a large group. To use the full batch of syrup, you will need 24 ounces of Gin, the full 16 ounces of syrup, and 5.3 ounces of lemon juice.
As with any substitutions – whether using an NA alternative, Prosecco, or sparkling water – I recommend testing a single serving first and adjusting the recipe to taste. Once you have the ratios where you like them, you can safely double or expand the recipe further as desired.
The syrup will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two months.
Grab a Coup Glass and Let’s Get Social!
That’s really all there is to this recipe – a few simple ingredients combined. You decide if you want to make it NA or keep the gin.
Thank you for visiting MOstly Bakes! If you’ve enjoyed this Dreamy 3-Part Butterfly Pea Flower Gin Sour Cocktail recipe, you might like this pink squirrel cocktail recipe, as well. It’s another classic cocktail with a MOstly Bakes twist. If you’re looking for other food and beverage recipes, I’d like to invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media via Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Thank you again, for visiting, and I look forward to connecting with you there!
Blessings & enjoy!
Dreamy 3-Part Butterfly Pea Flower Gin Sour
Course: LibationsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
serving10
minutes5
minutes3
hoursThis Dreamy 3-Part Butterfly Pea Flower Gin Sour cocktail is one part chemistry, two parts alchemy, and equal parts sunshine in liquid form. Butterfly Pea Flower Simple Syrup, Gin, and lemon juice are all that’s needed to make this lovely drink.
Ingredients
- For the Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Simple Syrup
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 Butterfly Pea Flower tea bags
- To Make the Cocktail/Mocktail
1 1/2 ounces Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin
1 ounce butterfly pea flower tea simple syrup
1/3 ounce fresh lemon juice
Twist of lemon zest to garnish (optional)
Directions
- Make the Simple Syrup
- Combine the water, sugar, and tea bags in a small sauce pan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved – approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely at room temperature – approximately 1 hour.
- Once cooled, remove the tea bags and discard. Transfer the simple syrup to a jar and place in the refrigerator to cool for approximately 2 hours.
- Make the Cocktail
- Fill a tall glass or cocktail shaker with approximately 1 cup of ice
- Add 1 1/2 ounces gin or alcohol-free substitute to the glass.
- Add 1 ounce of simple syrup to the glass.
- Add 1/3 ounce of fresh lemon juice to the glass.
- Combine thoroughly. If using a shaker, shake for 20 – 25 seconds.
- Pour the beverage through a strainer to remove the ice and any bits of lemon pulp.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon peel and serve well chilled.
