Magical color-changing lemonade to cast a summer spell on you

Not that you ever need an excuse for a refreshing sip of lemonade but if the sweltering heat cannot be the only reason, can we entice you with some magic?

Raided from the earth’s treasure trove, the butterfly pea flowers are amongst the most fascinating edible offerings. When these flowers are used to bring in some colourful swirls in the traditional lemonade, the result is a spell-binding drink that is sure to excite anyone who tries it.

Ingredients

• ½ cup dried butterfly pea flowers

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 cup of sugar

• 5 cups of water

• Crushed ice

Directions

• Make a vibrant blue syrup of the dried butterfly pea flowers by combining them in a saucepan with 3 cups of water and sugar.

• Once the mixture comes to a simmer, let it steep for about 10 minutes before sieving it and setting it aside for cooling.

• In a glass, pour some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

• To the glass, add some of the dried butterfly pea syrup up to halfway.

• Finally, add some crushed ice followed by water to the glass.

• Stir before drinking.

The “magic” of this lemonade is rooted in science, transforming a traditional drink into something that is so vibrantly fun! The sapphire in the flower transforms into a bright magenta with the addition of lemon juice.

The flavours of the butterfly pea flower are subtle, earthly, and woody however, the dominant tang of lemon juice negates it in our drink. We add the sapphire flowers mostly for the colour. Regardless, non-artificial colouring also comes with some health benefits. The butterfly pea flower that is rich in antioxidants is said to improve blood circulation and the health of your hair, skin, as well as eyes – prompting its popularity.