Butterfly Pea Lemonade | Nam Anchan Manao | น้ำอัญชันมะนาว

This magic color-changing lemonade made with butterfly pea flowers is the coolest drink. Simply mix butterfly pea tea with lemon juice and watch the color change from dark blue to bright magenta!

I first learned about this drink when I was planning my daughter's 5th birthday party. She had a very specific request for a Unicorn/Mermaid/Rainbow/Sparkle-themed party. As soon as I saw this magic color-changing lemonade, I knew it was the perfect drink for the occasion. It was neat to learn later on that this butterfly pea lemonade is actually also served as a refreshing drink in Thailand, where it is known as Nam Anchan Manao (น้ำอัญชันมะนาว).

The secret to creating this color changing lemonade are butterfly pea flowers. These flowers are native to Thailand, where they're used to make a refreshing Butterfly Pea Tea, to turn jasmine rice into Blue Rice, and to impart their beautiful blue hue into various desserts. Read on to learn more about these unique flowers and how they're used to make this magical Butterfly Pea Lemonade.

Butterfly Pea Flowers

Butterfly pea flowers come from the Clitoria ternatea plant. This plant is also commonly known as the butterfly pea, blue pea, or Asian pigeonwings plant. In Thai, it is known as Anchan (อัญชัน). This plant is native to Southeast Asia, where it grows as a vine with pea-like flowers. The flowers are approximately 2 inches wide and can be found in a variety of colors, from white to vibrant blue. The blue flowers are brightly colored because they have a high concentration of pigments known as anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are sensitive to changes in pH, meaning the color of the flower extract will change depending on the pH of the solution it's in. In a neutral solution, the flower extract appears a stunning dark blue. When the solution's pH is acidic, a chemical reaction causes the anthocyanin molecule to become protonated, shifting the color to a bright magenta. Conversely, in a basic solution, the anthocyanin molecules will lose protons, turning the solution green (and even yellow at high enough pH).

This Butterfly Pea Lemonade takes full advantage of this neat color changing property. As you add lemon juice to the butterfly pea tea, the color will change from a bright blue to a stunning magenta color!

Ingredients

• Butterfly Pea Flowers: Fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers can be used to make this lemonade. Fresh flowers can be hard to find outside of Southeast Asia. Dried flowers can be purchased at grocery stores catering to the Southeast Asian population, specialty tea shops, and online.
• Water: There is such a high concentration of anthocyanin pigment in butterfly pea flowers that both hot and cold water will extract its beautiful blue hue. Hot water will work much faster than cold water, though, so warm or hot water is preferred.
• Sugar: White granulated sugar works best in this recipe, as it doesn't change the color of the lemonade or the butterfly pea tea.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal to make the freshest tasting lemonade.
• Crushed Ice: Ice is necessary for serving this chilled drink. Crushed or pellet ice is especially useful in creating a two-toned layered effect.

Instructions

There are actually several different ways you can make butterfly pea lemonade. I will walk you through the instructions for two of them.

The first method is to make "Color Change Lemonade", ie, a glass of vibrant blue butterfly pea tea that will change to bright magenta with the addition of lemon juice. This method is perfect for kids' parties or lemonade stands where participants can stir the glass and watch the color change before their very own eyes.

The second method is the "Layered Effect Lemonade". In this method, we'll make a concentrated lemonade, then slowly and gently add a butterfly pea-infused water. That way, you can see a gradient of yellow-ish lemonade on the bottom, blue butterfly pea water on top, and brilliant magenta layer where the two liquids meet. This method creates a drink that's perfect for serving at dinner parties.

Method 1: Color Change Lemonade

Bring 6 cups of water to a gentle boil, then take off the heat. Add 1 cup of sugar and ¼ cup of butterfly pea flowers.

Allow to steep until the water is dark blue and the sugar is completely dissolved. Strain and then chill until the butterfly pea tea is cold.

Pour 1 cup of the butterfly pea tea in a glass filled with crushed ice.

Add 2 Tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir and watch the color change from blue to magenta. Enjoy!

The result of this method is a beautiful glass of lemonade that changes from bright blue to magenta right before your eyes. It makes for a neat experiment that's as intriguing as it is tasty!

Method 2: Layered Effect Lemonade

Bring 6 cups of water to a gentle boil, then take off the heat. Split the water into two 3 cup sections.

To one of the 3 cup sections, add 1 cup of sugar and stir until dissolved. Chill. Once cooled, add 1 cup of lemon juice to make a concentrated lemonade.

To the other 3 cup section, add 2 Tablespoons of butterfly pea flowers. Allow to steep until the water is bright blue.

Add crushed ice to fill a glass. Add ½ cup of the concentrated lemonade. Slowly and gently pour ½ cup of blue water on top to see the layered effect.

The result of this method is a delicious glass of lemonade with a cool-looking layered effect. By adding the concentrated lemonade on the bottom and butterfly pea water on top, a pretty magenta layer will form where they meet in the middle. The key to achieving this layered effect is using crushed or pellet ice and pouring slowly. And once your guests have admired their drink, be sure to remind them to stir it together before drinking!

Storage

Butterfly pea lemonade should be refrigerated to prevent microbial growth as it is made from natural plant substances. The butterfly pea containing mixtures can be stored separately from the lemon juice or lemonade. That way, they are ready to serve and observe the color changing / layered effects when you are. Both solutions will keep in the refrigerator for several days.

Serving Suggestions

I think this color changing Butterfly Pea Lemonade is the ideal drink for children's birthday parties with unicorn, mermaid, galaxy, or magic themes. It also makes a really neat lemonade stand; our children hosted one earlier this summer and it was the hit of the block! And, of course, as this Butterfly Pea Lemonade is a Thai drink, it definitely has a place at your next Thai dinner party!

Whether you choose to serve this Butterfly Pea Lemonade using the Color Changing method or the Layered Effect method, it's sure to be a hit!