Light, refreshing and almost too pretty to drink, this Butterfly Pea Lemon Spritz is an easy alcohol-free mocktail with a little colour-changing magic.
The fun begins with the naturally vibrant blue of Butterfly Pea Powder. Add fresh lemon and watch the colour transform before your eyes, moving through beautiful shades of violet and purple.
And the best part? There’s no single perfect shade. Experiment with the colour and make each glass your own.
What Makes Butterfly Pea Change Colour?
Butterfly pea gets its striking blue colour from naturally occurring plant pigments called anthocyanins.
These pigments respond to changes in pH. When an acidic ingredient such as lemon juice is added, the brilliant blue begins to shift towards violet and purple.
It makes this mocktail just as much fun to create as it is to drink.
Butterfly Pea Lemon Spritz
Makes 2
Ingredients
- Just Blends Butterfly Pea Powder — to create your perfect shade
- 60 ml warm water
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 20–30 ml simple syrup or maple syrup, to taste
- 200 ml chilled sparkling water
- Ice
- Edible flowers, to garnish (optional)
Method
1. Create your colour.
Whisk a small amount of Butterfly Pea Powder into the warm water. Gradually add a little more until you've created a vibrant blue you're happy with.
2. Now for the magic.
Add the fresh lemon juice and watch as the blue transforms into beautiful shades of violet and purple.
3. Add a little sweetness.
Stir through the simple syrup or maple syrup, adjusting to taste.
4. Chill.
Pour the mixture into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake briefly until chilled.
5. Pour.
Strain into two chilled coupe glasses.
6. Add some sparkle.
Top gently with chilled sparkling water and garnish with edible flowers.
Make It Your Shade
There’s no single perfect purple.
Try starting with a softer blue or creating something more vibrant before adding your lemon. As the acidity changes, so will the final colour — from delicate periwinkle and lavender through to richer violet tones.
That's part of the experience.
Make It Creamy
Prefer a creamier twist? Swap a little of the sparkling water for a splash of chilled coconut milk beverage. Add it slowly to create beautiful cloudy swirls and softer lavender tones.
Tip: Use a light, carton-style coconut milk beverage rather than canned coconut milk, and add just a small amount as the lemon can cause some plant milks to separate.
Make the Colour Change Part of the Moment
If you're serving these for friends, don't add the lemon beforehand.
Prepare the blue Butterfly Pea mixture and let everyone add their own lemon and watch their drink change colour at the table.
It turns a simple sparkling mocktail into a beautiful little experience — and makes for a great photo or video too.
What Does a Butterfly Pea Lemon Spritz Taste Like?
Butterfly Pea Powder has a subtle flavour, so the fresh lemon takes centre stage in this drink.
Sparkling water keeps it light and refreshing, while simple syrup or maple syrup balances the tartness. Adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.
Serve it ice cold as an afternoon refresher, an alcohol-free option for entertaining, or whenever you feel like making something a little more special.
Discover Butterfly Pea Powder
Our Just Blends Butterfly Pea Powder makes it easy to add naturally vibrant colour to drinks, smoothies, lattes, baking and more.
A little goes a long way — and when you introduce citrus, experimenting with the changing colours is half the fun.
