Admittedly, I purchased some butterfly pea tea to make some blue noodles which turned out to be a huge flop. Yes, even I have kitchen failures! But now I’m grateful, because that failure made me have the ingredients for this amazing color changing lemonade instead!
Color changing lemonade, sometimes known as galaxy lemonade, is typical lemonade paired with butterfly pea flower tea. A chemical reaction from the tea in the presence of the acidic lemons causes it to turn from a deep blue color to a bright pink or fuschia color.
Of course, there are a lot of different ways to go about creating the mashup! You can also get really fancy with the addition of edible glitter into the mix to create a drink that sparkles like the cosmos.
Galaxy lemonade is stunning, with an aesthetic that’s exciting for adults, but mesmerizing for the kids as well. That’s right, since the reaction doesn’t require alcohol, it’s a family friendly drink!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this exciting color changing lemonade because of the impressive and delicious reward you get for very little effort! Only a couple ingredients are required to create something that truly appears magical!
Since the base of this drink is lemonade, you can expect it to be tart and refreshing; perfect for hot summer days. I think it’s best served before a night of stargazing when the weather is warm!
There are a few different ways to make this galaxy lemonade (and don’t worry, I’ll show you how to make an adult version too). But no matter how you make it, it’s a relatively simple process. Consider it an educational but delicious science experiment if you will!
You can make your own homemade lemonade if you prefer, but you’ll need to use real lemons instead of a powdered mix. I just do equal parts sugar, water, and lemon juice for that (but buying pre-made saves time). You can use natural sweetener like honey as well
While there are many ways to make color changing lemonade, I think using an ice cube tray to make frozen tea cubes is best. You may want a blender or a mallet to break the cubes up. All of this equipment is optional, though, and I’ll give you workarounds later if you don’t have them
Variations of Galaxy Lemonade
For Adults. Add 2 oz per serving of gin, white rum, or vodka to your drink. If you use Empress gin, which is naturally infused with pea flowers, you can use regular ice and layer it on top
Glittering. Add ¼ tsp per drink of edible glitter to create a sparkling effect. You can also add star-shaped candies, cosmic sprinkles, or similar edible decor into the glass
Floral. Top the drink with edible flowers. Pansies or violets are a nice choice as they naturally sport coordinating colors
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Color Changing Galaxy Lemonade
Boil the water on the stove or in the microwave and add the butterfly pea flower tea bags to it. Steep for about 30 minutes, until the water is deep blue
Discard the tea bags (or strain out the loose tea) and then pour the tea water into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid (6-8 hours). If you don’t have an ice cube tray, transfer the tea to a container and chill in the refrigerator
(Optional) If you’d like the color change to happen faster, crush some of the ice into varying chunk sizes using a mallet or blender. You want it to be somewhat coarse
Fill some glasses or a pitcher half full with regular ice. Top with the pea flower ice
Pour in the lemonade. If you don’t have ice cubed tea, gently pour the cooled liquid in on top of the lemonade in an ice-filled glass
Give it a gentle stir with a spoon or straw to accelerate the color changing effect
Top with additional crushed pea flower ice and a slice of lemon as garnish if desired
What to Serve With Galaxy Lemonade
Salted nuts
Pretzels
Cheese and crackers
Hamburgers
Hot dogs
Bratwurst
Fish and chips
Chicken skewers
Sliders
Summer salads
Citrus desserts
Cosmic brownies
There are lots of great things to serve with galaxy lemonade, from snacks to main dishes, and even dessert! I love adding some color coordinating blueberries to a summer salad for the perfect pairing.
What Ingredients Are Commonly Used to Create Color Changing Effects?
Ingredients commonly used to create color-changing effects include butterfly pea flower tea, hibiscus tea, red cabbage, and even citrus fruits like lemon or lime.
These natural ingredients can be used to create varying shades of blue, purple, pink, and even green when combined with different pH levels.
Can I Use Natural Food Coloring for the Galaxy Effect?
Yes, you can use natural food coloring for the galaxy effect. Actually, lemonade and pea flower tea are both natural ingredients to begin with.
You can also add ingredients like beet juice, turmeric, or spirulina to create different vibrant colors without the need for artificial additives.
How Do I Achieve Distinct Layers in the Lemonade?
To achieve distinct layers in the lemonade, make sure to use plain ice at the bottom of the glass, and layer the blue pea flower ice on the top. When you add the lemonade, you’ll be left with a gradient of colors.
Alternatively, you can fill a glass with ice and lemonade, and then pour liquid pea flower tea over the back of a spoon over the top to add a layer, which will slowly mix in.
Are There Specific Fruits That Work Best For Color Changing Drinks?
Yes, certain fruits can contribute to the color changing effect due to their natural pigments. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries can add vibrant hues to your lemonade.
Additionally, citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange can affect the pH of the beverage, leading to color shifts.
Can I Make Color Changing Galaxy Lemonade Without Artificial Colors?
Absolutely, you can make color-changing galaxy lemonade without artificial colors. In fact, you need just natural pea flower tea and lemonade.
As long as you purchase lemonade without artificial colors added or make your own homemade version with fresh lemons, there is no artificial coloring at all.
How Do I Prevent the Colors From Mixing Together Too Quickly?
Use a layer of regular ice underneath the colored ice to prevent the colors mixing together too quickly. Also make sure to start with cold ingredients so the ice doesn’t dissolve as quickly.
Avoid stirring the mixture as well, as this promotes distribution of the colors throughout the drink.
How Does the Lemonade Change Color?
The lemonade changes color due to a chemical reaction between the acidic lemonade and the butterfly pea flower tea.
This is a natural reaction which causes a color change from blue to pinkish purple.
Recipe Pro Tips
Serve in clear glasses for the best visual impact! This galaxy lemonade can be served in short or tall glasses, or even presented in a pitcher or carafe depending how many you’re serving
The ice cubes will turn your fingers blue if you hold onto them for too long. They don’t stain as badly as blueberries, but I’d still avoid hanging onto them unless you want to look like a smurf!
Storage Tips
You can prepare the ice cubes up to 1 week in advance, and if you’re making homemade lemonade, up to 3 days in advance. Once you combine them, though, the colors will eventually bleed together and you’ll lose the color changing effect. Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; just don’t expect it to look as exciting
This amazing color changing lemonade is easy to make but so much fun! Plus, it’s delicious as well, so how can you go wrong?
It’s the perfect refreshing drink for summer, and it will be a hit with kids and adults alike with its mesmerizing colors. If you’re serving adults only, feel free to spike it with some gin or vodka as well!
Galaxy lemonade looks stunning by the pitcher or the glass, and it’s perfect for pool parties, barbecues, brunch, sleepovers, and stargazing. Plus, you can prep the ingredients in advance and just mix before serving so it’s incredibly easy to put together!
Color Changing Lemonade (Galaxy Lemonade)
This simple recipe for color changing lemonade gives you a burst of galaxy colors in your refreshing summer beverage. It’s both kid and adult friendly as is, but feel free to spike it as well!
Mallet, blender, or food processor (to crush ice if desired)
Clear glasses
Ingredients
4Butterfly pea flower tea bags
3Cupswater
2Cupsprepared lemonade
Ice cubes
Instructions
Boil the water on the stove or in the microwave and add the butterfly pea flower tea bags to it. Steep for about 30 minutes, until the water is deep blue
3 Cups water, 4 Butterfly pea flower tea bags
Discard the tea bags (or strain out the loose tea) and then pour the tea water into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid (6-8 hours). If you don’t have an ice cube tray, transfer the tea to a container and chill in the refrigerator
(Optional) If you’d like the color change to happen faster, crush some of the ice into varying chunk sizes using a mallet or blender. You want it to be somewhat coarse
Fill some glasses or a pitcher half full with regular ice. Top with the pea flower ice
Ice cubes
Pour in the lemonade. If you don’t have ice cubed tea, gently pour the cooled liquid in on top of the lemonade in an ice-filled glass
2 Cups prepared lemonade
Give it a gentle stir with a spoon or straw to accelerate the color changing effect
Top with additional crushed pea flower ice and a slice of lemon as garnish if desired
Notes
I find butterfly pea flower tea bags to be most convenient. However, you can also use loose leaf tea if preferred and strain it. For a no cook option, use butterfly pea tea powder, which dissolves in water
You can make your own homemade lemonade if you prefer, but you’ll need to use real lemons instead of a powdered mix. I just do equal parts sugar, water, and lemon juice for that (but buying pre-made saves time)
While there are many ways to make color changing lemonade, I think using an ice cube tray to make frozen tea cubes is best. You may want a blender or a mallet to break the cubes up, or you can leave them whole if you don’t have one
Serve in clear glasses for the best visual impact! This galaxy lemonade can be served in short or tall glasses, or even presented in a pitcher or carafe depending how many you’re serving
The ice cubes will turn your fingers blue if you hold onto them for too long. They don’t stain as badly as blueberries, but I’d still avoid hanging onto them unless you want to look like a smurf!
You can prepare the ice cubes up to 1 week in advance, and if you’re making homemade lemonade, up to 3 days in advance. Once you combine them, though, the colors will eventually bleed together and you’ll lose the color changing effect. Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; just don’t expect it to look as exciting
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
