Delphinidin Transition Indicator

Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade

The brilliant color in this drink comes from delphinidin, a brightly-colored anthocyanin. Its color changes from blue in a neutral solution to red in acidic solution and yellow in basic. The lemon juice (pH = 2) in this drink creates a bilayer concoction that swirls to a beautiful purple—perfect for celebrating the transitions in your life! Learn more about the chemistry of butterfly pea flower tea.

Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade

Delphinidin Extraction

2 cups water
8 butterfly pea flowers, 2 butterfly pea flower tea bags, or 1/4 teaspoon of butterfly pea flower powder 

  1. Heat water to boiling. Pour boiling water over the flowers/tea/power in a head-safe container. Steep for 3 minutes or until brightly colored.
  2. Remove tea bags or strain flowers. Let cool. 
  3. Store the liquid delphinidin extraction in the refrigerator. Can be kept for up to a month.

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Delphinidin Transition Indicator

Sparkling/sanding sugar, optional
1/2 cup liquid delphinidin extraction
1–3 tablespoons granulated sugar or preferred sweetener, to taste
4–5 ice cubes. optional
1/4 cup lemon juice, approximately one lemon

  1. Spread sparlking/sanding sugar on a shallow plate. Moisten rim of a tall glass with water or a lemon slice. Dip the rim into the sugar, twisting to coat the rim. 
  2. Add the delphinidin extraction to the glass.
  3. Stir in desired amount of granulated sugar or preferred sweetener. Top with ice, if using.
  4. Gently pour lemon juice into glass. Watch the reaction and enjoy!

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