We are so excited to share an amazing new drink recipe with you today! What an honor to learn how to make this Butterfly Tea Lemonade from the Liquid Chef himself, Rob Floyd. It makes for a beautiful presentation, tastes refreshingly delicious, is antioxidant-rich, and refined-sugar free! We even brought it to our Women of Today event at The Vintage Round Top in Roundtop, Texas for guests to try (and it was a BIG hit)!!
One thing we love most about this drink is its vibrant color, because the Butterfly Tea organically creates a beautiful layered effect that turns into a gorgeous lilac hue when combined with the lemonade. Lemonade has an unstable enzyme that reacts off of citrus (acid is key!) and causes this dynamic color shift guests will love! You can either let the tea float on top to create that beautiful ombre effect, or mix it in for a perfect lilac color. And if you want to make this drink a little more ‘adult’, you can definitely add in some alcohol! This tea isn’t hard to find either! You can order if off Amazon.
“I love amazing stories behind any cocktail,” says Floyd. “A drink should always be an experience and have a cool secret behind it, this one definitely has that.”
Rob’s Background Story about this drink:
1001 years ago, Magical creatures roamed the Himapan Forest. One night a young woman named Isra was woken up by a Kinnari, a half bird half woman. The Kinnari took Isra on a journey over the lakes, the forrest and past the temples until they reached the Himapan forrest. There they walked together until Isra spotted a beautiful blue plant. The Kinnari took the plant home with Isra and had it planted by the fence so travelers could enjoy it as a tea to refresh their body and spirit. Also – Isra in Thai means “Nocturnal Journey.”
Ashley Rose of Sugar and Cloth tries our tea at the WOT x VRT event
Butterfly Tea Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4 cups hot water
- 1/4 cup Butterfly Tea leaves
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/3 cups agave
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1.5 oz gin per drink. We used Bulldog Gin
Instructions
- Set aside two pitchers (they should hold 4 cups of liquid each). Make sure they have wide enough necks for stirring. You will be using one for your lemonade, and one for your Butterfly Tea.
- To make your Butterfly Tea, combine 4 cups Hot water and ¼ cup tea leaves. Set aside and cool. Place in one pitcher.
- In the second pitcher, combine 4 cups cold water, 1/3 cups agave, and 1/3 cup lemon juice. Note: If your lemonade tastes more on the tart side, do not worry. This will balance out once blended with the tea.
- Use a highball glass that accommodates around 8 -12 oz to make your first drink. Fill to the top with ice.
- Pour 1/3 cup of your lemonade mixture into the glass, leaving about 2 cm at the top. Pro Tip: This works best with crushed ice!
- Slowly pour in ¼ inch of Butterfly Tea. When pouring, pour directly onto an ice cube to create a fuller effect.
- Add more agave to taste, if desired. Add in gin, if desired.
Enjoy! Beijos xx
Women of Today
