Auntie PuPu's Butterfly

Many people want a drink that looks good in social media. Some of those photogenic cocktails don’t pass the quality or taste test. We assure you that Auntie PuPu’s Butterfly will not only look great in a photo tagged #cheers, but the gin, tea and floral flavors make a very nice sip.

Below left is the pea flower. Pea flowers come in many varieties but it is the butterfly pea flower that is known for its beautiful deep blue tea that changes colors when acid is added. Check out the article on WIKI for more on the flower. Center left is Empress Gin. This gin has exploded in popularity because of its highly herbal flavor and beautiful color changing hues. For the cocktail on this page you don’t need Empress. But giving them credit for making the butterfly pea flower a world wide phenomenon. We made our own tea by ordering the dried flowers online and playing around with how many grams of flowers to brew with water and get a light flavor and strong color. Below Center right is one of the newer versions of Tanqueray gin. The Sevilla Orange variety is smooth with a little extra orange bitter kick. And far Right is Ketel One grapefruit rose vodka. These two herbal spirits mix well with the pea flower tea and a few other ingredients. Get ready to impress your friends.

1.5 ounce Tanqueray Sevilla Orange

1 ounce Ketel One Grapefruit Rose Vodka

1.5 ounce Butterfly Pea Flower tea*

.5 ounce 2:1 Simple Syrup or 1 ounce 1:1 syrup

2 dashes Lavender Bitters

.5 ounce fresh pulp free Lemon Juice (added last)

Combine everything but lemon juice in a mixing glass or shaker with cracked ice of small cubes. Stir very well to allow dilution. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a small dried orange triangle (Cut and orange slice, cut into 6 to 8 smaller pie shaped segments. Press between napkins to dry). Allow each person to pour lemon juice into their cocktail to see the color change.

*Make your own Butterfly Pea Flower team.

Combine 3 cups boiling water in a French press or small sauce pot. Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup dried butterfly pea flowers, stir and allow to sit covered for 5 minutes. Strain into a jar and store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week or two.