As magical as a mood ring, cocktails containing butterfly pea flower are gaining popularity thanks to its wild color-changing abilities. The blossom, which goes by various names, is native to tropical Asia and is a striking blue hue, yet when mixed with other ingredients it can change anywhere from yellow to pink to – most notably – a vibrant purple.
From coast to coast, imbibers can’t get enough of these totally Instagramable drinks. Check out these 8 cocktails from across the U.S. made with butterfly pea flower.
Little Violeta at Geist, Nashville
A drink that’s as vibrant as it is refreshing, the Little Violeta at Geist in Nashville features gin, butterfly pea flower, lemon, pineapple and aloe all topped with a flower, dehydrated lemon and pineapple frond.
311 Jefferson St., Nashville, geistnashville.com, @geistnashville
California Vesper at Boa Steakhouse, West Hollywood
Los Angeles’ Boa Steakhouse may be famous for their cuts of meat, but their cocktails are just as mouthwatering. The California Vesper is a gorgeous drink made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Bulldog Gin, Jardesca White Apertiva, lemon juice, butterfly pea flower syrup, grapefruit bitters and garnished with a small edible flower. The cocktail is served tableside in mini-decanters and when the ingredients are mixed together, a cool color change takes place.
9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, Boasteak.com @boasteakhouse
The Wild Indigo Yander at The Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Celebrating their 150th anniversary, Durham Distillery, the city’s award-winning gin and vodka makers, partnered with several bars in the area to create original cocktails that celebrated something unique about the city. The Wild Indigo Yander can be found at The Durham Hotel, made with Conniption American Dry Gin, White Verjus, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lavender & butterfly pea flower infused Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur and garnished with a lemon peel. The stylish was made to reflect the city’s history as the site of the first textile mill in the south to produce denim
315 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham NC, thedurham.com, @thedurhamhotel
Field of Flowers at Florie’s, Palm Beach, Florida
Florie’s in Palm Beach is famous for its seasonally changing, garden-driven cocktails and aperitifs. Selections celebrate Florida’s abundance of citrus and the versatility of fresh herbs and botanicals sourced from the Resort’s garden. One standout created by mixologist Matthew Dress is the Field Of Flowers made with vodka, lavender syrup, Amaro. lemon juice, mint leaves butterfly pea flower extract and prosecco. Naturally, it is topped with fresh edible flowers.
2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, Floriespb.com, @floriespb
Purple Rain at Madison on Park, San Diego, CA
Prince would be so proud. Down in San Diego at Madison on Park, Danny Kuehner created the lavender-colored Purple Rain cocktail made with Blinking Owl aquavit, Giffard peach liqueur, lemon, egg white, a simple syrup made with butterfly pea flowers and a few drops of CBD oil, which is also believed to have calming properties. And there is a purpose to the purple. One dollar from every Purple Rain sold is donated to the Betty Ford Addiction Prevention Foundation. To learn more about other sites offering addiction assistance, check out this clinic is in Portland, OR.
4622 Park Blvd., San Diego, Madisononpark.com, @madisononpark
The Butterfly Effect at Lockhouse Distillery, Buffalo, NY
The Butterfly Effect is a gorgeous color-changing cocktail found at at Lockhouse Distillery in Buffalo. It’s made using Lockhouse vodka, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, fresh blackberries and mint has a has that cool deep blue to bright purple transition thanks to butterfly flower tea.
41 Columbia St, Buffalo, lockhousedistillery.com, @lockhousedist
Empress Gin & Tonic at Heritage, Woodinville, WA
Although Heritage Restaurant & Bar is located in the heart of Woodinville, Washington wine country, their cocktails are just as stellar. A stunning twist on a classic, the Empress Gin & Tonic is made with Empress 1908 Indigo gin, Fever Tree tonic, butterfly pea blossom infused ice spear and rosemary and features an eye-catching color.
14450 Redmond-Woodinville RD N.E., STE 101B, Woodinville, WA, Heritagewoodinville.com, @heritagewoodinville
Magic Margarita at Yard House
Yard House boasts the “World’s Largest Selection of Draft Beer” slogan and it’s true, they do have a crap ton of beer. But what many people don’t know is that chain’s 75+ restaurants also house a killer cocktail menu. Definitely the most eye-catching drink is the Magic Margarita made with Don Julio silver, bitters, butterfly pea flowers and filtered water, and comes with a little glass of citrus agave. When you pour in the sidecar, the drink goes from a deep purple to a fuchsia pink color. It’s fun to watch…and even more fun to drink. Visit during Happy Hour Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and late-night Sunday through Thursday 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. when the marg is $2 off.
Multiple locations around the U.S.; www.yardhouse.com
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