A recipe for Butterfly Pea Flower Popsicles! These refreshing popsicles use lemon juice to create two different vibrant colors.
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My daughter recently requested lemon popsicles and we decided to add a bit of color with some dried butterfly pea flowers we had on hand.
The results were so fun with such refreshing flavors perfect for summertime.
In a small pot, simmer the water with sugar until it has completely dissolved. Add the butterfly pea flowers, cover the pot, and set aside for 30 minutes to allow the mixture to infuse.
Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl, then pour halfway up the popsicle molds. Freeze the molds until they are just starting to set, about 1 1/2-2 hours.
Stir the lemon juice and zest into the remaining liquid and pour over the first layer in the popsicle molds to the fill line. Press in the popsicle sticks/covers and continue to freeze until completely set, 4 hours to overnight.
Serve the Butterfly Pea Flower Popsicles straight from the freezer.
Butterfly Pea Flowers
The Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers add a beautiful, natural color to the popsicles with a slightly earthy flavor. They are often used in South and Southeast Asia in desserts and to create a vibrant, caffeine-free tea.
When you stir in lemon juice or another acidic ingredient to change the pH, the color transforms from a deep blue to a brighter purplish/pinkish hue.
The flowers can be found in some larger grocery and specialty stores and on Amazon: Suncore Foods Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers.
A Few Tips
The exact shade and color of the popsicles may differ based on the brand and strength of the butterfly pea flowers.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Adjust the lemon juice more or less to taste. Adjust sugar to taste as well.
I often sweeten popsicles with honey, but used white granulated sugar here to keep the color as clear as possible.
This recipe makes enough for 6 popsicles using this stainless steel popsicle mold (Amazon Link). The yield may vary with different molds.
When straining the butterfly pea flowers, press on the flowers with the back of spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
I like to use a bowl with a spout to easily transfer the mixture to the popsicle molds.
Don’t let the first layer set completely or you won’t be able to add the popsicle stick.
After adding the second layer, freeze the popsicles until frozen through and well-chilled, 4 hours to overnight.
Serve immediately after removing from the freezer.
Looking for more popsicle recipes?
Try my:
- Berry Yogurt Popsicles
- Paletas de Aguacate y Coco (Mexican Avocado and Coconut Popsicles)
- Frosé Sangria Popsicles
Butterfly Pea Flower Popsicles Recipe
Adapted from For the Love of Popsicles
Butterfly Pea Flower Popsicles
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (590 milliliters) water
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (10 grams) dried butterfly pea flowers
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest from 2 lemons
Instructions
- In a small pot, bring the water to a boil.
- Stir in the sugar and simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved, then remove from heat.
- Add the butterfly pea flowers, stir briefly, cover, and set aside for 30 minutes to infuse.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl (preferably with a spout) and use the back of a spoon to press as much liquid as possible out of the flowers.
- Carefully pour the mixture halfway up 6 popsicle molds.
- Transfer the popsicle molds to the freezer to rest until starting to set, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Stir the lemon juice and lemon zest into the remaining mixture in the bowl. The mixture should immediately change to a lighter purple. Cover and refrigerate the bowl until ready to assemble.
- Once the popsicle molds are starting to set, top with the remaining lemon butterfly pea flower liquid in the bowl to the fill line.
- Insert the popsicle sticks/cover and place the molds back in the freezer until completely chilled, 4 hours to overnight.
- Serve immediately after removing from the freezer.
Jamie Roberson
Cannot wait to try these! Tasty and interesting. 😀
Tara
Thank you!