One sapphire ice sphere transforms a simple lychee spritzer into an icy blue showpiece. As the sphere melts, butterfly pea tea colors the drink; a splash of lemon shifts that blue toward violet. The result is sparkling, floral, alcohol-free, and made for a dramatic first sip.
Why This Blue Mocktail Changes Color
Butterfly pea flowers contain natural blue pigments called anthocyanins. They react to acidity, so lemon juice changes the tea from deep blue to purple or pinkish violet. The exact shade depends on the lemon and the strength of the tea.
Use only dried butterfly pea flowers or tea bags clearly sold as food-grade. Flowers intended for crafts or florists may have treatments that are not safe to drink. The tea has a mild earthy flavor, while canned lychee syrup adds the main sweetness and fruit aroma.
This recipe makes two drinks. For more alcohol-free inspiration, browse these refreshing summer drink recipes.
Ingredients for Two Mocktails
- 1 cup just-boiled water
- 1 tablespoon dried food-grade butterfly pea flowers, or 2 tea bags
- 1/2 cup chilled syrup from canned lychees
- 1 cup chilled plain sparkling water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus 2 thin lemon half-moons
- 4 peeled canned lychees, drained
- Two 2-inch silicone ice-sphere molds
- Two cocktail picks
Choose glasses that comfortably hold at least 10 ounces. For a less sweet drink, replace up to half of the lychee syrup with cold water. If citrus is your favorite refresher, this homemade lemonade recipe is another useful base.
Make the Butterfly Pea Ice Spheres
Pour the just-boiled water over the butterfly pea flowers. Steep for 8 minutes, until the tea is saturated sapphire blue, then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
Set the two-cavity mold on a small tray so it stays level. Fill both sphere cavities according to the mold directions, leaving the recommended expansion space. Transfer the tray carefully to the freezer and freeze for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
The tea can stain porous counters and fabric, so wipe splashes promptly. Do not pour hot tea into a mold unless its manufacturer specifically permits hot liquids.
Assemble the Icy Blue Lychee Mocktails
Unmold one frozen blue sphere into each chilled glass. Divide the lychee syrup evenly between the glasses, using 1/4 cup per drink. Slowly add 1/2 cup sparkling water to each glass. Open sparkling water away from your face and pour gently to preserve the bubbles.
Thread two lychees onto each cocktail pick and rest one pick across each rim. Add a thin lemon half-moon. Serve the lemon juice separately, or pour 1 1/2 teaspoons into each glass just before serving. Watch the melting blue tea bloom into lavender and violet, then stir once with a bar spoon.
For a larger gathering, freeze the spheres a day ahead and keep them covered to prevent freezer odors. Mix each drink only when guests arrive so the carbonation stays lively. You can also pair the mocktails with one of these homemade iced tea recipes.
Serve immediately. Refrigerate opened lychees and their syrup in a covered container, following the package storage instructions.