So, About These Color-Changing Margaritas…
You ever have one of those moments when you want to impress your friends but also kind of want to show off just a little? Yeah, that was me the first time I made these color-changing margaritas. My cousin Jen still talks about it—they thought I’d pulled off some sort of cocktail wizardry, but honestly, it’s easier than getting my dog to stop barking at the mailman (which is to say, pretty easy). Oh, and pro tip: don’t spill butterfly pea tea on your white shirt. It stains. Ask me how I know. Actually, don’t.
Why You’ll Love This (Or At Least Have a Good Laugh!)
I make these when I want to turn a regular Thursday into a mini fiesta. My family goes crazy for them because, well, the color change is basically magic for grown-ups. Plus, there’s something about watching the drink shift from blue to purple (or pink, if you add too much lime—don’t panic, it’s still tasty!) that makes you feel like you’re in a quirky science class rather than stuck in your kitchen after a long day. Sometimes I forget to prep enough ice, which used to annoy me, but honestly, these are so fun no one cares if they’re a bit melty.
Ingredients (And Some Swaps I’ve Tried)
- 1 oz butterfly pea flower tea, cooled (I’ve used this loose leaf brand, but any kind works. Tea bags are fine too!)
- 2 oz tequila (Blanco is what I usually grab, but reposado works in a pinch—my uncle swears by it, but I think he just likes saying reposado)
- 1 oz triple sec (Or Cointreau if you’re feeling fancy. I’ve also had success with orange liqueur from the discount store, so don’t sweat it)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (Bottled will do if you’re short on time—just not the neon green stuff, unless you like weird flavors)
- 1/2 oz simple syrup (or skip it if you like things more tart—I do sometimes, but my sister says that’s just me being cheap)
- Ice (however much your heart desires, or as much as your freezer can spare)
- Salt or sugar for rimming (optional—I sometimes forget this step and no one has ever complained)
- Lime wedges and/or edible flowers for garnish (occasionally I use a slice of orange if that’s all I have, which is fine—no garnish police here)
Let’s Make These Magical Margaritas (No Wand Needed)
- First off, make your butterfly pea tea ahead of time. Just steep 1-2 teaspoons (or a tea bag) in about 1/2 cup hot water for 5 minutes, then let it cool. Don’t stress about measuring the water, it’s very forgiving. This is where I usually forget I’m making tea and get distracted by the cat, but it always turns out okay.
- If you want to get fancy, rim your glass with salt or sugar. Just rub a lime wedge around the edge and dip it. I sometimes skip this step when I’m in a hurry. You do you!
- Fill a shaker with ice. Add tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake it like you’re trying to get out some frustration (which, actually, you probably are).
- Strain into your glass over fresh ice.
- Here comes the fun part! Pour the cooled butterfly pea tea gently over the margarita. You can use the back of a spoon if you want a layered look (I usually get bored and just dump it in, but it still looks cool).
- Now, squeeze in a bit of extra lime and watch the color shift! This is where my niece yells, “Do it again!” as if it’s some kind of Snapchat filter in real life.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, or whatever you’ve got on hand. Take a picture, because you’ll want to show this off. (And maybe send it to your group chat, just saying.)
Some Notes I’ve Picked Up the Hard Way
- If your color isn’t changing, it’s probably the lime. Add a bit more juice and give it a gentle stir. Sometimes, oddly, it works better if you don’t stir too much.
- The butterfly pea tea is totally flavorless, so don’t expect it to add anything except magic.
- And, um, don’t wear white. Trust me.
How I’ve Tweaked It (Plus One Fail)
- Once I tried mixing with grapefruit juice instead of lime—it looked nice but was way too bitter for my taste. Maybe you’ll like it, though?
- I sometimes add muddled berries for extra color, but it makes it look less dramatic. Still good, just not as “wow”.
- If you’re not into tequila, vodka works. It’s a little boring, but hey, sometimes boring is what you need.
Do You Really Need Fancy Tools?
Look, a cocktail shaker is nice, but I’ve straight up used a mason jar with a lid. Or even a protein shake bottle (don’t judge—it works!). If you don’t have a strainer, just use a fork to hold back the ice.
Keeping It Fresh (But Honestly, Ours Never Lasts)
If, for some reason, you have leftovers, just keep ‘em in the fridge for a day. The color might mellow out a bit. I think it tastes better the next day, but my husband says I’m imagining things. Either way, it’s still awesome.
How I Like to Serve These (With a Side of Laughter)
We usually bring these out for game night or taco Tuesday. Sometimes I’ll set up a little “color-changing” demo for everyone—gets a bigger reaction than my actual dinner, not gonna lie. Oh, and if you want to go all out, check out these fun margarita glasses I found online. Makes it extra festive.
Lessons Learned (or How Not to Ruin It)
- I once tried rushing the tea cooling step and poured it in while it was still hot—bad move. Melted all the ice and made a watery mess.
- Don’t over-stir after the tea goes in if you want the color swirl; let it do its thing.
FAQ (Because People Always Ask…)
- Is butterfly pea tea safe to drink? Yep! It’s used in all sorts of drinks in Southeast Asia. Just, you know, don’t use the flowers you find in your neighbor’s garden—go for food grade (learned that the hard way after a very itchy day…)
- Can I make this non-alcoholic? For sure. Just skip the tequila and triple sec, up the lime and simple syrup, and you’ve got yourself a magic lemonade. My kids love it!
- Do I need fresh limes? Actually, bottled works if you’re in a rush, but real limes taste brighter. At least, I think so.
- Mine didn’t change color! What gives? Usually, not enough acidity. Add extra lime (or even lemon juice). Also, sometimes I forget and pour the tea in too fast—slows down the magic.
- Can I make a pitcher? Sure can. Just multiply everything, but maybe wait to add the tea and lime until serving so everyone gets the fun color shift.
And there you have it! If you try these, let me know—unless they turn out weird, then maybe don’t mention my name. Kidding! Sort of. For more wild cocktail ideas, I love browsing Liquor.com—so many fun spins on classics. Cheers, friend!
Ingredients
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 1/2 cup butterfly pea flower tea, brewed and chilled
- 1/2 cup silver tequila
- 1/4 cup triple sec
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- Lime slices, for garnish
- Coarse salt, for rimming glasses
Instructions
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1Brew butterfly pea flower tea according to package instructions, then chill in the refrigerator until cold.
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2Rim the edges of four glasses with lime juice and dip into coarse salt to coat.
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3Fill each glass with ice cubes.
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4In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well.
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5Pour the margarita mixture evenly into the prepared glasses over the ice.
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6Slowly pour the chilled butterfly pea flower tea over each margarita. Watch as the color changes when the tea mixes with the citrus. Garnish with lime slices and serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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