Blue Japanese Lemon Sour Alcoholic Drink Recipe Using Thai Blue Butterfly Pea Flowers

Blue Color-Changing Japanese Lemon Sour

Bring a touch of Japan and a splash of magic to your cocktail repertoire with this Color-Changing Japanese Lemon Sour! This refreshing drink uses Thai Blue Butterfly Pea Flowers to create a vibrant blue Shochu base that transforms to a beautiful violet-pink when combined with lemon juice. It’s a delightful way to elevate the classic Japanese Lemon Sour with a garden-inspired twist.

Watch the video version of this recipe here:

If you’re interested in growing your own Thai butterfly pea flowers, check out my YouTube video growing guide HERE and you can purchase seeds HERE or plants directly from my website HERE.

Ingredients:

For the Butterfly Pea Shochu:

• ¼ cup dried Thai Blue Butterfly Pea Flowers. I grow and dry my own flowers. You can purchase dried flowers from Amazon HERE.
• 3 cups Japanese Shochu. It can be hard to find Japanese Shochu. I find it at ABC Wine & Liquors. Korean Soju is not the same as Japanese Shochu. If your unable to find it, them subsitute Korean Soju or vodka.

For the Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup white sugar or preferred sugar subsitute. I like to use allulose because it doesnt spike blood sugar levels and it is a pre-biotic. I get it from Amazon HERE.

For Each Cocktail:

• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• ¾ ounce cooled simple syrup
• 2 ounces lemon-flavored club soda (or plain club soda)
• 2 ounces of the Thai Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Shochu
• Ice cubes

Directions:

Step 1: Infuse the Shochu

1. Add ¼ cup of dried Thai Blue Butterfly Pea Flowers to a glass mason jar.
2. Pour 3 cups of Shochu over the flowers.
3. Let the mixture steep for at least 4 hours or at room temperature overnight for a deeper color.

Step 2: Make the Simple Syrup

1. Combine 1 cup of hot water with 1 cup of sugar or preferred sugar subsitute.
2. Stir until fully dissolved and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Juice

1. Juice fresh lemons until you have enough for your cocktails.
2. Set the juice aside in a small container.

Step 4: Assemble the Drink

1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Add ¾ ounce of lemon juice and ¾ ounce of the cooled simple syrup to the glass.
3. Pour in 2 ounces of lemon-flavored club soda (or plain club soda).
4. Slowly pour 2 ounces of the infused Thai Blue Butterfly Pea Shochu over the back of a spoon to create a layering effect.
5. Watch the magic happen! The blue Shochu will turn violet-pink where it comes in contact with the lemon juice.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve the drink as-is to showcase the beautiful color gradient.
2. Mix gently before sipping to combine the flavors.

This Color-Changing Japanese Lemon Sour is not just a cocktail—it combines my memories in Japan with my love of gardening. 

Cheers to magical drinks and garden-inspired creations! 🍹🌸

More Recipes That Use Thai Blue Butterfly Pea Flowers

I have a few more recipes that use Thai blue butterfly pea flowers.

Thai Blue Rice Recipe HERE.

Color Changing Magic Lemonade HERE.