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There’s something truly magical about a drink that changes color right before your eyes.
This Witch’s Brew Lemonade is exactly that—a captivating, mystical potion that’s perfect for a spooky soirée.
It’s a conversation starter, a visual delight, and, most importantly, a deliciously tart and sweet sip.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
- 2 fl oz Butterfly Pea Blossom Gin (like Empress 1908)
- 4 fl oz Sparkling Lemonade
- 0.25 fl oz Blue Curaçao
- 0.25 fl oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 Fresh Rosemary Sprig
- Cracked Ice
The Magic Behind the Color Change
That stunning shift from deep blue to purple isn’t just trickery, it’s science, and it’s wonderful.
The butterfly pea blossom gin contains natural compounds that react to changes in acidity.
When the tart lemon juice is introduced, it transforms the entire drink, creating a living, swirling potion in your glass.
How to make Witch’s Brew Lemonade Recipe?
STEP 1
First, grab your favorite highball glass, the taller the better to watch the magic unfold.
Pour in the sparkling lemonade, that blue curaçao, and your freshly squeezed lemon juice.
STEP 2
Now, fill the glass almost to the top with cracked or cubed ice.
Give everything a gentle but thorough stir with a bar spoon for about five to ten seconds.
You’ll see the colors begin to mingle and dance together already.
STEP 3
Here comes the most crucial part, the floating of the gin.
Place the back of a bar spoon just barely touching the surface of the ice and liquid.
Slowly, oh so slowly, pour the gin over the spoon so it layers gracefully on top.
STEP 4
For the final touch, take a fresh sprig of rosemary and give it a gentle slap against your hand.
This releases its wonderful, woodsy aroma, making it the perfect aromatic garnish.
Just place it right on top, and your enchanting brew is complete.
Choosing Your Spirits Wisely
Not all gins are created equal, especially when it comes to this particular potion.
While Empress 1908 is the classic choice for its vivid color change, other butterfly pea gins can work too.
And for the blue curaçao, a good rule of thumb is, the brighter the bottle, the more vibrant your final hue will be.
Tips
For the most dramatic color change, use ice that’s very cold, it helps the gin layer more effectively.
Don’t skip the “slap” for the rosemary, it truly makes a world of difference in the fragrance.
If you stir after the gin is floated, you’ll mix the colors, which is also beautiful, but you’ll lose that layered potion effect.
Creating a Themed Halloween Spread
This lemonade is a star, but it needs a supporting cast for a truly memorable Halloween party.
Pair it with savory finger foods like “mummy” pigs in a blanket or “eyeball” Caprese skewers.
The drink’s vibrant color and magical quality will tie your entire spooky snack table together beautifully.
Why is My Drink Not Layering?
If your gin is mixing in instead of floating, don’t worry, it’s a common hiccup.
The speed of your pour is everything; too fast and it will plunge right to the bottom.
Also, make sure you’re using the bar spoon correctly, it acts as a gentle buffer for the liquid.
A Note on the Sparkle
The choice of sparkling lemonade is more important than you might think.
A good, crisp one adds a lively fizz that lifts all the other flavors and makes the drink feel celebratory.
A flat lemonade will make your brew feel a little, well, sleepy, and we can’t have that for a witch’s potion.
Witch’s Brew Lemonade Recipe
Description
Channel your inner Sanderson Sister with this enchanting Witch’s Brew Lemonade—a Halloween cocktail that stuns with its ombré purple-to-blue layers and bright citrus flavor. Made with butterfly pea blossom gin, blue curaçao, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling lemonade, it’s a magical, effervescent drink perfect for spooky soirées or themed gatherings!
ingredients
Instructions
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Fill a highball glass with cracked ice.
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Add sparkling lemonade, blue curaçao, and fresh lemon juice to the glass.
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Stir gently for 5–10 seconds to combine.
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Using the back of a bar spoon, carefully float the butterfly pea gin on top to create a layered ombré effect.
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Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
Serving Size 1 cocktail
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 130kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Sodium 10mg1%
- Potassium 30mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 12g4%
- Sugars 11g
- Calcium 5 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Color magic: The butterfly pea gin naturally shifts from blue to purple when mixed with acidic lemon juice—creating a mesmerizing gradient.
- No butterfly pea gin? Substitute regular gin and add 1–2 drops of food-grade purple luster dust or butterfly pea tea concentrate for color.
- Non-alcoholic version: Replace gin with tonic water and blue curaçao with blue raspberry syrup (adjust sweetness to taste).
- Make it ahead: Pre-mix lemonade, lemon juice, and blue curaçao. Add ice and float gin just before serving for best layering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the drink change color?
Butterfly pea flower is pH-sensitive—it turns from blue to purple when it contacts acidic ingredients like lemon juice, creating a natural ombré effect.
Can I shake this cocktail?
No—shaking will mix the layers and ruin the visual effect. This drink is built, not shaken, to preserve the gradient.
Is blue curaçao necessary?
It adds both color and orange flavor. If unavailable, use triple sec with a drop of blue food coloring—but the hue won’t be as vibrant.