In the mood for something special, but aren’t sure what type of purple cocktails to make? For the most popular one that makes you think you just stepped into a fairytale.
Here, you’re using grapefruit liqueur and Butterfly Pea Flower tea that not only gives this cocktail a rich, royal blue to purple color but also a deep, slightly tart flavor profile that’s both sophisticated and indulgent, making it a perfect choice for festive occasions or a classy nightcap.
Here’s what you need for this purple drink:
- 2 oz Grey Goose Vodka
- 0.5 oz Grapefruit Liqueur
- 1 oz Butterfly Pea Flower Tea (cooled)
- Optional: Soda water for a lighter version
- Optional: A twist of lemon or grapefruit peel for garnish
Note: For a non-alcoholic or kid-friendly version of the unicorn kisses cocktail, use grapefruit or pineapple juice – you will still get a color-changing cocktail!
1. How to Mix a Pretty Purple Cocktail with Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Step 1: Brew the butterfly pea flower tea and allow it to cool, then pour it into an ice cube tray – feel free to make either one big or multiple ice cubes.
Note: If you want a stronger tea flavor, make it more concentrated; otherwise, a lighter brew will suffice – for this cocktail though, the more concentrated the better.
Step 2: Meanwhile, combine the Grey Goose Vodka and grapefruit liqueur with ice in a cocktail shaker – then shake until everything is well chilled.
Step 3: Once the ice cube is formed, place the ice cube in a chilled tall glass or a wide-brimmed coupe glass, depending on your preference – if you want a more luxurious look, add some sugar on the rim of the glass.
Step 4: Slowly pour and strain the vodka mixture over the ice cubes in the glass – as soon as the acidic mix hits the tea ice cube it will add a beautiful gradient of color as the ingredients interact.
Quick fun fact: Since tea is naturally alkaline, its color shifts when combined with an acid (recall your high school chemistry pH experiments here).
Step 5 (optional): Top this delicious cocktail with a splash of soda water for a fizzy effect and a lighter taste or garnish with a twist of lemon or grapefruit peel to enhance the citrus aroma.
Expert Tips
- To make your experience even better, chill your glass first before adding anything to it
- When preparing the butterfly flower tea, make sure it completely cools down before adding it to the ice cube tray – to speed up the process, put it in the fridge
- When shaking the vodka and liqueur, count to at least 10 to ensure the mixture is well-chilled, which is essential for a refreshing cocktail experience.
- If you want to see a more dramatic color change from the butterfly pea flower tea, add a tiny amount of fresh citrus juice directly to the tea before pouring it into the ice cube tray – the acidity will shift the color from blue to purple in that one spot.
- Depending on your preference, you may adjust the quantity of grapefruit liqueur. Start with the suggested amount and add more if you desire a stronger citrus and sweet profile.
Other Easy Pretty Classic Purple Cocktails
Don’t have the butterfly pea flower tea or don’t like the taste? No problem, here are some other sweet cocktails with simple ingredients – no purple food coloring added and a great addition to a garden party!
Tip: With any of these, feel free to use your favorite brand of vodka – just make sure it’s a high quality one!
2. Purple Rain Cocktail Recipe
Infused with the gentle essence of lavender, this martini is a delicate floral twist on a classic. Why mix it? Because the soothing notes of lavender perfectly complement the bright zing of fresh lemon, creating a sophisticated, garden-fresh flavor profile.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Vodka
- ½ oz Blue Curacao liqueur
- ½ oz Grenadine
- 1 oz Cranberry juice
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Alternatives: Lime juice or pomegranate juice.
How to Mix It:
- In a shaker, combine vodka, blue curaçao, and cranberry juice with ice.
- Shake it until it’s well-chilled.
- Strain into a martini glass (or any big glass) filled with ice.
- Slowly pour the grenadine into the drink – the little shimmer will sink and create a “purple rain” effect.
- Garnish with a lime wheel – or raspberries pierced on a toothpick.
3. Blackberry Sage Smash Recipe
A tribute to Prince, this vibrant concoction combines vodka, blue curaçao, grenadine, and cranberry juice for a sweet and tart taste with a stunning purple hue that captivates the eye as much as the melody captivated our hearts.
Ingredients:
- 6-8 Fresh blackberries
- 4 Sage leaves
- 2 oz Bourbon
- ¾ oz Fresh lemon juice (alternatively, lemon-lime juice)
- ½ oz Simple syrup
- Ice
- Sage leaf and blackberry for garnish
How to Mix It:
- Muddle the blackberries and sage leaves in the bottom of a shaker – be careful not to muddle too hard or you’ll end up with a smoothie.
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice.
- Shake well until the flavors are well combined and the cocktail mixture is chilled.
- Double-strain into an ice-filled rocks glass – if you only strain once, you may end up with blueberry chunks.
- Garnish with a sage leaf and blackberry.
4. Violet Beauregarde Recipe (Violet Blueberry Gin Sour)
Named after the iconic character from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” this cocktail uses crème de violette and gin to create a drink that’s as whimsical in taste as it is in color. It’s a floral, slightly sweet concoction with a distinctive botanical character.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Gin
- ½ oz Crème de violette
- ½ oz Lemon juice
- ¼ oz Simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon or cherry twist for garnish
How to Mix It:
- In a shaker, combine the gin, crème de violette, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
5. The Purple Haze Recipe
A psychedelic mix of vodka, lemonade, and a splash of blue curaçao, this purple haze martini is a visual stunner with its gradient of deep purple color, mimicking a perfect sunset – its refreshing taste with a hint of tangy citrus will have you coming back sip after sip.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Vodka
- 1 oz Lemonade
- 1 tsp Blue Curaçao
- 1 tsp Grenadine
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
How to Mix It:
- Chill your glass first and then fill a glass with ice.
- Add the vodka and lemonade.
- Gently pour the blue curaçao over the back of a spoon to create a layer.
- Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom and create a haze effect.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Ready to make the evening with a perfectly purple cocktail that will mesmerize a lot of people? If you make a signature cocktail from this list, feel free to let us know below!