Easy Elegance: Cambodian Breeze
Today, I’m going to show you the only magic trick I know! It’s really just a fun bit of science, but it’s impressive and makes for a great cocktail. Butterfly Pea Flowers come from southeast Asia. I first saw them in Cambodia where they’re used to make a refreshing and vibrantly-colored tea. They’re not difficult to find - I order mine on Amazon!
To start, you simply make some tea. For every 8 oz of boiling water, add 1 tsp. of dried pea flowers and 1 tbsp. of honey. Stir well and allow to steep for about 20 minutes. Remove the flowers and chill the tea until it’s ice cold.
Once your tea is chilled, pour 3/4 of a cup into a glass with some ice, preferably one large cube so that it melts slowly and doesn’t dilute your drink. Add 1.5 oz. of vodka or gin. Now for the fun - stir in 3 tbsp of fresh lime juice and watch the color change!
Lastly, a tiny umbrella and a straw. Time to kick back with your exotic refreshment. Simple, elegant, and no one has to know how easy it was!
The Seasoned Cynic’s Cambodian Breeze
Ingredients:
Dried Butterfly Pea Flowers
Honey
Boiling water
Vodka or gin
Fresh lime juice
Ice
Instructions:
Combine hot water with the dried pea flowers and honey. For every 8 ounces of water, add 1 tbsp. honey and 1 tsp. pea flowers. Steep for 20 minutes. Remove the flowers and chill until ice cold.
Pour 3/4 cup of tea into a glass with a large ice cube. For every serving, add 1.5 ounces vodka or gin, then stir in 3 tbsp. fresh lime juice.
Top off with a straw and a tiny umbrella. Enjoy!