Deep indigo blue is a fascinating color and responsible for great wealth in colonial South Carolina. In fact, South Carolina was the richest colony for a period of time because of this cash crop. It helped finance the American Revolutionary War, but production was possible only with slave labor and collapsed when it was abolished.
Indigo was commonly referred to as “blue gold”, its dye was cherished and remains so today although produced with synthetics.
The Indigo Blue Cocktail
I too find the extremely beautiful color mesmerizing. When I discovered a gin colored with butterfly pea blossoms, I immediately set about discovering new ways to use it.
With the gin, a home-made butterfly blossom syrup and a few other ingredients we replicate the deep blue color cherished for centuries into a wonderfully delicious drink.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Print
Indigo Blue
Gin, butterfly pea blossom tea, elderflower, curacao and egg white
Ingredients
Butterfly Pea Flower Blossom Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp butterfly pea flower powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
Indigo Blue Cocktail
- 2 oz Empress gin
- 1/4 oz butterfly pea flower blossom syrup
- 1 oz elderflower liqueur
- 1/2 oz blue curacao liqueur
- 1 egg white
- 1 violet orchid blossom – garnish
Instructions
Butterfly Pea Flower Blossom Syrup
- Combine water, butterfly pea blossom powder and sugar in a heavy bottom pot
- Bring it to a boil, lower heat and blend with an immersion blender until well combined
- Remove from heat, cool and refrigerate until ready to use
Indigo Blue Cocktail
- Place the gin, syrup, elderflower and curacao in a shaker. Add the egg white last.
- Dry shake (without ice) vigorously for 45 seconds
- Add 3-4 ice cubes and shake briefly to chill
- Double strain and pour into a coupe glass
- Garnish with an orchid blossom
Notes
- Add the egg white last to ensure you don’t “cook” the egg with the gin
- Do not allow any egg yolk in the shaker, it will prevent the formation of bubbles
- Shake briefly with ice because over shaking with ice will kill the foam