The Indigo Blue Cocktail is a sip of history, and beauty. Deep indigo blue is a color that has fascinated people for centuries, a hue so striking it once brought immense wealth to colonial South Carolina. Known as “blue gold,” indigo dye was a highly prized commodity that fueled South Carolina’s economy, making it the richest American colony for a time. Its profits even helped finance the American Revolutionary War. However, this prosperity came at a terrible cost, as indigo production relied entirely on the labor of enslaved people. The industry collapsed after slavery was abolished, but indigo’s legacy as a treasured dye endures—even if today it’s largely reproduced synthetically.
This rich history inspired The Indigo Blue Cocktail, a drink that channels the mesmerizing beauty of this storied color. When I discovered a gin naturally infused with butterfly pea blossoms—a flower renowned for its vivid blue hue, I was immediately captivated. Its stunning color, which shifts from deep blue to brilliant purple with the addition of acid, became the perfect foundation for this drink.
Making Indigo Blue
To recreate the enchanting allure of indigo, I paired the gin with a homemade butterfly pea blossom syrup. This syrup captures the vibrant, all-natural blue tint and adds a subtle floral sweetness that balances beautifully with the botanical notes of the gin. A touch of citrus enhances the color transformation and brings a bright, zesty contrast, while complementary ingredients round out the flavor profile.
The result is more than just a drink—it’s a visual and sensory experience that pays homage to indigo’s rich cultural and historical significance. Whether you’re a lover of history, art, or simply great cocktails, The Indigo Blue is a chance to savor a piece of the past in a deliciously modern way.
I hope you find it as mesmerizing and enjoyable as I do! Cheers!
Indigo Blue
Gin, butterfly pea blossom tea, elderflower, curacao and egg white
- Yield: 1 1x
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