Sparkling + Color-Changing
Trick or treat? Why decide —This boo-tiful tea-infused Halloween cocktail has it all! While technically it’s just a dressed-up gin and tonic (and therefore easy to make), it’s got plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
First, the gin is infused with Minty Blue tea — a vibrant brew that gets its all-natural dark blue hue from butterfly pea. A blue cocktail that has nothing to do with blue curaçao is special already, but here’s what’s extra special about butterfly pea — it changes color when exposed to acidic ingredients like lemon. So when you add the tonic water (which contains citric acid), the cocktail turns into a vibrant purple.
But wait, there’s more! We also put luster dust in the ice cubes, so as you sip, your cocktail will start to shimmer.
In short — there’s no shortage of tricks or treats with this cocktail. Plus, did I mention it’s easy to make?
Give it a try:
Sparkling + Color-Changing Halloween Tea Cocktail
Makes 2
- 1 bag Minty Blue
- 4 ounces gin
- About 8 ounces tonic water, divided
Supplies:
- Purple, blue, or pearlescent Luster dust
- Ice cube tray
- Optional: 4 hours ahead: Make the ice cubes. Add ⅛ teaspoon luster dust to about 1 ½ cups room temperature water and stir to combine. Pour into an ice cube tray. Let the cubes cool until solid. Totally ok if the luster dust settles to the bottom. (Note: You’ll probably end up with a few extra ice cubes.)
- 1 hour ahead: Steep the gin. Pour the gin into a cup. Add 1 bag of Minty Blue. Cover (to keep debris from getting in the cup) and infuse for about an hour.
- To assemble, remove the tea bag from the gin. Divide the gin between two separate glasses.
- Add a couple of ice cubes to each glass.
- Slowly pour the tonic water on top and marvel as the cocktail changes color before your very eyes. Enjoy the sparkles as you sip!
Recipe Notes
- Be sure to use food-grade luster dust. It’s easy to find online — purple, blue, or pearlescent varieties all work well in this recipe. A small jar typically costs about $10, but it’s a hefty supply that you can use for cocktails, cakes, icing, and any other consumables you’d like to sparkle.
- Want to skip the sparkles? The color-changing effect is still cool; just skip the luster dust.
- Want blue ice cubes, too? Swap brewed Minty Blue tea for the water specified in step 1.
More Fun Tea Cocktails
These ones may not sparkle in the literal sense, but they’re still special:
About the author:
My name is Jessie Oleson Moore. I used to be a minor internet baking celebrity thanks to my former blog, CakeSpy. Now, I’m a freewheeling freelance writer, illustrator, and baking enthusiast. I’m also a new mom, and as such I’m particularly interested in recipes that are easy to make, easy to store, and that my kid will enjoy baking with me, enjoy eating, or both.