To use butterfly pea flowers in gin, you'll need to follow a simple process that involves steeping the flowers in the gin. Here's how you can do it:
1. Gather the ingredients: You'll need gin and butterfly pea flowers. The number of flowers you'll need depends on the quantity of gin you want to infuse. As a general rule, you should use around 10 butterfly pea flowers for every 250ml of gin. Adjust the quantities accordingly based on how much gin you want to infuse.
2. Prepare the jar: Choose a clean and airtight jar that is large enough to hold the gin and flowers. It's important to ensure that the jar is thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to avoid any contamination. You can sterilize the jar by boiling it in hot water for a few minutes or by using a dishwasher if it's dishwasher-safe.
3. Add the gin to the jar: Pour the desired amount of gin into the jar. You can choose any type of gin you prefer, whether it's a classic London dry gin or a more floral or fruity gin. The choice of gin will influence the final flavor profile of your infused gin.
4. Add the butterfly pea flowers: Place the butterfly pea flowers into the jar with the gin. As mentioned earlier, use around 10 flowers for every 250ml of gin. The flowers will release their vibrant blue color when steeped in the gin, giving it a visually appealing hue.
5. Seal the jar and shake: Screw the lid tightly onto the jar to ensure a proper seal. Give the jar a good shake to mix the gin and flowers together. This will help to distribute the flavors and colors of the flowers throughout the gin.
6. Steep overnight: Once the jar is sealed and shaken, leave it to steep overnight or for at least 8-12 hours. This allows the flavors and colors of the butterfly pea flowers to infuse into the gin, creating a unique and visually stunning concoction.
7. Strain and store: After the steeping period, strain the infused gin to remove the butterfly pea flowers. You can use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to ensure that no flower petals or sediments remain in the infused gin. Transfer the strained gin into a clean and airtight bottle for storage.
Now, you have a beautiful and flavorful butterfly pea flower-infused gin ready to be enjoyed. The infusion process imparts a vibrant blue color to the gin, which can be further enhanced by adding citrus juice or tonic water. The acidity of these ingredients changes the pH level of the gin, causing a mesmerizing color transformation from blue to purple or pink. It's a delightful and visually appealing addition to any cocktail or gin-based drink.
Some serving suggestions for butterfly pea flower-infused gin include using it as a base for a gin and tonic, creating unique and colorful gin cocktails, or simply sipping it neat over ice. Feel free to experiment and get creative with your infused gin, adding other botanicals or ingredients to enhance the flavor and aroma. Cheers!