Golden Gate Fog — San Francisco

Name: Golden Gate Fog — San Francisco
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 serving
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 oz butterfly pea flower tea, cooled; 1 oz elderflower cordial; 0.5 oz simple syrup; 1 oz fresh lemon juice (served on the side); 3 oz sparkling water; Ice cubes; Lemon wheel, for garnish

A misty lavender-grey butterfly pea and lemon drink that changes color — inspired by San Francisco's iconic fog rolling over the Golden Gate.

Recipe guidanceClear ingredients, preparation steps, serving yield, and optional swaps for home mixing.

Prep time

10 min

Total time

10 min

Serves

Difficulty

Easy

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san-francisco world-cup host-city butterfly-pea color-changing blue-purple

Bright & refreshing

A balanced alcohol-free drink built around real citrus and fruit flavor.

Simple ingredients

Easy-to-find ingredients and an approachable home-bar method.

Perfect for occasions

Made for an everyday treat, dinner party, or celebratory pour.

Ingredients

Makes 1 serving. Ingredient quantities update with the selected batch size.

3 oz butterfly pea flower tea, cooled
1 oz elderflower cordial
0.5 oz simple syrup
1 oz fresh lemon juice (served on the side)
3 oz sparkling water
Ice cubes
Lemon wheel, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Prepare the glass
Brew butterfly pea flower tea: steep 1 tablespoon dried flowers in 3 oz hot water for 5 minutes. Strain and cool.
2
Build the drink
Fill a tall clear glass with ice.
3
Add the finishing touch
Pour in the butterfly pea flower tea, elderflower cordial, and simple syrup. Stir gently.
4
Garnish & serve
Top with sparkling water — the drink should be a misty blue-grey.
5
Garnish & serve
Serve with lemon juice in a small pitcher on the side.
6
Garnish & serve
Tell guests to pour in the lemon juice and watch the color change from blue to purple!
7
Garnish & serve
Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Recipe Tips

The color change works because butterfly pea flower is pH-sensitive — acid turns it purple.
Serve the lemon on the side for the interactive 'wow' moment.
Butterfly pea flower tea is available on Amazon — a little goes a long way.

Make It Your Own

For a crowd: Batch the main flavor base by country, keep carbonation separate, and label pitchers so guests can sample more than one team drink.

Easy swaps: Use a fruit or tea in the same color family when a regional ingredient is unavailable. Use lemon or lime based on what best fits the drink's flavor direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I serve several team drinks at one party?

Yes. Use smaller glasses or tasting portions so guests can try multiple countries.

How do I make colors more vivid?

Use clear ice, transparent glassware, and garnish that reinforces the team's palette.

Recipe by

Larry Leo

Recipe guidance

Clear ingredients, preparation steps, serving yield, and optional swaps for home mixing. Check the ingredient list, substitution guidance, and dietary labels before serving.

Recipe record updated: August 26, 2026

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